Suzuki

Though Suzuki ATVs were not the first ones to come to market, the manufacturer does have some significant firsts in its ATV history.

The biggest first for Suzuki was undoubtedly the release of the 1983 QuadRunner 125 – the first four-wheeled ATV ever to come to market. The venerable LT125 came equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.

After just four years of Suzuki ATVs, the QuadRunner 4WD was introduced – the industry’s first four-wheel drive ATV. The QuadRunner allowed users to switch from 2WD to 4WD modes and came equipped with a front differential lock.

It was in 1991 that the king of Suzuki ATVs was first announced – the KingQuad. This ATV came from the factory with four-wheel independent suspension, 4WD, and a larger 280cc engine.

While names like Eiger and Vinson replaced the KingQuad for a time, it returned in 2005 with the KingQuad 700 and today every Utility ATV in the Suzuki lineup shares the KingQuad moniker.

Interestingly, Suzuki is the only major ATV manufacturer that does not produce a UTV. Many years ago we talked to a Suzuki employee about a UTV the company was testing, but it has never come to market.