Can-Am Defender HD10 v Outlander 6x6 2024 comparison

Every Australian farm once relied on ATVs, or quads as many of us know them, but in recent years new safety-driven laws mandating the fitment of operator protection devices led to the majority of manufacturers withdrawing from the local market.

As the popularity of ATVs has plummeted, the number of UTVs, also known as side-by-sides, on offer has skyrocketed. Many farmers have made the switch to UTVs because, among other things, they can carry more, but plenty still enjoy the simplicity of an ATV.

Staple ATV players like Honda, Yamaha and Polaris have departed the Australian market, so buyers are left with only a couple of options; the top-dog being Can-Am’s Outlander 6x6 model. The six-wheeled beast is more stable than a four-wheeler and can carry a lot more, too.

But can the Can-Am Outlander 6x6 ‘centipede’ (because let’s be honest, it looks like one) outgun the brand’s class-leading two-seater side-by-side – the Defender HD10 UTV?

To find out we’re putting the Defender HD10 UTV against the Outlander 6x6 ATV to compare them across a series of tests that will compare load-carrying, off-road performance and finally a mystery challenge.

The aim is to find the strengths and weaknesses of each option and settle the score: which machine is king of the farm.

The obvious differences are in the vehicle platforms, with the HD10 featuring a roof and ROPS-approved cage for supreme safety and comfort out in the paddock, as well as  car-like steering wheel and two-pedal functionality. The Outlander uses a traditional ATV layout with handlebars and a thumb-operated throttle.

Can-Am’s Outlander 6x6 features a 450cc single-cylinder Rotax engine producing 38hp, running through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It also scores power steering, independent suspension, disc brakes all-round and, of course, selectable four- or six-wheel drive.

When the going gets tough, or muddy, the Outlander has a quick-release rear sway bar, auto-locking front diff and ultra-low crawler gear that can be engaged to go up and over just about anything.

The Defender on the other hand is geared towards maximum productivity, featuring a torquey 1000cc Rotax v-twin engine producing 80hp and mated to a CVT. The side-by-side gets variable power steering – light at low speeds and firm once up and moving – as well as off-road smarts like hill descent control, auto-locking front diff and a rear locking diff that can also be operated in open ‘turf mode’.

Both machines will out-perform a ute on rough terrain, with the Outlander boasting around 260mm of ground clearance and the Defender scoring a massive 330mm – compared to the 220mm of clearance most dual-cab utes offer.

The Defender also comes with a 4,500lb (2,041kg) winch built into the front bumper, handy for when you get stuck or, if you ask a farmer, for when you’ve got a stump to pull, calf to evacuate or any other number of obscure tasks to complete. The 6x6 can run a winch too, and all the wiring is there, but it doesn’t get one as standard.

As far as productivity is concerned, the Defender edges ahead with a total payload of 680kg and towing capacity of 1,134kg. The Outlander has a payload of 54kg up front and 159kg at the rear, and can tow 750kg – still impressive numbers for an ATV.

The storage options are hugely customisable on a Defender, with a range of modular boxes, cages, and plenty of compartments around the cabin. The same can’t be said for the Outlander, but its benefit is a narrow track and ability to get into tight spots where a UTV simply won’t fit.

The elephant in the room is cost, which is the reason so many farmers historically opted for an ATV – they’re significantly cheaper. The Outlander 6x6 starts at $19,509 while the Defender HD10 starts at $30,729 (or $31,429 for the XT version pictured here).

It’s a sizeable jump in cost, but if a UTV can save you significant time on the farm it might just pay its way across the life of ownership. Or perhaps the extra money could be spent elsewhere, if the ATV can offer ample productivity in a simpler package. That’s what we’re here to find out…

The best way to work out whether an ATV or UTV is king of the farm, in our opinion, is to put them to work. After all, a spec sheet will only tell you so much. We are at a picturesque sheep station at Tungkillo, in the Adelaide Hills, to do just that.

Thankfully, we also have a helper. Mick Andrewartha is Can-Am’s Product Expert and Trainer, but he’s also an ex-ATV stuntman. Back in the ‘90s he raced quads on motocross tracks around Australia, and some of the guys he trained even went on to compete in freestyle events around the world.

To test the two machines in a real-world environment, we put them through their paces across three challenges: a load-carrying task, an off-road course, and a mystery race (which I deliberately kept Mick in the dark about).

With the flip of a coin, Mick chose the Outlander as his steed while I jumped aboard the Defender – hoping the ease-of-use and added productivity of the UTV could close the obvious skill gap.

The challenges saw each machine shine in different areas, with the third mystery challenge proving to be a decider as the ATV and UTV battled it out. You’ll have to watch the video to find out who came out on top in each challenge, though.

Ultimately, choosing the right machine for your farm will come down to your use case. Many will opt for a UTV and farm bike, which between them cover off just about every task imaginable. For others, an ATV has enough payload and can get anywhere they need it to.

To find out which machine ticks the right boxes for your farm, watch the video above and leave a comment to let us know whether you’d choose the Outlander or the Defender. In an ideal world, though, we’d have both!