Honda Unveils 2016 Pioneer 1000 and 1000-5

Honda has taken the covers off a pair of brand new Pioneer Side-by-Sides for 2016 model year – the Pioneer 1000 and Pioneer 1000-5. This confirms a report we posted in October about Honda working on a new heavyweight UTV, along with a new five-seat chassis (though we had heard it was going to feature an 1100cc engine).

Discuss this news at our Honda Pioneer Forum

“We’re very excited about the all-new 999cc engine we’ve developed for these new Pioneers,” says Lee Edmunds, manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications at American Honda. “We’ve also added the industry’s only fully automatic mechanical transmission – the 6-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. With steel gears, the DCT offers true engine braking, seamless shifting and a smooth, reliable transfer of power.”

Each of the new Pioneers is powered by a purpose-built inline, twin-cylinder, Unicam 999cc engine. Controlling that power is a six-speed fully automatic dual clutch transmission (DCT), a beltless transmission that Honda boasts is durable, efficient, and easy to use.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Honda Pioneer 700-4

“Designed, developed and produced according to Honda’s holistic methodology, the largest Pioneer is smooth-riding and extremely versatile,” Honda says in a release.

Built in the USA using domestically and globally sourced parts, the Pioneer 1000 is offered in four different configurations – Pioneer 1000, Pioneer 1000 EPS, Pioneer 1000-5, and Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2015 Honda Pioneer 500

Every Pioneer 1000 model can carry up to 1000 pounds in the cargo bed and has a massive 2000-pound towing capacity.

Suspension is independent double-wishbone front and rear with 10.55 inches of travel up front and 10 inches of travel in the rear.

Both the three-person and five-person models come standard with four-wheel-drive, as well as a high-low sub-transmission and four-mode differential lock. The five-person Pioneer 1000-5 also features auto-leveling rear suspension and full-size convertible bed with Honda’s exclusive QuickFlip seating.  Finally, the 1000-5 Deluxe boasts 14-inch aluminum wheels, 27-inch radial tires, LED headlights and electric power steering.

The Pioneer is covered by a one-year warranty and will be available this fall.

Returning unchanged for 2016 are the Honda Pioneer 700, Pioneer 700-4, and Pioneer 500.

Colors

Pioneer 1000: Red, Olive Pioneer 1000 EPS: Red, Orange, White, Honda Phantom Camo Pioneer 1000-5: Red, Olive Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe: Red, Metallic Silver, White, Honda Phantom Camo Pioneer 700: Red, Olive, Honda Phantom Camo Pioneer 700-4: Red, Metallic Blue, Honda Phantom Camo Pioneer 500: Red, Metallic Blue, Honda Phantom Camo