2018 Textron Off Road Alterra 150 vs. Polaris Phoenix 200: By the Numbers

The Textron Off Road Alterra 150 and the Polaris Phoenix 200 square off by the numbers for the title of pint-sized off-road ruler.

Kids love ATVs just as much, if not more than adults do. The smaller-sized ATVs are a lot of fun to watch your little guys ride around on, but what about the younger teenagers who don’t quite fit the 16-year and up rule for the full-sized machines? There are some great options available to keep the kids riding and loving the sport. Textron Off Road has one in the Alterra 150 and Polaris keeps things sporty with the Phoenix 200. How do they stack up? Let’s take a look.

Engines

As your child gains experience, their own personal need for speed grows as well. This is how many parents earn a few extra gray hairs on their heads. The Alterra has a 149cc single-cylinder, air-cooled four-stroke engine. It comes capable of speeds up to 20 mph, but can be adjusted for a top speed of 30 mph as you see fit. The Alterra is fed via a standard carburetor and has electric start.

The Phoenix also runs an air-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine. In this case the size is a sporty 196cc. It is also carbureted with electric start. Both machines run on a CVT-style automatic transmission too, to help keep things easy for the kids to ride.

Suspension & Handling

When it comes to suspension systems, it is clear which machine is geared for more sporty driving habits. The Phoenix runs on dual front A-arms with a whopping 7.0 inches of travel on the shocks. Out back, a single-swingarm setup offers up 6.5 inches with a single shock design. Comparatively, the Alterra has a tamer single A-arm setup with 3.5 inches of travel on both ends. It also runs a mono-shock swingarm design out back.

The Alterra has 21-inch tires on the front and 22-inch tires on the rear. The Polaris runs 21-inch tires on the front and 20-inch tires on the rear. Both machines have 10-inch wheels. Both machines also have independent front and rear brake levers and foot brakes on the right-hand side.

Frames and such

The Phoenix is the heavyweight with a 421-pound dry weight. It also has 5.7 inches of ground clearance and a 32-inch seat height. It has a single headlight and no racks. The Alterra has 7.5 inches of ground clearance and weighs 386 pounds dry. It has dual headlights and racks. The front rack holds 25 pounds and the rear rack holds 50 pounds, so your child can haul gear just like mom and dad. It is even equipped with a towing plate and can tow 300 pounds. Both ATVs are rear-wheel drive.

Both units are great fun for your child and are the perfect stepping stone for those kids who have outgrown typical youth models but aren’t quite ready for a full-sized ATV. Learn more by going to your local dealership and seeing which one fits your child best.