Can-Am has added a mid-range model to its Outlander range, the Outlander 500 EFI.

Perhaps better known to farmers as Bombardier, the firm’s ATV line-up was renamed three years ago under the Can-Am title.

The 500 EFI joins the 400, 650 and 800cc versions of the same range, coming in at a useful size for the utility market. And, available in XT and MAX XT models, the bike is firmly pitched against its competitors, the Honda Foreman 500 and the Polaris Sportsman 500.

The 499.6cc, 4-stroke, V-twin, eight-valve engine uses a CVT transmission with high and low boxes, and shaft-driven selectable 4wd comes in the form of the company’s Visco-Lok system, which uses oil pressure triggered by each spinning wheel to lock up wet clutches.

The XT is the single-seater model, has a wheelbase of 1295mm (51in) with ground clearance of 279mm (11in), while the MAX offers a longer frame of 1500mm (59in) suitable for carrying two riders, or extra load carrying capacity. The second seat takes just minutes to lift off, and add-ons like load carrying boxes are available.

Ride quality is smooth, thanks to the Outlander’s trailing torsional independent rear suspension (or TTI as the company like to call it) and the electronic fuel injection system delivers impressive throttle response, but we were unable to test it under load.

Manoeuvrability was impressive, even on the 500’s bigger brother, the new Outlander 800R LTD. Despite having 300cc more, the 800R is the same length as the two-seater 500, and just as manouverable. Taking it round a woodland track, there were few turns it couldn’t deal with.

Priced at £7099 for the XT and £7999 for the MAX XT (the one with two seats), the Outlander 5000 EFI, while providing quality, may remain prohibitively expensive for most farmers. But Can-Am is offering the two-seater model for the price of a single-seater of the MAX XT.

The new 800R EFI LTD, stuffed with extras like removable GPS receiver, Warn winch system, mudguards and cast aluminium wheels will set you back an eye-watering £11,249.