The best all around 500 quad is the SPORTSMAN 500 HO. No doubt about it, but since you said in the 500 sport/ute class than the 500 HO can't be in that race because it will hang with the big bores. So I guess I don't have an answer, but I will pick the SPORTSMAN 400.

 

The Vinson 500 manual has to be the best all around sport utility due to the selectable 2 to 4 wd and 5 speed.Not to mention the fastest top speed .I just got rid of my sportsman 500,and have ridden both the rubicon and vinson also.I'm looking at a 2003 Vinson manual now.They have the best wheels high and low range with 5 speeds in both and seems to have the better feel.(Except it doesn't ride as smooth as the sportsman)Also pretty much no maintenance compared to the other two.

 

VERY, VERY TRUE

 

Yeah, I have heard good things on the vinson 5 spd, it may have the top speed, which I am pretty sure the auto version doesn't, but not everyone likes manual. But its a good quad because you get to choose your favorite type of tranny. However I still dissagree with it being the best all around because the best all around should have top of the line mudding characteristics in which the vinson suffers in this category a little because of irs. If irs ever gets to be an otion a a vinson, watch out!