Battling Brothers: The Kubota RTV 400 vs RTV 500

When it comes to utility vehicles there are a lot of options, even inside individual brands. Kubota offers a vast array of utility vehicles and sometimes the models can be hard to navigate. They offer diesel as well as gas powered utility vehicles, however for the purpose of this post, we’re going to take a look at their two gas models, the RTV 400 and the RTV 500.  At first glance both of the units look pretty similar. As we dive deeper, we’ll find the differences between the two and help lay out which one might be better suited for your uses.

The RTV 400

The smallest (and least expensive) of the RTVs, the Kubota RTV 400 has more power and durability than you might expect from its size. With a 404 cc single cylinder air-cooled gas engine, combined with four-wheel drive, there isn’t hardly anything this little guy can’t do. It has a belt driven continuously variable transmission with an inertial clutch, which means you select your gear range (High or Low) and take off. These are great machines for driving around the farm, yard, or to the neighbors for just about any type of work or play.

The RTV 500

With a slightly larger 456 cc 2-cylinder engine, the RTV 500 could be considered the older brother of the smaller 400. Built on the same frame as the 400, the RTV 500 boasts a larger engine and a more advanced hydrostatic transmission. The inclusion of the hydrostatic transmission gives the RTV 500 a smoother ride than the 400, however this does rob some of the overall horsepower from the engine. At the end of the day, even though the 500 has a larger engine than the 400, they both have the same travel speeds, and the 400 can actually handle about 50lbs more in the payload department. That said, there is no comparison in the comfort of ride with the smooth hydrostatic take off compared to the belt engaged 400.  

Similarities:

Differences:

These units are effectively the same with the exception of the 6 things listed above. This basically translates to the RTV 400 being ultimately less expensive than the 500. However, with the added weight and smooth hydrostatic transmission, the 500 boasts a more comfortable ride.

For many, the belt drive and more power per square inch of the 400 combined with it’s lower price make that the perfect unit. Others would gladly spend the extra money for the more comfortable ride. Either way you’re going to end up with a dependable utility vehicle that is as tough as you’d expect from its Kubota name. Ultimately the best way to figure out which one suits your needs is to come in and try them both out and see which one fits. If you have any questions about the differences or similarities of the Kubota RTV line or want to take them for a test drive give us a call or stop in today!