Kymco MXU 550i All Terrain Vehicle

Well, I had a fun time on the MXU 550i from Kymco. Thanks to the brand for loaning me the quad to help at a motoring rally I was managing and how I needed it. 

The versatility of the MXU 550i allows it to tackle many tasks, and in my time with it, I put all its features to good use. I used the towbar for a few jobs to get horseboxes, motorcycle trailers, and coffee shacks onto the field and in the allocated positions, which heavier vehicles could not do because they would have sunk into the soft grass. Another Volunteer carried his wife and the moneyboxes between collection points, covering quite some mileage and saving both of their legs. I even used the winch on the front to tug some heavy metal fencing which had blown over. The MXU 550i excelled at all these jobs. 

You can switch between 2WD and 4WD, and you have a high and low ratio forward drive system. The 2WD is ideal for road use and improves handling in this situation. Of course, if you use roads when the surfaces are slick, engage 4WD, and you won't have an issue navigating the tarmac. 

The MXU 550i has a 501cc liquid-cooled four-stroke single-cylinder fuel-injected engine that produces 33.5 hp and 28.6 lb.-ft torque. The Kymco Qyad has an independent dual A-arm suspension with five-position adjustable shocks that offer 6.9 inches of travel up front and 7.3 inches out back. 

The dry weight of 725 pounds means it is pretty heavy compared to rivals, and when you fill up the 4.4-gallon tank, you add more weight, but the power output copes with this weight, and you don't feel it when underway. Thanks partly to the standard electronic power steering fitted. 

Having a heavy machine means you need excellent braking, and the MXU 550i delivers with linked hydraulic discs, dual at the front. To add confidence when you get off the quad and leave it, there is a park locking feature like a handbrake. 

The other volunteer, his wife, who sat pillion, and I found the MXU comfortable, and the rider has everything readily at hand without having to stretch or search around. The 550i has storage areas dotted around the frame and has front and rear racks to put anything on. The MXU 550i has a standard 2-inch receiver hitch and a towing capacity of 941 pounds. The winch can accommodate up to 2,500 pounds. 

The digital display has plenty of information with a speedometer, odometer, tach, fuel gauge, gear position indicator, clock, fault code indicator, and 2WD/4WD indication. You also get a useful in-storage USB port for charging your devices. Dual rear brake lights and dual high/low beam headlights with LED markers give you plenty to light your way and be seen in any light condition. 

The MXU 550i is simple to work on for general maintenance, as Kymco has made access points easy to open with minimal tools. The CVT transmission requires inspection regularly, but the shaft drive doesn't need much attention.

Kymco offers a one-year limited factory warranty for the MXU 550i, which doesn't appear long, but when these quads are used daily for many hours at a time, they take a lot of pounding on parts. A year's use on a farm or country estate probably equals a hundred times more than having one as a run around on your small acreage in Surrey. 

Competition comes from the Can-Am Outlander https://www.can-am.brp.com/off-road/gb/en/models/all-terrain-vehicles/outlander.html

CFMoto has the CForce 520. https://www.cfmoto.co.uk/ and Honda has their Rubicon https://atvsxs.honda.ca/atv/rubicon

The Kymco MXU 550i EPS has a liquid-cooled 501cc engine with four-wheel independent suspension, luggage racks, a tow hitch, and a winch; the MXU can tackle chores around the property or be the steed for hunting or camping escapades. Its fully automatic transmission and electronic power steering make it easy to control and use on the road, especially at home on the mud and gravel. The

2WD/4WD system with a locking front differential is a real bonus, and the quad has ample storage and rack space. You get excellent electronic features, independent suspension, a tow hook and a powerful front winch. The Kymco MXU 550i EPS is a versatile quad that is easy on the bank account. 

£7,798.80