Innovative Side-by-Side Vehicles Dominate Australian Agriculture at FarmFest 2025

Side-by-side vehicles (SSVs) are rapidly becoming essential tools on Australian farms, a trend heightened by a mandatory safety standard introduced in 2021 requiring new quad bikes to have rollover protection structures. This regulation prompted many major ATV manufacturers to exit the Australian market, citing incompatibility with their designs and liability policies.

The shift in regulation has led to the accelerated adoption of SSVs, which are equipped with safety features like rollover protection structures and seat belts, providing greater stability and security.

FarmFest Insights

At this year’s FarmFest, Beef Central and Grain Central engaged with various companies showcasing their side-by-side vehicles to understand their agricultural applications, evolution, and future potential.

“They’re a Hell of a Tool”

Bill Stanway from the Toowoomba Honda dealership, Elite Motorcycles, indicated that farmers utilize SSVs for a multitude of functions, including transporting gear, spraying weeds, and carrying hay. He stated, “They are essential tools, offering protection from the sun and enhancing safety.” Many longstanding farmers have already expressed regret for delaying their decision to transition from quad bikes to SSVs.

Bill Stanway from Elite Motorcycles Toowoomba with the Honda Pioneer 1000-6 six seater.

One of the standout vehicles at the Elite Motorcycles stand was the Honda Pioneer 1000-6 six-seater, which has attracted buyers like rural property agents for property tours. These vehicles are also gaining traction among renewable energy, oil, and gas companies as effective people movers, as well as for recreational activities like pig hunting.

Evolution of Side-by-Sides

Recent years have seen some inflationary pressures affecting side-by-side vehicle prices, with many models now priced significantly higher than a few years ago. However, the unique versatility and capabilities of SSVs continue to position them as attractive options compared to utes, especially for agriculture.

Safety advancements have also been notable, including enhanced rollover protection features, improved suspension systems, wider wheelbases, and vehicles specifically designed for limited speeds of 40 km/h.

Additionally, power steering has become a standard feature. Pat Walsh from Kawasaki commented, “The suspension has improved; they all boast significantly better ride quality than models from a decade ago.”

Another innovative feature is the additional row of pop-up seats integrated into some Honda SSV trays, allowing flexibility in capacity while maintaining safety standards.

The Future of Side-by-Sides

As SSV prices continue to rise, there’s a growing demand for more affordable models. This could lead to manufacturers focusing on producing smaller SSVs that align closely with the quad bikes they’re replacing.

CFMOTO has launched the UFORCE E, marking its entry into the electric off-road vehicle market.

Emerging alternatives, like the electric CFMOTO UFORCE E and Polaris’ Ranger XP Kinetic, are set to reshape the market as sustainability becomes a higher priority for many farmers. These electric models offer additional advantages in terms of noise reduction, which is particularly beneficial for hunting.

A New Option: The Six-Wheeler

The Can-Am Outlander has been pitched as a lower-cost alternative to side-by-side vehicles, retailing at $18,000.

The six-wheeled Can-Am Outlander, initially designed for boggy conditions, is now being recognized as a cost-effective alternative to SSVs, enhancing its appeal in the evolving agricultural landscape.