Outdoor activities are made simpler and more enjoyable with the right tools, and from hobby farming to adventurous excursions, few tools are as "right" as a versatile side-by-side with the ideal mix of maneuverability and power. That perfectly describes the 2021 Pioneer 520 which, compared to the popular Pioneer 500 that preceded it, features increased cargo options and a larger engine—a great combination for everything from hauling garden equipment to accessing a favorite fishing hole.
The versatile Pioneer 520 elevates the multipurpose side-by-side's utility and practicality with a more powerful 518cc engine, upgraded suspension, handy dump bed and compatibility with Honda Pro-Connect accessories. The result is the same excellent dimensions and reliability, along with increased overall performance for even greater satisfaction for all customers, whether they're diehard side-by-side enthusiasts, folks stepping up from an ATV, workers seeking a tool to help them perform their chores, or some combination thereof.
For those with a high emphasis on value, the Pioneer 500 is still available, with a 475cc engine and cargo rack that are particularly well-suited for outdoor recreation.
HISTORY
The Honda Pioneer family of multipurpose side-by-sides has always been about fun, rugged, reliable performance, all of which certainly apply to the Pioneer 500. Introduced in 2015—one year after the midsize Pioneer 700 and a year before the flagship Pioneer 1000—Honda's smallest side-by-side was a great, mobile tool for the ranch or farm, but in a compact size. It didn't take up much room in the garage or shed, and its 50-inch width let it fit in the bed of a full-size pickup truck and on width-restricted trails that are normally the realm of ATVs. The Pioneer 500 quickly earned a reputation as a compact, high-quality, reliable, fun, affordable side-by-side, a status that was enhanced in 2017, with the introduction of an innovative five-speed transmission with automatic and manual shifting modes.
Like all Honda Pioneers, the Pioneer 500 was designed in Ohio and manufactured in South Carolina, both of which are high-demand markets for side-by-sides.
For the 2021 model year, Honda continues to offer the Pioneer 500 for value-conscious customers, but now adds the Pioneer 520, with a number of improvements.
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
The most obvious change to the Pioneer 520 is the addition of a 450-pound capacity dump bed, which provides users with greater utility. Interior bed dimensions are 25.9" long x 38.7" wide x 9.8" high, and Honda has packed in a lot of functionality, incorporating recess rings for 5-gallon buckets, ridges to help position milk crates, slots to hold a wood divider and five D-rings for tie-downs. There are even cup-holder rings in the gate.
In addition, the Pioneer 520 is Pro-Connect compatible, with 10 latches located around the bed's perimeter, to easily accept nine Pro-Connect accessories—including cargo boxes, bed rails and chainsaw mounts—without the need for tools, improving flexibility and convenience. A total of 41 accessories are offered, some of which are interchangeable with other Pro-Connect compatible Honda side-by-sides and ATVs. Examples include a bed rack, cargo boxes, a chainsaw mount and more.
One popular feature that the Pioneer 520 carries over from the Pioneer 500—and which is still exclusive to Honda in this class—is its 50-inch vehicle width, a signature design element that has proven popular with customers. The compact size means the Pioneer 520 can be ridden on public ATV trails everywhere, maximizing the vehicle's versatility. It can even be loaded into the bed of a full-sized pickup truck for transport.
Most of the Pioneer 520's other physical dimensions are also identical to those of the Pioneer 500. Overall length is 2.4 inches longer at 105.0 inches, but wheelbase is still 73.0 inches. Front and rear suspension travel are 5.8 and 5.9 inches, respectively, and ground clearance is 8.5 inches, great for tackling uneven or challenging terrain.
Honda's engineers also made improvements to the shock damping for increased comfort and control. Front and rear suspension are modern independent double-wishbone designs; the rear suspension has adjustable preload to tailor the ride height to match loads.
All four rims have 12-inch diameters and are shod with new, longer-wearing 24-inch-diameter all-terrain tires—24x8-12 up front and 24x10-12 in the back. This setup makes for a good balance between traction, easy steering and good maneuverability in tight quarters. The front brakes comprise dual hydraulic calipers with 200mm discs, while the rear brake is a single hydraulic caliper with a 170 mm disc—a combination that provides substantial braking power.
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
The Pioneer 520 is powered by the proven, fuel-injected four-stroke 518cc engine found in the 2021 Rubicon ATV, but tuned for a side-by-side application. The largest engine in its class, the power plant has bore-and-stroke figures of 96.0 mm and 75.3 mm—4 mm and 3.8 mm greater, respectively, than those of the Pioneer 500's 475cc mill. As a result, it offers increased low-to-midrange power and torque, making it great for tackling chores or scrambling up trails while exploring challenging terrain. Power is fed directly to front and rear driveshafts, with no belt drive to maintain. Once again, it is mounted longitudinally in the chassis, an arrangement that allows direct driveshaft alignment to front and rear wheels for maximum drivetrain efficiency.
At the same time, ease of use is prioritized. The new air cleaner is more readily accessed, as is the battery box, by lifting the bed. Two drive modes—two- and four-wheel drive—are selectable on-the-fly via an easy-to-reach, dash-mounted knob. The five-speed automatic transmission with reverse takes the hassle out of gear selection. The manual mode, operated with paddle shifters on the steering column, gives the user shifting control when conditions warrant. Compared to its predecessor, the Pioneer 520's shift mapping has been tuned to upshift at lower engine speeds, improving shift rhythm. Calibration has been adjusted to optimize shift shock, and manually overriding automatic mode is possible through a wider rpm range.
Towing capacity is 1,000 pounds.
WARRANTY: Transferable one-year limited warranty; extended coverage available with a HondaCare Protection Plan
- Meets current EPA and CARB off-road emissions standards
- Recommended for drivers 16 years of age and older
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