Shopping for a side-by-side? This calculator helps you figure out what you'll actually pay each month—and more importantly, what that UTV will really cost you after interest.

Whether you're picking out your first Polaris Ranger for weekend trail rides with the family or finally pulling the trigger on that sport UTV you've been eyeing, knowing your numbers before walking into the dealership changes everything. You'll negotiate from a position of strength instead of hoping the dealer's math is fair.

Enter your UTV's price, down payment, expected interest rate, and loan term below. The calculator factors in sales tax too, because that $1,400 surprise on a $20,000 UTV is something you want to see coming.

1. Enter the UTV Price Plug in the total purchase price of the side-by-side you're considering. Planning to add a winch, roof, or sound system? Include those if you'll finance them together—you'll want to see the real monthly impact.

2. Add Your Down Payment This is the cash you're putting down upfront. Most buyers land somewhere between 10-20% of the purchase price, but we'll show you what different amounts do to your payment.

3. Set Your Tax Rate Drop in your local sales tax percentage. Most people finance the tax along with the vehicle, so this gets added to your loan amount. Don't know your exact rate? Look at a recent purchase receipt or search "[your county] sales tax rate."

4. Enter the Interest Rate Put in the APR you expect to get. Haven't been pre-approved yet? Use 7-9% as a starting point if you have good credit, or 12-15% if your credit needs some work. You can always run it again once you have real quotes.

5. Choose Your Loan Term Pick how many months you want to finance. You'll see options from 36 to 84 months at most lenders, with some going up to 120 months on pricier rigs.

Hit calculate and you'll see your monthly payment, what you're actually borrowing after tax and down payment, how much interest you'll pay over the life of the loan, and your true all-in cost.

UTV financing works a lot like getting a car loan, with a few twists. Since side-by-sides are classified as recreational vehicles, interest rates run about 1-3% higher than what you'd see on a sedan or truck. The tradeoff? Loan terms can stretch longer—up to 84 or even 120 months on premium machines—because lenders know a well-maintained UTV holds its value pretty well.

Here's how the math works: your loan amount gets spread across your term, with interest charged on whatever balance remains each month. Early in the loan, most of your payment goes toward interest. Later on, more chips away at the principal. That's why making extra payments early saves you the most money.

One thing that catches a lot of first-time buyers off guard: sales tax. In a state with 7% tax, a $20,000 UTV means $1,400 gets tacked onto your loan before you make a single payment. This calculator includes tax because the sticker-price-only math dealers sometimes show you isn't the whole picture.

Rates swing wildly based on your credit, whether you're buying new or used, and where you get financing. Here's a realistic breakdown of what the market looks like right now

See that jump between "Excellent" and "Needs Work"? That's a $100/month difference on the same UTV—over $6,000 extra out of your pocket across the loan.

Pro tip: Manufacturer financing through Polaris, Can-Am, or Kawasaki dealers sometimes drops to 3.99% for qualified buyers during sales events. These deals are worth asking about. Just make sure to compare the total cost, not just the rate—sometimes that promotional financing comes bundled with a higher vehicle price or required add-ons.

Choosing between a shorter or longer loan is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. Let me show you what's really at stake with a $20,000 loan at 7.5% APR:

Look at the difference between 48 and 84 months: you save $176 every single month. That's real money—maybe enough to cover insurance, registration, and a few tanks of gas. But here's the catch: stretching to 84 months costs you an extra $2,604 in interest by the time you're done.

Neither choice is wrong. It comes down to what matters more to you right now: keeping cash in your pocket each month, or minimizing what you pay overall.

The hidden risk with longer terms: UTVs can lose 20-30% of their value in the first year. On an 84-month loan, you'll likely owe more than your side-by-side is worth for the first 3-4 years. If you're planning to keep it until the wheels fall off, no big deal. But if you might want to upgrade in a couple years, being underwater makes that complicated and expensive.

The standard advice is 10-20% down, and there are good reasons for that—though it's not the only path.

Why a bigger down payment helps:

Equity protection. Put $3,000 down on a $20,000 side-by-side and you start with real equity. After that first-year depreciation hit, you're not stuck owing more than the thing is worth.

Better rates. Some lenders knock 0.5-1% off your rate when you put more skin in the game. It reduces their risk, so they reward you for it.

Less interest paid. Every dollar down is a dollar you're not paying interest on. That extra $2,000 you put down on a 60-month loan at 8% saves you about $420 in interest.

That said: if zero-down is your only realistic option and the rate is reasonable, don't let it stop you from getting the UTV you need. Just go in knowing you'll be underwater for a while, and plan to keep it long enough to build equity naturally.

If you're shopping used, lean toward a larger down payment. Used UTVs depreciate less predictably, and lenders view them as riskier—which often means higher rates when your down payment is thin.

Financing a used UTV is absolutely doable, but the terms shift:

Rates run higher. Expect to pay 1-3% more than you would on new. Where a new Polaris might get you 6.5%, that same model three years old might land at 8.5-9.5%.

Terms get shorter. Many lenders cap used powersports loans at 60-72 months instead of the 84+ available on new machines.

Minimum amounts apply. Some lenders won't touch a used UTV loan under $7,500 or $10,000. If you're buying something cheaper, you might get pushed toward a personal loan with higher rates.

Age limits exist. Most lenders draw a line at 7-10 years old. Beyond that, traditional powersports financing gets tough and you're looking at personal loans or paying cash.

The bright side? A 2-3 year old side-by-side typically costs 30-40% less than new, and someone else already absorbed the brutal first-year depreciation. If the math works on financing, you might end up with a better machine than you could afford new.

Dealer Financing The convenient option—you handle everything in one place and drive home the same day. Dealers work with multiple lenders and often find competitive rates.

Watch for: Extended warranties, paint protection, and other add-ons that inflate your loan. Also, negotiate the vehicle price before discussing financing—some dealers play games with one to make the other look better.

Credit Unions Often your best bet for rates, sometimes 1-2% below dealer financing. You'll need to join first, but most credit unions have easy membership requirements.

The catch: You need to arrange financing before shopping, which takes more planning.

Banks Traditional banks finance UTVs, though not all have dedicated powersports programs. Rates are usually competitive if you already bank there.

The catch: Approval takes longer. If you need to close quickly, this might not work.

Manufacturer Financing Sheffield Financial, Synchrony, and other captive lenders offer promotional rates through brand dealerships. During sales events, you might see 3.99% or even 0% for short terms.

Watch for: Deferred interest provisions (you pay it all if not paid in full by term end) and terms that only qualify at certain lengths. Read the fine print.

Personal Loans For older or lower-priced UTVs, this might be your only option. Rates run 10-20%, but you'll own it outright with no lien.

Best for: UTVs too old for traditional powersports financing, or purchases under $5,000-7,000.

You've been eyeing a new Polaris Ranger 570 at $12,499. Your credit's in decent shape—dealer offers 7.49% for 60 months. You've saved $1,500 for a down payment, and your state has 6% sales tax.

That's $235/month for a brand new side-by-side. For context, that's about what some people pay for a gym membership they never use.

You've put in your time on a base model and you're ready for a Can-Am Maverick Sport at $18,999. Excellent credit gets you into the 5.99% promotional rate for 72 months. You're putting $3,000 down in a state with 7% tax.

$287/month gets you into serious sport territory. That promotional rate saved you about $1,200 compared to a standard 8% loan.

You've decided life's too short—you want the fully-loaded Polaris RZR Pro R at $32,000. With 6.9% financing over 84 months and $5,000 down in a 5% tax state:

That $8,948 in interest is real money—almost enough to buy a decent used UTV outright. On a purchase this size, shopping rates aggressively or bumping your down payment can save you thousands.

This calculator gives you solid estimates based on standard loan math. Your actual payment might shift a bit based on:

• The exact rate and fees your lender charges
• How your state calculates tax on recreational vehicles
• Dealer doc fees, registration, and other closing costs
• Your specific credit profile and the lender's underwriting

Use these numbers to compare scenarios, set realistic expectations, and walk into negotiations prepared. For the exact penny-accurate payment, you'll need a formal quote from a lender or dealership.

And if you're stretching your budget to make this work, it's worth talking through the numbers with someone you trust before signing. A UTV should make your weekends better, not keep you up at night worrying about the payment.