The two most-selling ATV companies currently are Yamaha and Polaris respectively. They both are fairly popular among users and both of them have received very low amounts of complaints on the performance of their ATVs.
Nothing compares to the expansive sensation you receive from a Sportsman. The strength, grip, and surface clearance to controllably navigate even the most challenging terrain. But Yamaha always wins over their competition because of their reliability and long-standing service.
So, we will take the Yamaha Grizzly EPS and Polaris Sportsman 850 side by side and compare them to see which one is better. We chose these two models over various models that they offer because these two are priced very closely.
The main differences between 2023 Yamaha Grizzly EPS vs 2023 Polaris Sportsman 850 are their engines, weight, horsepower, payload capacity and towing capacity. The Polaris Sportsman 850 comes with a more powerful engine despite having a comparatively low price point. It also holds two cylinders.
Yamaha Grizzly EPS vs 2023 Polaris Sportsman 850: Quick Comparison
We are putting the differences and similarities between 2023 Yamaha Grizzly EPS and 2023 Polaris Sportsman 850 side by side in the table mentioned below so that you can see them yourself.
| Features | Yamaha Grizzly | Polaris Sportsman |
| Engine Type | 686cc liquid-cooled SOHC 4-stroke | ProStar SOHC 4-Stroke Twin Cylinder |
| Horsepower | 45 HP | 78 HP |
| Vehicle weight | 648 lbs | 767 lbs |
| Payload Capacity | 310 lb | 575 lb |
| Ground Clearance | 11.3 in | 12 in |
| Fuel Delivery | Yamaha Fuel Injection (YFI), 44mm | Electronic Fuel Injections |
| Brakes (Front/Rear) | Dual hydraulic disc | Single Lever 3-Wheel Hydraulic Disc with Hydraulic Rear Foot Brake |
| Dimensions | 81.5 in x 48.4 in x 49.3 in | 83.25 x 47.6 x 50.75 in |
| Fuel Capacity | 4.8 gal | 5.25 gal |
| Towing Capacity | 1322 lb | 1,500 lb |
| Warranty | 6 Month (Limited Factory Warranty), 10-Year V-Belt Limited Warranty | 6 Month Factory Warranty |
| Price | 11,399 USD | $10,699 |
Yamaha Grizzly EPS vs Polaris Sportsman 850: Detailed Overview
Now, we will be discussing broadly about the main differences and similarities between the 2023 Yamaha Grizzly EPS and 2023 Polaris Sportsman 850.
Engine Type
The Yamaha Grizzly comes with a 686cc liquid-cooled SOHC 4-stroke single cylinder engine.
The Polaris Sportsman comes with a ProStar SOHC 4-Stroke Twin Cylinder engine.
We can see that the Polaris Sportsman can certainly generate more power as it comes with a more powerful engine that holds two cylinders. So, the Polaris Sportsman is the winner regarding engine power.
Horsepower
The engine of the Yamaha Grizzly can generate 45 horsepower while the engine of Polaris Sportsman can generate up to 78 horsepower.
As we said in the previous segment, the Polaris Sportsman engine is much more powerful than that of Yamaha Grizzly. You can do a lot more with the Polaris Sportsman 850.
Vehicle weight
The Yamaha Grizzly EPS weighs around 648 lbs while the Polaris Sportsman 850 weighs around 767 lbs.
The Polaris Sportsman weighs 100 lbs more than the Yamaha Grizzly because of its dual cylinder engine. If you have preference for lighter ATVs, you can select the Yamaha Grizzly.
Payload Capacity
The Yamaha Grizzly EPS has a payload capacity of 310 lb.
The Polaris Sportsman 850 has a payload capacity of 575 lb.
The Polaris Sportsman has a more powerful engine. As a result, it can carry almost twice the weight compared to the Yamaha Grizzly. It can be very useful while doing professional work. So, the Polaris Sportsman is the winner in terms of payload capacity as well.
Ground Clearance
The Yamaha Grizzly EPS has a ground clearance of 11.3 inches.
The Polaris Sportsman 850 has a ground clearance of 12 inches.
For example, lower ground height makes it simpler to load, reload, seat, and demount the ATV. For those who are shorter, have some mobility limitations, or use an ATV for profession, this improves the experience.
However, a vehicle with a high ground height is ideal for off-roading because it will protect your underside when you navigate mud, uneven terrain, and obstructions. The two ATVs offer almost the same amount of ground clearance. So, you should get almost the same experience from them.
Fuel Delivery
The Yamaha Grizzly comes with a 44mm Yamaha Fuel Injection (YFI) system.
The Polaris Sportsman 850 comes with an Electronic Fuel Injection system.
The both should just work fine and you should not face any problems regarding fuel transmission in both the ATVs.
Brakes (Front/Rear)
The Yamaha Grizzly comes with Dual hydraulic disc brakes in both front and rear while the Polaris Sportsman 850 comes with Single Lever 3-Wheel Hydraulic Disc with Hydraulic Rear Foot Brake.
Four-wheel hydraulic brake systems with unparalleled braking sensation are included on each and every Grizzly EPS, providing strong and reliable stopping power. So, we feel that you can get a bit better braking experience with the Yamaha Grizzly.
Dimensions
The overall body dimension of the Yamaha Grizzly is 81.5 in x 48.4 in x 49.3 inches.
And the overall body dimension of the Polaris Sportsman 850 is 83.25 x 47.6 x 50.75 inches.
The two ATVs are almost the same size. There are no major differences.
Fuel Capacity
The Yamaha Grizzly can hold 4.8 gallons of fuel in its fuel tank while the Polaris Sportsman 850 can hold 5.25 gallons of fuel.
We can see that the Polaris Sportsman can hold a bit more fuel than the Yamaha Grizzly. It can hold almost half gallon more fuel.
Towing Capacity
The Yamaha Grizzly can tow up to 1322 lb of weight in its back. The towing capacity of the Polaris Sportsman 850 is a bit more, amounting to 1500 lb. This extra capacity can be very handy while doing heavy work.
Warranty
Both ATVs come with 6 months of warranty. So, there’s no difference in this segment. But Yamaha offers a bit extra for their customers with a 10-Year V-Belt Limited Warranty. So, you can be more tension-free while riding the Yamaha Grizzly EPS.
Price
The Yamaha Grizzly EPS comes with two colors. Their prices are different.
| Cyan/Yamaha Black | 11,399 USD |
| Realtree Edge | 11,799 USD |
There are three versions of the Polaris Sportsman 850 that are available.
| Sportsman 850 | 10,699 USD |
| Sportsman 850 Premium | 12,199 USD |
| Sportsman 850 Ultimate Trail | 13,399 USD |
The higher priced versions of the Sportsman 850 offer more power and comfort with some added accessories.
The base versions of the two ATVs with no accessories are priced in the same range. But the Polaris Sportsman 850 costs 700 USD less than the Yamaha Grizzly Cyan or Black.
Which one is Better for you : Yamaha Grizzly EPS or Polaris Sportsman 850
The Yamaha Grizzly is better in terms of vehicle weight, ground clearance, fuel delivery system, braking system and warranty. But the Polaris Sportsman 850 is better when it comes to engine capacity, horsepower, payload capacity, towing capacity.
To be honest, it is very hard to suggest only one from the two ATVs. You can enjoy regular rides as well as adventures with both the ATVs.
But, we think that the Polaris Sportsman should be more preferable if you are purchasing the ATV for professional work. Why? The simple answer is that it offers more power. If you are purchasing the ATV for professional work, you never know when you will require extra power. So, it can come very handy at times. That’s it.
Conclusion
The Yamaha Grizzly and the Polaris Sportsman 850 are both good quality ATVs. You can enjoy a good time with both of them. But if you are eyeing more power and capacity, then Polaris Sportsman 850 should be your choice. Otherwise, if you are looking for brand-value and reliability, you can opt for the Yamaha Grizzly EPS. Both of them are more than capable of satisfying your needs.