Review: Arctic Cat 350 4×4 – Big Boy Transmission, Little Guy Price

It’s a safe bet you already knew Arctic Cat had gained a foothold in the powersports industry by manufacturing snowmobiles. What you might not have known is that Arctic Cat was founded by snowmobile pioneer Edgar Hetteen; the same man responsible for founding Polaris Industries. The two firms have been locked in competition since Arctic Cat’s arrival and this rivalry has spanned multiple industries throughout the years: Snowmobiles, personal watercraft and of course, ATVs.

2012 marks Arctic Cat’s sixteenth year in the ATV game and it’s not much of a stretch to state that the firm has been using its time to create a unique identify for itself. Whereas early models licensed engines from (and in some cases simply rebadged) Suzuki ATVs, Arctic Cat has been putting time and money into R&D to develop engines all its own.

This new-for-2011 Arctic Cat 350 4×4 is one of the few quads on the line that makes use of a licensed motor (in this case the same one you would find in the Kymco Maxxer and MXU375). Don’t let this fact throw you; a brief look at Arctic Cat’s ATV lineup reveals that the brand offers a 300, 350, 425, 450, 550, 700 and 1000cc variant of the motor in its several trim levels. Finding the perfect displacement for your needs/budget shouldn’t be much of an issue!

Here’s where things get a little tricky. What Arctic Cat calls the 350 is in fact a 366cc engine that first arrived on the scene back in 2008 when AC was ready to part ways with Suzuki’s 400 automatic package. This explains why Kymco calls this same engine a 375. No need to get hung up on the intricacies of cubic-centimeters however, as we’re certain you’re eager to read what it’s like to spend some time in the saddle of this machine and as it turns out, we’re eager to tell you.

Mounting Up

These days sub-400cc utility-oriented ATVs are the runts of the litter so to speak but that doesn’t mean they don’t offer up advantages over their 700, 800 and 1000cc counterparts. Smaller engine mass nestled within the frame spars means less weight, less bulk and a lot less coin. Even still, mounting up on the Arctic Cat 350 4×4 reveals a nice comfortable cockpit with nearly fully enclosed fenders, connected via floorboards. The handlebars are fairly tall and contain enough sweep to put the grips right in the rider’s hands while seated.

Tech junkies hoping for fuel injection will have to be satisfied with a 34mm Keihin carb however an automatic choke means no fiddling around to get the quad up and running. A push of the bar-mounted electric start button brought the machine to smooth-idling life nearly instantaneously when warm; about 3 to 4-seconds of turning-over time was customary in the single-digit temp mornings of our testing.

Moving Out

Believe it or not, the fully automatic CVT transmission found on the 350 is the very same unit Arctic Cat spec’s on its bigger brethren. This means all of the responsiveness and performance associated with the benchmark models of the line coupled to the smooth pull of the 366cc mill.

Acceleration is brisk and steady; never arm wrenching or skittish. The fact that the machine is always in 4-wheel-drive mode is a bit of a double-edged sword: On the one side, finding perfect traction in nearly any condition is as simple as pressing the thumb throttle and holding on. On the other, fuel economy suffers and wear and tear is of course doubled.

Shock action is a slight reminder of the budget-orientation of this model, consisting of 7-inches of front and rear (preload adjustable only) fully independent suspension. The platform is stable enough for trail riding, rock hopping and creek negotiating but aggressive riding or MX-style obstacles will quickly reveal the limitations of the shocks with harsh bottoming and springy rebound.

Mud and Other Slippery Surfaces

The Arctic Cat 350 4×4 is pretty competent mudder thanks to a fairly light overall weight (588 pounds) and a chassis that responds well to body language. Especially comforting is the fact that the ignition rev-limiter can be shut off right on the bars should you get yourself in over your head and require a strong dosage of reverse gear! Hardcore mud hounds may want to mount a winch to be on the safe side.

While we would place its mud-bogging attributes as slightly above average, this ATV really shines on rocks, slippery roots and hills. The suspension, geometry and engine all come together in the technical stuff we call “being outside”.

We had the opportunity to take the ATV through several inches of bitter cold NY snow in our testing and never once found a drift that could better the 350’s 10-inches of ground clearance.

4-wheel disc braking is exemplary all around as expected considering this is the same rotor, caliper and pad package gracing the 425 and 450. Engine braking for harsh descents is also impressive.

Odds and Ends

Handling in technical conditions is decent but straight-line accelerating and flat cornering both reveal some degree of push thanks to the constant 4-wheel-drive factor. A lack of a factory sway bar contributes a bit of chassis flex that is again welcomed in the rough stuff, but a bit unnerving when attempting to corner hard on flat terrain.

Kenda Pathfinder tires are very appropriate for this ATV’s intended purpose; offering a nice blend of traction and hardpack handling without too much vibration.

Perhaps the greatest attribute of the whole machine is the dual range (high/low) CVT transmission- that boasts excellent weather sealing and top-notch performance regardless of conditions. Rider splash protection is fantastic and at $5,499, this machine is a spectacular bargain.

Contact

You can get more information at Artic Cat’s website. For those wanting more detail about the 350, I’ve linked the spec sheet here.

What do you guys think? Does the 350 live up to the hype? Let us know in the forums!