2014 Honda FourTrax Rancher and Foreman Preview

After years of very little change in its ATV and UTV segments, Honda has been very aggressive for the 2014 model year. We had a chance to test out Honda’s new Pioneer 700 UTVs just a couple of weeks ago and now Honda has announced significant updates to its FourTrax Rancher and Foreman ATV lines.

FourTrax Rancher Series

VIEW: Read our 2009 Honda FourTrax Rancher AT Review

While the Rancher will retain Honda’s liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, 420cc engine, just about everything else is new for 2014. Highlighting the changes is a new chassis with a redesigned frame. As well, suspension travel has been increased, though Honda has not released any specific details (the 2013 Rancher offered 6.3 inches of front and rear travel). New fuel injection settings were also added to improve fuel economy and emissions.

Honda gave its FourTrax Rancher wholesale changes for 2014.

To complete the new Rancher, Honda outfitted it in new bodywork. It has much sharper angles than the more rounded edges found on the 2013 Rancher and less plastic on the front bumper area. Other changes include a new seat, slightly modified cargo racks and black wheels.

The 2014 Rancher (right) has much more angular bodywork than the 2013 version (left).

The multiple choices in drivetrain styles remain – seven in all. The 4WD FourTrax Rancher 4×4 ES features Electric Shift Program (ESP), while the 4WD FourTrax Rancher Automatic DCT features Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), a five-speed fully automatic transmission that also gives the rider the option of ESP mode. The FourTrax Rancher 4×4 offers riders 4WD with a traditional manual-shift gearbox. The two-wheel-drive FourTrax Rancher is available with manual or electric shift. Most of these models also offer the option of Electric Power Steering. Available colors are Honda Phantom Camo, Olive, Red and Orange. Prices haven’t been released at this time. Units will hit Honda dealerships this fall.

Seven different iterations of the Rancher are available for 2014.

FourTrax Foreman Series

VIEW: Read our 2012 Honda FourTrax Foreman Review

Like the Rancher series, the 2014 Honda FourTrax Foreman retains its powerplant – a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, 475cc engine. Changes to the Foreman are similar to those of the Rancher, including a brand new chassis with increases suspension travel (again, Honda hasn’t revealed how much) and new fuel injection settings. The Rancher also gets a new electronic front differential lock, which we are eager to test out.

Among the upgrades for the 2014 Honda FourTrax Foreman is an electronic differential lock.

Styling changes are quite similar to those on the Rancher with more angular bodywork, new seat, less plastic on the front end and black wheels.

Note the slimmed down front end and black wheels on the 2014 Foreman (right) compared to the 2013 model (left).

As before, the FourTrax Foreman 4×4 ES boasts Honda’s ESP that delivers pushbutton shifting, while the manual-shift FourTrax Foreman 4×4 has a more conventional gearbox. Both models can be had with the option of Electric Power Steering as well. Available colors are Honda Phantom Camo, Olive, Red and Blue. Price has yet to be determined. You’ll find 2014 Honda FourTrax Foremans in Honda dealerships this fall.

Both the 2014 Foreman and Rancher lines will be available in the fall.