2027 Yamaha Grizzly EPS XT-R Review

1 / 6

Yamaha has kept the basic formula for the Grizzly ATV the same for many years now, and although that still produces an excellent machine, some new ingredients could be coming soon to add some flavor. A recent shift in focus from side-by-sides back to the ATV market has been announced by the company, and although it didn’t arrive in time for the 2027 Grizzly to change, the future looks exciting for Yamaha ATV customers. A recent ride in the mountains of Colorado helped bring into focus exactly what the Grizzly EPS XT-R excels at today as well as what it could improve on in the coming years.

What’s New for 2027

The only updates for the Grizzly in 2027 are new colorways: Raven Metallic/Mint for the standard model and Titanium Bronze/Tactical Black for the XT-R. While the XT-R colors are subtle and give the ATV a premium look, the new shade “Mint” really pops, making this ATV stand out on the trail compared with some of the more muted tones from previous model years.

Styling/Aesthetics/Design: 4

Even without the new colors, the Grizzly XT-R looks premium thanks to its aluminum wheels and aggressive tires, plus angled bodywork that gives it sharp lines on its face. The classic Grizzly emblem is still fixed atop the pod headlight on the handlebars, one of the best-known crests in the world of ATVs.

Powertrain/Engine/Performance/Acceleration: 6

Power is delivered from a 686 cc single-cylinder engine, going through the Yamaha Ultramatic CVT before reaching a selectable 4×4 system. Power is delivered low and strong from this engine, which has a nice-sounding growl on takeoff. During our time in the mountains, we rode to over 11,500 feet of elevation and certainly felt the power reduction from the lack of oxygen near the peaks, but the Grizzly still managed to pull us to great heights. This is where the fuel injection and Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) really made their presence known.

Yamaha uses a CVT system that keeps constant belt tension, helping to prevent the belt from wearing out. In fact, the Yamaha engineers on our ride insisted that leaving the ATV in high range on the uphill climb, despite the lack of power, would not wear out the belt. They are so sure of their Ultramatic technology that Yamaha offers a 10-year belt warranty on all new units. And headed down the backside of the mountain, the transmission never allowed the Grizzly to freewheel, ensuring strong engine braking was engaged at all times.

The Grizzly has a strong engine, but to truly compete with what other ATV makers are doing these days, bumping up to 1,000 cc, or even 850 cc, would bring the Grizzly into a whole new world of fun and capability.

Chassis/Suspension/Handling/Ride Characteristics: 6

Independent double-wishbone suspension in the front and rear provides the ride characteristics for the Grizzly, packing 7.6- and 9.1-inches of travel, respectively. Balancing the ride of the Grizzly is delicate for Yamaha, as this machine needs to be a fun ATV to trail ride on Sundays while also being ready for the work demands of a Monday. A feat it pulls off masterfully.

Constant water culverts on our trail ride created many opportunities for the Grizzly to get all four wheels off the ground, and each jump was met with a surprisingly cushioned yet confident landing. Yet another testament to the suspension tuning.

Like the engine, the suspension is another area where Yamaha offers something quite good that could be better. The Grizzly is not competitive with the best ATVs on the market when it comes to travel, leaving plenty of room to offer upgrades on a future model.

Another defining characteristic of the XT-R model is the tires, offering incredible mud and wet-ground performance. The large tread lugs on the Maxxis Zillas dig into just about anything they come across, offering pure confidence in questionable conditions. There is a trade-off, though: on hard-packed dirt trails, when those big, noisy paddles can’t dig in and do their job, these tires offer a loose-handling feel through corners and slide easily, as the contact patch with the ground is limited.

Brakes/Stopping/Brake Performance: 7

Stopping force for the Grizzly comes from disc brakes all around, measuring 245 mm in the front and 203 mm in the rear. Control over the brakes is excellent, with a classic dual-lever setup on the handlebars, allowing the rider to brake the front or rear individually as they choose. The foot brake will grab the rear brakes alone. Stopping force is immediate and pairs nicely with the engine braking provided by the CVT.

Rider Position/Ergonomics: 7

Comfort is certainly a focus on the Grizzly for the rider, and a cushioned seat along with large footwells allows riders of all sizes to find a good seating position. Yamaha accessory footpegs were added to the models we rode, and this upgrade makes a significant difference, helping to grip your boots and keep in contact with the ATV at all times.

The handlebars on the Grizzly stand out as they sit fairly close together, offering a more sport-focused feel than some of the other longer bars on other ATVs on the market.

At-hand storage is also good on the Grizzly, with a deep storage box directly in front of the rider and a second easy-to-reach storage spot that has a threaded lid to make sure it protects items from the elements.

Features/Tech/Safety: 4

This is an area where the Grizzly certainly has not been innovating lately. The simple LCD display screen offers adequate information with sharp contrast that makes it easy to see. That said, Yamaha and other brands, offer some incredible-looking touchscreens on other units, leaving the Grizzly feeling old in a sea of new technology. Although what is here today works fine, new technology is a long time coming for the Grizzly and will no doubt be part of a future update.

Range/Fuel Economy: 7

Fuel capacity on the Grizzly sits at 4.8 gal, with most riders reporting about 100 miles of range under ideal conditions, but closer to 75 miles of rough riding. We managed about 70 miles on our ride through the mountains, which regularly required full throttle inputs from the engine to scale steep inclines.

Value Proposition: 6

The Grizzly XT-R sells for $11,399, packaging together a long list of upgrades like the tires, Warn winch, and premium style, all at a price that undercuts the competition’s big-bore ATVs by a decent amount. Now, if you turn to other brands you can get more power and more suspension, but you will certainly pay for the privilege.

Conclusion

The 2027 Yamaha Grizzly EPS XT-R is an excellent ATV as it sits, offering a blend of power, price, performance, and work ethic that allows it to be good at just about everything. But with modern ATVs becoming tech-focused with massive suspension and horsepower, Yamaha has allowed the Grizzly to become stagnant and not properly compete with the big boys. Well, very soon it seems like that is going to change, so if you want a reliable ATV built with familiar, strong parts, buy a Grizzly today. But if you want to see what Yamaha can really do with some research and development dollars dedicated to the ATV space, give them a little more time to see what the future holds.

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Stephen Elmer

As a second generation automotive journalist, Stephen Elmer was raised with both the passion for anything that drives and the desire to tell stories about them. Riding off-road has been a mainstay in Stephen’s life since he was old enough to hold on. When not out for ride, you’ll find Stephen at home with his wife and three children, likely playing his bass guitar or drum set.

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