The Honda Talon is one of the amazing side-by-side options that surely keep getting better. But when you are picky, another choice will surely lure you- the Polaris RZR. Therefore, our attempt to compare all the side-by-sides has led us to compare these two incredible vehicles.
So, what should you know about Honda Talon vs RZR? Both are very good off-road vehicles, but RZR stands out for its speed, performance, and stability. Whereas Talon is good for the design, and good upgrades.
We have found more interesting information regarding these two. Now we will share the bits of what we have found while comparing the side by sides. Let’s begin!
Honda Talon Vs RZR: Side-By-Side Comparison
Honda Talon is well-known for the variety of options that are present in the lineup, but Polaris RZR is not behind that too. Although RZR has more popularity in the UTV world, Talon has some extraordinary features to offer too. Comparing these two is not easy as both the vehicles provide fantastic service and have driven the UTV market crazy.
But now, let’s look at the broader aspects to understand which one will best fit your requirement.
Engine Details
The Honda Talon series has excellent UTV options like the Honda Talon 1000X and 1000R. Both the vehicles have a 999cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin four-stroke engine with 104 HP. They come with an electric starter and a full transistorized ignition system.
On the contrary, the Polaris RZR lineup comes with a Polaris’ 2.0L ProStar Fury four-cylinder engine that offers 225 HP and 152 lb-ft of torque. Although both vehicles have a very similar engine layout, Polaris is a clear winner here with the extra power.
So, regarding engine power and speed, you would love to prefer the RZR series more than a Talon.
Here are the elaborate specs for both engines:
| Specs | Honda Talon | Polaris RZR |
| Engine type | Liquid-Cooled Parallel-Twin Four-Stroke Engine | Polaris’ 2.0l Prostar Fury Four-Cylinder Engine |
| Displacement | 999 | 999 |
| Ignition System | Full Transistorized | ECU |
| Bore x Stroke | 92.0 MM X 75.15 MM | 93 MM X 73.5 MM |
| Transmission | Automatic DCT W/ 6 Speeds + Reverse, High/Low Sub-Transmission | Cvt Transmission |
| Power steering | Electronic Power Steering | Electronic Power Steering |
Note: Honda Talon has some serious engine problems
Power
As you can see from the engine specs, the RZR lineup is more powerful than the Talon lineup. As the Polaris 2-Seat Pro R gives you 225 HP, this is more than what you can ask from any UTVs. But the Talon can offer only 104 HP at max, so grabbing the Polaris RZR when you need more power is a wise decision.
However, if you compare the top speed between these two, the Talon gives you approximately 75 mph depending on the model, and a Polaris RZR can get up to 80 mph.
Although the speed and performance depend a lot on the driver, it still is evident that RZR is the winner here.
Strength & Performance
Both of the UTVs provide good balance and handling capability on the road. However, you will get a strong driveline with robust shafts and knuckles from RZR. The cooler system helps a lot in regulating the produced heat which adds up to the performance.
Again, Talon comes with a dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The transmission system makes the vehicles provide direct power so you can handle off-road driving better. In this case, Polaris lacks a little bit in off-road driving but the drawback is not that significant.
Tires
The youth-size Polaris RZR 170 has a bolt pattern of 4/110 inches and other editions come with a bolt pattern of 4/156. And the tire measurement is 29×9-14 in the front and 29-11-14 in the back for The Polaris RZR 1000, Polaris RZR 4 1000, and Polaris RZR XP Turbo.
When it comes to Honda Talon, the bolt pattern for every wheel is 4×136. But the wheels also support a bolt pattern of 4×137. The tire front size for Talon 1000X is 28x9x15 and for 1000R, it is 28x9x15. The rear tire size for both the models is respectively 28x11x15, and 28x11x15.
Design
Talon comes with a more sophisticated design and the seats are nicer than RZR. The interior is very comfortable and contains enough space. However, some people love the design of RZR too. Whereas, both of them are built out of dynamic chassis to handle better off-road situations.
Capacities & Storage
Capacities and storage are the priority when choosing a UTV. So let’s see what these two offer:
| Specs | Polaris RZR | Honda Talon |
| Fuel Tank | 9.5 GAL. | 7.3 gal. |
| Towing Capacity | 1500 LBS. (680 KG) | 1500 LBS |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 2.75 Quarts | 6.1 Quarts |
| Cargo Box Bed Load Capacity | 300 LBS. (136 KG) | 299 LBS. |
The Pros And Cons Of The Polaris RZR
Polaris RZR have got vast recognition for what they offer in their UTVs. People have gone crazy over it, and it’s not overrated at all. The multipurpose functionality, speed, design, and reasonable pricing are all worth the popularity.
Another upside of the RZR lineup is that they offer extraordinary towing capacity that you don’t get from any of the UTVs. The customization options are also alluring. Besides, it comes in the perfect shape that does not take up much space.
However, as the downsides, we must mention that the radiator might get clogged due to overheating. This is not a common problem, and you can quickly fix it by following proper maintenance.
Note: Polaris RZR has some serious problems
The Pros And Cons Of The Honda Talon
The Honda Talon is popular for its look and design. The innovative look will surely impress you. You will get remarkable control and performance from the vehicle. Moreover, it is constantly upgrading the lineup.
Reliability is the brand value of Honda, so you will definitely get that from your Talon. Also, the seats have embedded airbags for safety during the ride. Talon is definitely a good choice for going off-road.
The primitive downsides that we found were relatively poor acceleration and performance than the other popular UTVs. Obviously, the lineup was very hyped due to the release from Honda, but it is not worth the price if you compare the features and service with other similar options.
Verdict:
As you can see, both of the UTVs come with almost the same engine layout, but the RZR offers more horsepower which is definitely a plus. However, the Talon is more upgraded over time and has many advanced features. Although, in terms of cost, Talon is more costly than RZR.
So, if you consider the speed and everything, Polaris RZR is surely the winner here.
Further Information To Know:
Is The Honda Talon Good?
This vehicle is good for stability and comfort. The design is top-notch as well. So if you don’t care much about the handling or speed, you can get this one. The design is innovative and this lineup is constantly improving.
How Fast Will A Honda Talon Go?
You can get up to 75mph from your Talon. Although, the speed depends a lot on the driver and your maintenance.
Is The Honda Talon Loud?
All the UTVs are pretty loud, so Talon is too. As it doesn’t have any sound insulation, the loudness may bother you. However, almost all the UTVs cause noise so you can’t help it.
How Far Can A Honda Talon Go On A Tank Of Gas?
You can easily go 100 and 140 miles with a single tank of gas. The fuel efficiency here is a real deal, and you will surely love it.
How Fast Is Polaris RZR?
You can get up to 90MPH from the RZR which is a lot considering what most of the UTVs offer. Not only the speed, but you will also get the performance alongside it too. So it is a total win-win situation.
Drawing To A Closure
From our experience and comparison of Honda Talon vs RZR, it is pretty clear that both of the vehicles are very good at what they offer. However, considering everything, RZR has always been the best out there in the market. So our satisfaction was mostly from its speed and performance.
Nonetheless, Talon is a very unique and innovative lineup from Honda in the UTV market. So you can surely shoot for this one if you are into the design.