The Complete Guide to Gas ATVs & UTVs
Few machines earn their keep the way a gas ATV or UTV does. The same quad that teaches a ten-year-old to ride on Saturday hauls feed and firewood on Sunday. The same side-by-side that carries the family down a trail in summer gets you to the deer stand before dawn in November.
That versatility is also what makes buying one confusing. Engine sizes, transmission types, drivetrains, seat counts, and youth safety features all matter, and the right answer depends entirely on who's riding and what the machine needs to do. Our collection covers 25 gas ATVs and UTVs from Tao Motor, TrailMaster, and Coolster, from a $1,049 youth quad to an $11,499 six-seat 4x4 — all currently in stock. This guide walks through how to choose. If you'd rather talk it through, contact our experts or call (888) 884-2234.
ATV or UTV: Start With the Platform
Before engine size or brand, decide which kind of machine you need.
An ATV (quad) is ridden straddle-style by one person, steered with handlebars, and controlled partly by shifting body weight through turns. ATVs are narrow, nimble, and fit trails a side-by-side can't. They're the right choice for solo riders, youth riders, tight wooded trails, and anyone who enjoys the physical side of riding. With very few exceptions, single-rider ATVs are designed for one person only — carrying a passenger on a machine not built for it is one of the leading causes of ATV injuries.
A UTV (side-by-side) has a steering wheel, seats, seat belts, and a protective frame, and carries two to six people. UTVs are more stable, carry cargo, and feel closer to driving a small truck. They're the right choice for families, hunting parties, farm and property work, and riders who want passengers along.
The simple test: if more than one person needs to ride at once, or you'll regularly haul heavy loads, buy a UTV. If it's one rider at a time and the priority is fun or trail access, buy an ATV.
Matching the Machine to the Rider
Young beginners. Start small and slow. The TrailMaster Mini Sport 110cc ($1,049) is built for this rider, with remote start/kill, a speed governor, and 6-inch wheels. The Tao Motor Rock 110, Tao Motor 110 Cheetah, Tao Motor Boulder, and Tao Motor Mudhawk 6 are other entry points. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that children under 16 never ride adult-sized ATVs, so resist the urge to buy big for a child to grow into — a quad that's too large is one they can't control.
Older kids with some experience. The 120cc to 125cc class adds capability while staying manageable. The TrailMaster F125 (8-inch wheels) and TrailMaster Lander-XD 125UF are both rated for ages 9 to 12 and are automatics with reverse. The TrailMaster R125, Tao Motor D125, Tao Motor TForce (T125), T-Force Platinum, Cheetah Platinum ATC, and Mudhawk 10 round out this group — the Mudhawk 10 with remote shut-off.
Teens and adults. Step up to 150cc to 200cc. The Tao Motor Bull 150, Bull 200S, and Rhino 250 (a 200cc four-stroke) cover trail riding, and the Coolster 3200S adds hydraulic disc brakes for stronger stopping. For work around the property, the Tao Motor G200 and Coolster 3200U are utility-focused adult machines.
Families and crews. Move to a UTV. The compact Tao Motor 200 U(EFI) is the entry into side-by-sides. TrailMaster's Challenger 300E adds liquid cooling, the Challenger 300EX seats four with shaft drive, and the Taurus 450GX, Taurus 450-GV (four seats), and Taurus4 450GV (six seats) bring 4x4 with high/low gearing for serious terrain and work.
Whatever the machine, check the manufacturer's age and weight ratings on the product page and make sure the rider can reach the controls comfortably while seated.
Youth Safety Features Worth Paying For
If you're buying for a child, these features matter more than horsepower.
Remote shut-off. A handheld fob lets a parent kill the engine from a distance if a young rider panics, heads somewhere unsafe, or simply won't stop. The Tao Motor Mudhawk 6 and Mudhawk 10 include one, and the TrailMaster Mini Sport 110cc adds remote start as well. For a first quad, this is arguably the most valuable feature on the machine.
Speed governor. An adjustable limiter caps top speed so a beginner can't outrun their skills. Start restricted and open it up as the rider improves.
Automatic transmission. Removes clutch and shifter control from the learning curve entirely, letting a new rider focus on steering, braking, and body position.
Reverse. Lets a young rider back out of trouble instead of trying to wrestle a heavy quad around by hand.
Reading the Spec Sheet
Displacement (cc). Engine size in cubic centimeters, and the rough indicator of power. In this collection it runs from 110cc youth quads to 450cc UTVs. Bigger isn't automatically better — match it to the rider and the job.
Four-stroke engines. The machines here use four-stroke engines, which run on straight gasoline (no oil mixing), deliver smooth, predictable power, and are generally quieter and more fuel-efficient than two-strokes.
Transmission. Automatics with reverse are the easiest to ride and are common across youth and utility models. Check each product page for specifics.
EFI vs. carburetor. Electronic fuel injection starts more reliably in the cold, adjusts to altitude, and avoids carburetor cleaning. The Tao Motor 200 U(EFI), TrailMaster Challenger series, and Taurus 450GX use EFI. For machines that sit for weeks between rides, it saves real hassle.
Cooling. Liquid-cooled engines, like the Challenger 300E, manage heat better under sustained load and in hot weather than air-cooled engines, which matters on long rides and hard work.
Drivetrain. Most youth and entry ATVs are two-wheel drive, which is fine for yards and packed trails. 4x4 sends power to all four wheels for mud, snow, sand, and steep climbs, and high/low gearing adds a low range for crawling, towing, and controlled descents. The Taurus 450 series offers both.
Shaft drive vs. chain drive. A shaft drive, used on the Challenger 300EX, is sealed and needs far less maintenance than a chain, which must be cleaned, lubricated, and adjusted.
Brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes, like those on the Coolster 3200S, offer stronger, more consistent stopping than drum or mechanical brakes.
Wheel size. Larger wheels roll over roots, rocks, and ruts more easily. On youth quads, wheel size also tracks with the rider — 6-inch wheels on the Mini Sport, 7-inch on the R125, 8-inch on the F125.
Starting. Electric start, found on models like the Coolster 3200U, spares riders from pull-starting — a genuine convenience, especially for kids.
The Brands
Tao Motor. The largest line in our collection with 14 models, spanning youth quads, adult sport and utility ATVs, and a compact UTV. Tao Motor's youth range is particularly deep, from 110cc starters through the 120cc to 125cc Mudhawk, T-Force, Cheetah, and D125 models, which makes it easy to find the right fit at nearly any age.
TrailMaster. Covers both ends of the market: affordable, feature-rich youth quads like the Mini Sport 110cc, R125, F125, and Lander-XD 125UF, and a full side-by-side range from the Challenger 300E and 300EX to the 4x4 Taurus 450 series in up to six-seat configurations.
Coolster. Two 200cc adult machines — the 3200S sport ATV with hydraulic disc brakes and the 3200U utility ATV with electric start — both automatic with reverse.
Price Tiers
$1,049 to about $1,950: youth quads. The TrailMaster Mini Sport 110cc, R125, F125, and Lander-XD 125UF, and Tao Motor's Rock 110, Boulder, Mudhawk 6 and 10, D125, TForce, T-Force Platinum, 110 Cheetah, and Cheetah Platinum ATC.
About $2,200 to $3,000: adult ATVs. The Coolster 3200U and 3200S, and Tao Motor's Bull 150, Bull 200S, Rhino 250, and G200.
About $4,100 to $7,100: entry and mid-range UTVs. The Tao Motor 200 U(EFI), TrailMaster Challenger 300E, and Challenger 300EX.
About $9,200 to $11,500: 4x4 UTVs. The TrailMaster Taurus 450GX, Taurus 450-GV, and Taurus4 450GV.
Putting One to Work
A utility ATV or UTV pays for itself quickly on acreage. Common jobs include hauling feed, tools, firewood, and fencing supplies; checking fence lines and livestock; pulling small trailers and implements; clearing snow with the right attachments; and getting gear and hunters to stands and blinds before daylight.
For hunters in particular, a machine that can carry a stand, a cooler, and a harvested animal out of the field changes the whole season. Pair yours with our hunting equipment, treestands and hunting blinds, wildlife feeders, hunting accessories, and coolers. For weekend trips, add camping equipment and tents.
Where You Can Ride
Most ATVs and UTVs are designed for off-road use, and that shapes where they belong.
Private property is the most common and simplest place to ride, with the landowner's permission.
Off-highway vehicle (OHV) areas and trail systems are built for these machines, though many require registration, trail permits, or stickers.
Public roads are generally off-limits. Some states and towns allow UTVs on certain roads when properly equipped and registered, but rules vary widely and change over time.
Youth riders may face additional requirements, including safety courses in some states.
Check with your state DMV or DNR and local authorities before riding anywhere other than private land.
Riding Safely
Wear the gear, every ride. A DOT-certified helmet, goggles or face shield, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, and long sleeves and pants. Youth riders benefit from chest protectors. See our off-road accessories.
Respect the passenger rules. No passengers on single-rider ATVs. On UTVs, everyone wears a seat belt and keeps arms and legs inside the cab.
Size the machine to the rider. Follow manufacturer age ratings, and keep children under 16 off adult-sized ATVs.
Supervise young riders. Adult supervision isn't optional for kids, and remote shut-offs make it far more effective.
Take a course. ATV safety courses are widely available and worth taking regardless of whether your state requires one.
Stay off pavement. ATV tires and suspension are designed for dirt, and handling on pavement can be unpredictable.
Maintenance and Storage
Oil and filter. Change on the manufacturer's schedule. It's the single most important thing you can do for engine life.
Air filter. Clean or replace often, and much more frequently in dusty conditions. A clogged filter robs power and can damage the engine.
Tires. Check pressure before every ride. Off-road tires run at low pressures, and small differences affect handling.
Chain. On chain-driven machines, keep it clean, lubricated, and properly tensioned. Shaft drives need far less attention.
Brakes and bolts. Inspect brakes regularly and check fasteners after hard rides.
Cooling system. On liquid-cooled models, check coolant levels.
Winter storage. Add fuel stabilizer or drain the fuel system, keep the battery on a maintainer, clean the machine thoroughly, and store it somewhere dry. Carbureted engines in particular suffer from fuel left sitting over winter.
Your owner's manual is the final word on service intervals.
Gas or Electric?
Gas is the right choice for teens, adults, work around the property, long days on the trail, and anyone who needs to carry passengers or haul loads. It offers more power, more range, and five-minute refueling.
Electric makes sense for younger kids and neighborhood backyards, where quiet operation, no fumes, and minimal maintenance matter most. Compare our electric ATVs and electric go karts.
Many families end up with both: an electric machine for the youngest riders and a gas quad or side-by-side for everyone else.
Delivery
Units ship directly to your door. Check the product page for delivery details and any setup required, and contact us with questions before ordering.
Explore More Powersports
Not sure which machine fits? Contact our experts or call (888) 884-2234 with the rider's age, size, and experience, and how you'll use it, and we'll help you choose.
