Everything We LOVE (and HATE!) About the Honda Pioneer!

We spent the fall with the 2022 Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Trail Edition. There was plenty to love about the innovative rig, but plenty of letdowns along the way. Here are five things we loved, and five things we didn’t, over our time with the rig!

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[curtclausen]

1.. The nets can roll up or can be taken out which is what most people do.
2.. They can get a little warm sometimes inside when it's hot outside nd your not moving, but who does that/
3.. What do you expect for a 5 seater that is the same size of a standard 3 seater as far as room goes. Well worth the trade off some way to long SxS that you can't even turn around within one city block or get hung up on some rock because it's so long.
4.. The hitch??
5.. No belts means no whiplash when taking off, no belt getting wet and slipping or braking out in the middle of nowhere.
6 .. They have the best resale and are the lowest cost to own and the most reliable. Seen one with 75k miles. Ride red!!

[redcanyonoutdoorquest]

Helpful tip: The nets have a little bungee hook that you can use when you roll the net back, and hook it in a stowed position.
Those nets are incredible when driving through brush and branches insomuch that they keep you from getting slapped in the face by them. Also, I took a roll off a trail in Arizona and those nets kept us from getting stabbed by some big branches.
The DCT does take some getting used to with driving technique.
Thanks for the video.

[LLRD]

How big are your recovery straps that you can’t fit them behind the rear seats? Plenty of room for straps and water there.

[JasonS_IN]

'20 Pioneer 1000-5 here. No UTV rolls off the line in perfect configuration to suit all. There are mods for most all of these complaints. Make it your own!

[Splintermill]

Thanks Richard. Picking up my 23 1000-5 trail Tuesday and can’t wait! I’ve been on something red since I was a kid, and haven’t changed a bit! The bulletproof Honda engineering ALWAYS outweighs little quirks that aggravate the “overly sensitive “ out there. I’ve literally put thousands of hours on various Honda bikes an ATVs and they are unbeatable. Currently own an 06 foreman 500, an 02 xr650r and final piece in the stable gets its new home Tuesday! Can’t wait to put it to work on our home place as well as get the girls out on the awesome Kentucky trails! Ride red!!

[hogwildbowhunter]

Once I seen the fuss about the netting “liability Insurance”. which are removable I was suspect about the review. Listening to this review I think it lacked seat time and familiarity with the feature of the Trail Edition Pioneer 1000-5. Secondly what are they comparing it with in the same class of SxS? OK the netting is removable “shocking”. If you want a true four seater for adults this is likely not that machine ie look at the Talon. This trail edition has FOX adjustable suspension, paddle shifting and rock solid electronic power steering which was not even discussed. The 2022 does not have the heat issues of the past pioneers, it is really only noticeable when crossing water, and it creates steam. I do agree the fold down seats get dirty, yep and they are in the bed! No surprise there. Bottom line this review is not up to snuff. Also I was impressed with the i4WD which I was not expecting it performs really good over all. As one other comment mentioned the Throttle MAX is a must for just about every SxS, really allow a tame control of the throttle. Do your home work and look at other review to determine if this is the machine for you!

[fishsizzle]

Aren't all side by sides really though going to create Heat?

[raymonddurkin]

I'm torn on the 1000-3 vs. 1000-5. I don't expect 4 to 5 people but it's a nice option if that once in a year opportunity comes up. I'm surprised that no one else dislikes the rear roll cage, that looks horrible. The 1000-3 look is perfect.

[rebmaleuqram]

As far as the rear seats go, there is a guy (Rad Customs LLC) who manufactures seat brackets that fit over the existing ones. You source your own seat bottoms and bolt them to the seat brackets. We invested in them and the rear seats are now raised (almost like stadium seating - we sourced RZR seat bottoms) and work amazingly well. They are super easy to install and remove. No worries about knees up under your chin! :) Well worth the investment!

[A-man-]

The con list was a bit silly. Small back seats because it has an aewsome flip down design. Then you complain about it being dirty in the back when you decide to use the aewsome design and turn it into a 2 seater. The back cargo area seems plenty large for recovery straps even with gate up. How many straps are you taking...plus enough room for water bottles etc. Again, seemed like a silly con list.

[freidrichnietzsche]

I really wish more side-by-side manufacturers made long bed versions like the Can-Am defender Pro, which comes with a 6 foot bed and a single cab. If Honda made one of those, I’d be throwing my money at them years ago.

[terryhenry]

The heat problem is real. Glad you talked about that. For me it's the biggest takeaway from the honda pioneer. You'd think they'd at the very least fix that issue at the factory

[LewisMaudlin]

Where can you find one with a roof for $21, 500 new? They want considerably more at my local dealer.

[IDRIDER]

I love how as soon as he dropped the tailgate to complain about the storage, I envisioned my cooler there secured with a ratchet strap.

You get a much shorter wheelbase with this setup which translates to more fun.

[kingrider]

I had many of the same issues and reservations as you so. I had originally wanted the 5 seater even though I didn’t need it for those what if moments and I was ever in a situation that more people wanted to go. After seeing not only how cramped those seats are and all the crap that gets through the bed and to the seats when they are down, I decided I’d buy a 3 seater. I’d also recommend the throttle max to anybody who owns a 1000 pioneer. It really tames the touchy throttle.

[ashleymalone]

I love the fact that you're being super critical of the short comings. I believe in honest opinions and opinions are always changing base dupon user and situations. There is NO perfect SxS for everyone. That vehicle just cant be made. You cant please everyone. But hitch chains? How far are you pulling a large load on a trailer wirh a SxS that that should be a concern?

[JohnDoe-nywp]

If he had to walk, he'd love EVERYTHING about it.

[joshuanuss]

I kind of feel you are complaining about something that is known going into when you purchased it. The combo back seat and bed, you known. I’m the same size, I didn’t not find it cramped or too hard to get in the back. No storage when rear seats are in use. You known.

[fatray]

I enjoy that the shortcomings were so few that this dude spent 5 minutes reaching as hard as he could.

[jasond]

I've never heard anybody say they want slop or slack in a drivetrain wow