John Deere Gator UTV buyer's guide

There is no denying the holy trinity of selling points a UTV offers; fun, practicality and value. But for farmers who bleed green, does the John Deere Gator range tick all three boxes?

Back in 2021, when many ATV providers were forced to withdraw from the Australian market following new safety regulations, the UTV market exploded with many farmers discovering that they are both exciting and practical - who says you can’t mix work and play?

The seatbelt and rollover protection system (ROPS) in UTVs equate to far better safety than an ATV or farm bike, while manoeuvrability and economy exceed that of a 4x4 ute. 

If you’re in the market for a UTV, let’s help you figure out whether a John Deere Gator is the right choice for your farm.

The John Deere Gator range consists of two product lines, across work-focused Utility and fun-injected Crossover options. There is a Turf Gator range, primarily aimed at golf course use, but we won’t touch on those here.

Starting with the heavy-duty Utility range, consisting of the HPX615E and larger HPX815E, they are built on a high-strength hydro-formed steel frame to handle heavy loads. All Utility models have four-wheel drive as standard and feature occupant protection via a ROPS system, with a large cargo box or flat-bed at the rear.

The Crossover range is sportier and more capable across rough terrain, with four-wheel drive as well as four-wheel independent suspension, packing more grunt to get the job done faster. The range consists of two- and four-seater options including; XUV560E, XUV560E S4, XUV590E/M, XUV590E/M S4, XUV825M S4, XUV835M HVAC, XUV835R,  XUV855M S4, XUV865E/M and XUV865M HVAC.

While UTVs are used in an array of applications, from off-road competition like the Finke Desert Race to remote rescue, the four-wheeled machines are most at home on a farm.

The John Deere Gator range, even across its more performance-oriented Crossover models, is skewed towards productivity on a farm when compared with competitor models like the Can-Am Maverick or Polaris RZR - which aren’t designed to do much in the way of ‘work’.

Competitor ranges do include comparative utility models, but the difference is every single John Deere Gator is ready to be loaded up and put to work on your farm. Don’t think they aren’t still fun, though, because a light buggy with a good power-to-weight ratio is a hoot any way you skin it.

If you require a UTV with a proven brand name, a work-focused design and strong dealer support, the Gator might be the UTV for you.

Utility models use a two-cylinder petrol engine in the HPX615E rated at 20hp, and a three-cylinder diesel engine in the HPX815E rated at 20.8hp, with top speeds of 35km/h and 40km/h respectively. Power runs through a dual-range CVT transmission with a 4WD switch to engage the front wheels.

The Crossover range is far more extensive, with small-, mid- and full-size options and various engine and driveline combinations. The entry-level XUV560E and XUV560E S4 (four seater) use a two-cylinder petrol engine producing a modest 16hp and is speed limited to 42km/h.

Higher up the food chain are the XUV835M and XUV835R with HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), which feature a 3-cylinder petrol engine producing 54hp and a higher top speed of 72km/h. The XUV865M and XUV865M with HVAC are powered by a three-cylinder diesel engine producing 22.8hp with a speed limit of 45km/h - but with plenty of torque and a focus on towing capability.

The cargo box across the Gator range starts at 820 x 1209 x 297 (L/W/D) and grows to 1143 x 1320 x 305mm with the deluxe option, with payload ranging from 227kg up to 454kg.

Total payload, when using additional racks or carrying passengers, starts at 408kg and goes all the way up to an impressive 681kg, but of course fitting lights and accessories will reduce carrying capacity.

The towing capacity is as high as 907kg in higher-powered models, with mid-size models receiving a 680kg rating and entry-level Utility models rated at 590kg. While these numbers don’t sound great when compared to what a 4x4 ute can pull, they’re sizable considering these are sub-1000kg vehicles with off-road coil-spring suspension setups.

An array of attachments and implements are available from John Deere, ranging from lights to mapping solutions, and even quick-connecting winches, allowing owners to make their Gator even more practical.

The safety in UTVs is certainly improving, with ROPS and three-point belts fitted as standard, while the stable design also minimises the risk of rollovers.

From a usability perspective, the controls are simple and well thought out in the Gator. Realistically, that is the case across almost all popular UTVs, which are designed to allow anybody to get in and operate them easily and safely.

Of course, there are cheaper options than a John Deere Gator - but that applies to almost all green machinery.

Pricing for the Gator range varies depending on accessories fitted on, but a safe bet would be between mid $20,000 to mid $30,000.

All John Deere Gator UTVs come with a standard basic warranty on the full machine for 12 months/1000 hours.

None of the John Deere Gator models will match the 181hp Polaris RZR Turbo R or bonkers 200hp Can-Am Maverick X3 - both with serious off-road racing pedigree - because they’re a work-focused UTV option.

However, the carrying capacity of the John Deere Gator, at the top end of the range, is on-par with the payloads found in competitor options - hovering within the 450-680kg range. Towing potential is also up there with the best of them, particularly in the diesel models.

If you want 100hp or more, you will have to look at more performance-oriented brands. If you want a serious workhorse with pedigree, that’ll match your tractor if you are so lucky as to own a flashy John Deere, then the Gator is a great choice.