If you got to choose just one phrase that best describes the side-by-side you own (or like to ride), what would it to be?
There could be lots of options. The one we would choose-for whatever we're driving-is, "It just plain works."
That's how we would describe the Kymco UXV 500.
The Kymco who? Yea, one of Kymco's biggest challenges is still name recognition in the United States. Now if you want a scooter you might know the 
Kymco name but the company also sells side-by-sides and ATVs. Kymco, which is headquartered in Taiwan, has U.S. headquarters in South Carolina.
We tested all three versions of the UXV IRS 4x4 over four days in Moab during this past May's Rally on the Rocks. There aren't many tougher proving grounds than Moab which, as anyone who has ridden there knows, can be just about any wheeled vehicle's worst nightmare. During our rides in Moab we've seen our share of vehicles take a beating, some even having to be towed out. It doesn't take long for the conditions in Moab to expose any potential weaknesses a vehicle may have.
While not perfect, the UXV held its own in the harsh conditions in Moab.
Missed The EFI
The only thing we really were wishing at the end of our four-day ride was that one of the vehicles would have been Kymco's latest release, the fuel-injected UXV 500i IRS 4x4. Our experience with fuel-injected engines is they deliver a crisper throttle response while also taking away the negative effects of riding just about any carbed powersports vehicle at elevation. Carb engines don't deliver the same 
precise performance as an EFI at elevation, regardless the brand. Unfortunately for us, no UXV 500i models were available when our ride in Moab came around. Maybe next trip.
The three UXVs we did test were the base model (UXV 500 IRS 4x4), UXV 500 IRS 4x4 SE and UXV 500 IRS 4x4 LE. In 2012 skin, the SE and LE will only be available with a fuel-injected engine. Consumers have a choice of either a carb or EFI engine in the base model. The fuel-injected model will cost you an additional $1,100.
The carb version of the UXV actually gets a price cut of $400 for 2012. The UXV was already a pretty darn good deal and now it's even more of a bargain at $7,699. The 2011 model retailed for $8,099. Technically the EFI does carry a higher price tag than the carb model but it's only a $700 increase on the 2011 price tag of the base carb model. The 2012 UXV 500i will retail for $8,799. That's still less expensive than the Polaris Ranger 500 EFI by about $400.
One of the biggest attractions and best-selling points of the Kymco side-by-sides are their price tags, a point not lost with some consumers looking to get a side-by-side but in need of a good deal.
SE/LE Premium Models
Kymco's more expensive models are the SE and LE. The difference between the base model and SE/LE is all aesthetics, such as wheels, top, windshield and winch, features that don't really have any bearing on the ride like say a premium shock package would.
The SE has the added features of alloy wheels, a hard top, half windshield and winch mounting plate while the LE offers alloy wheels, a 3,000-lb. winch, 
windshield and full soft enclosure.
We'll admit the top on the SE was a welcome addition on the UXV during our ride on the Moab Rim on a day when it was sunny and warm, almost hot. It's pretty amazing how much protection a few square feet of plastic can offer when the sun is blazing overhead.
When it comes to power and ride, both are adequate in most conditions, including those in Moab.
The liquid-cooled four-stroke DOHC engine churns out 36 hp, which is about average for a 500 (Polaris' Ranger 500 EFI has a claimed 32 hp). Kymco says its 500i will have the same horsepower number as its carb model.
Power Vs. Torque
While horsepower is important in conditions like those in Moab, torque can be just as important when rock climbing and boulder crawling. That's where we think the Kymco really shines, especially when considering its engine size. The UXV's torque is one of the reasons it does so well in conditions like those in Moab and 
especially crawling over large rocks at slow speeds or trying to climb a 2-4 foot wall. Vehicles with larger engines tend to use their horsepower more in those conditions and hammer over those boulders and rock walls but if the horsepower isn't available, torque can be the difference. And when the boulders/rock wall are especially steep, the UXV has a front differential lock for maximum traction.
During our few days in Moab, one day we overheard a small group of riders from other brands "bash" the Kymco during one ride. The talk was about the UXV's "boxy" look and not being as "powerful" when compared to the Ranger RZR. Comparing an 800 or 900 to a 500 isn't exactly fair, especially since it's a difference of several hundred ccs and upwards of 30-50 horsepower. At the end of the day, the Kymco UXVs went the same places the other brands did and made it back as well.
We'll admit you have to be a little more picky in choosing your line over boulders and rock walls sometimes. Whereas some vehicles can climb a rock wall or boulder that has a fairly straight face, the Kymco needs a little help by strategically placing some rocks in front of the face for the wheels to grab hold of and provide a boost up the boulder or wall. Of course, the UXV wasn't the only vehicle we saw using those lines and sometimes it was a matter of clearance a vehicle has. The UXV's ground clearance is 12. 2 inches while going head-to-head with modified vehicles that had 13 plus inches of ground clearance.
UXVs offer on-demand, push-button 2- or 4-wheel drive and a CVT automatic transmission with H-L-N-R-P. The vehicle has a rated towing capacity of 1,212 lbs. The rear bed can hold 420 lbs. of cargo.
We wouldn't rate the ride in the bumps as awesome, but the UXV does get the job done and won't rattle your molars out. The vehicle is equipped with five-position adjustable oil-damped shocks, independent dual A-arms with 7.5 inches of travel front and back You need all that travel (and ground clearance) in a riding spot like Moab.
The UXV is a basic side-by-side-reflected in the price and amenities-but overall we give the vehicle high marks for fun factor and performance in some of the toughest conditions we could find.
2011 Kymco UXV 500 IRS 4x4
Engine: DOHC, 4-stroke liquid-cooled
Displacement: 498.5cc
Fuel System: Carbureted
Cooling: Liquid
Fuel Capacity: 8.5 gallons
Final Drive: Shaft
Transmission: Automatic CVT with P/R/N/L/H
Drive System: On-Demand 2WD/4WD
Front Suspension: Independent A-arm, 7.5 inches travel
Rear Suspension: Independent A-arm, 7.5 inches travel
Brakes: Hydraulic dual disc (front); hydraulic disc (rear)
Wheels: Steel
Front Tires: 25x8-12
Rear Tires: 25x10-12
Wheelbase: 75.2 in.
Length: 113 in.
Width: 59 in.
Height: 72.8 in.
Ground Clearance: 12.2 in.
Weight: 1,157 lbs.
MSRP: $7,699
