CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS UTV 2023 Review

The year is 2022 and, in Australia, new ATV (all terrain vehicle) models are hard to come by, following the introduction of mandatory Operator Protection Device (OPD) fitment. The contentious law sparked a mass exodus of some of the biggest players in the quad bike market, including the likes of Yamaha, Suzuki, and Polaris, among others.

With the ATV market now but a sliver of its former self, farmers are naturally turning their attention to alternatives such as side-by-sides. Though pricier and bulkier than quad bikes, side-by-sides (also known as utility vehicles, or UTVs) offer so much more in almost all areas, including capacity, comfort and safety.

CFMOTO is one of few remaining manufacturers to offer both ATVs and UTVs in the Australian market, a fact it’s only too happy to promote. Last year, the company released a flurry of new models spanning utility and sport side-by-sides, as well as several new quad bikes to fill the decimated ATV market.

One of its newest UTV models – the 2022 CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS – sits at the base of the range, while offering all the essentials required of a solid farm vehicle. Farmmachinerysales put the newcomer through its paces at a recent media launch and demo day in Melbourne.

The CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS replaces the CFMOTO UFORCE 550 EPS but the company says the new model offers so much more, including a more powerful engine, a major lift in tech, more features and improved handling and performance.

Powering the machine is a 580cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, SOHC engine with a maximum output of 41hp and 62Nm, representing a 3hp increase over its predecessor.

When working around livestock and animals, engine noise should be minimised to keep the animals calm and settled. And while it’s not the quietest, engine noise on the CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS wasn’t too bad, as I was still able to hear what was going on around me both inside and outside the vehicle.

The CFMOTO UFORCE 600 has a 680kg tow capacity and 280kg load capacity, allowing farmers to carry a decent amount of cargo. While not the best or most hefty in its class, it is still capable of towing a small trailer with some firewood in it, for example.

However, we’ll have to take CFMOTO’s word for it on these aspects, as we didn’t have the opportunity to load the vehicle up or tow a load during our test session.

In any case, one aspect we did appreciate was how the rear tray can be tilted for easy unloading of cargo such as wood or hay bales, eliminating the need for operators to physically lift the load out of the vehicle every time.

One of the more notable features of the CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS, according to CFMOTO, is its electronic engine braking system, or hill descent control, which gives operators peace of mind when descending steep hills.

When activated, the system applies the brakes automatically to slow the vehicle’s descent, so operators don’t need to keep applying the brakes themselves. While instilling confidence and security, the feature is also said to minimise wear and tear on the brakes.

Another headline feature is the CFMOTO UFORCE 600’s rear limited slip differential, which promotes a tighter turning circle while reducing the chance of the vehicle sliding and cutting up the grass when accelerating and turning.

A tighter turning circle means easier navigation through narrower farm gates or between rows of crops, for example.

Our test session was conducted on fairly flat grounds save for some artificial bumps installed purely for the demo day, so we weren’t truly able to put the vehicle through the wringer to gauge its full potential.

In a similar vein, there were no hills on which we could assess its electronic engine braking system, although we can vouch for the model’s compact turning circle, which was surprisingly tight given the UTV’s longer wheelbase compared to an ATV.

A CVT transmission delivers smooth progress, allowing the CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS to accelerate and decelerate without any of the jerking and jolting sometimes experienced in other similar vehicles. It’s a point that won’t be lost on farmers, whose activities often involve plenty of slow-speed, stop-and-start work – like when herding livestock, for example.

And our test model’s electronic power steering makes steering and controlling the vehicle a largely effortless exercise.

As to driving the vehicle, there really is nothing else to it other than turning the key, putting it into gear and putting your foot to the pedal. No real difference compared to driving an automatic car, meaning just about anyone can hop in and drive it.

While this UTV has been marketed for both work and fun, in reality the CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS is ideal as a utility vehicle and driven at a workmanlike pace, not flat out as you would a sport side-by-side. While it has sufficient pace to get you across the paddock in good time, it’s not a competition model, and treating it as one only risks harm to both the machine and driver.

A key difference between a UTV and an ATV is the former has a roof over the vehicle, offering some protection to the driver and passenger from falling objects, or in the event of a rollover.

In addition, CFMOTO’s UFORCE 600 EPS has safety belts and side nets too, and all these features make this UTV far safer than your average quad bike.

The CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS has a wide bench seat which comfortably seats two, making it perfect for ferrying workers or family members around to help out on the farm. I particularly like how the seats are padded, offering better shock absorption compared to plain plastic seats, and therefore more comfort over a long day’s work.

The CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS has several storage spaces including glove compartments as well as a compartment under the bench to store tools, clothing, or just about anything else one may need for use on the farm. According to CFMOTO, the combined storage space is a commendable 100 litres.

Affordability is a key CFMOTO selling point and with a price tag of $14,990, we think the CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS represents great value for money.

It comes standard with a great range of tech and features but can be optioned up with a wide range of accessories including full doors, windshields, protector bars on the front and sides and more.

We think it’s a great vehicle to handle most tasks and conditions a farming operation may throw at it, while still providing some good old-fashioned fun for both driver and passenger.

With affordable UTVs with great specs like the CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS, farmers may finally be able to move on from their quads and graduate to the bigger, safer and more comfortable UTVs without having to put a major dent in their wallets.