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ERGONOMICS
- KYMCO UXV500 LE |
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| KYMCO
has added an extra bonus storage space
under the driver's side bucket seat, 3-point
safety harnesses and grab rails to keep
you well contained while working, or playing |
There’s just something about the UXV’s
interior that’s so familiar — like
sitting in your first small truck. Although we’ve
had seat time in several UTVs in the last half-decade,
the KYMCO offers its own feel and a comfortable
one at that. The cab space is relatively roomy
and can easily accommodate two full-grown adults,
unless they’re the size of NFL linemen.
The bucket seats offer just enough padding and
comfort to do the job. The driver’s side
is removable to reveal added storage! The three-point
seat belts offer a comfortable fit and are easy
to operate. We appreciate the side handholds and
the additional one at the rear of the cab for
passengers.
Further storage is found under the flip-up
hood and inside the lockable glove box. Beneath
the center-mounted LCD, a small open port works
for holding small items. Speaking of the LCD,
it features a fuel gauge, odometer, trip meter,
speedometer (which maxes out around 45 mph)
and indicator lights for neutral, reverse, temperature
and high beams. However, unlike competitive
side-by-side models, this one lacks cup holders
— what! KYMCO engineers said this is being
addressed.
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KYMCO
has provided many up-to-date feautures
inside the cab of the UXV500 LE such as
the info-rich LCD screen in the center
of the dash, electronic start, 4-wheel
drive selector, glove box storage on the
passenger side & automotive-style
brake, gas & gear selector controls
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To operate the UXV, one simply has to put the
automotive-style shifter into drive by moving
it one position up from neutral. If you’re
into tackling tough jobs (pulling a trailer
or pushing snow), low gear is one additional
position forward on the shifter. Reverse is
simply one slot back from neutral and is not
speed limited. Although the foot pedals work
well, we appreciate the brake pedal’s
design and wish the throttle pedal offered more
traction, too.
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| The
nice black plastics on the outside extends
to the inside of the UXV500 LE model with
this automotive-style gear selector and
4-wheel drive selector |
Other features include a 12-volt DC outlet,
choke lever — yep, no EFI folks! —
a switch for the locking front differential
and push-button 4WD. The parking brake is smartly
tucked under the dashboard and easy to operate
with one hand. Even the fuel filler cap has
a lockable, flip-style cover.
The new Seizmik-made cab offers full doors
with zippers — as opposed to the stocker’s
net, half doors. Constructed of nylon reinforced
rip-stop vinyl, the cab offers a durable finish
and claims to be waterproof (we didn’t
test that claim). The full-length windshield
is also a great feature for driving in cold,
wet and muddy conditions, though an aftermarket
windshield wiper might be needed if the conditions
are truly poor. Even so, the windshield is also
good because it stops low trees branches or
roosted rocks from slapping you in the face.
In a stock UTV, you hope the branch will hit
the cab and roll over without hitting you. With
a windshield, it’s no longer a concern.
Its windows and doors fold (roll-up), so the
owner/driver can select how he or she wants
to operate the system. For us, having the ability
to create airflow was a nice option. Obviously
for our buddies in the northern climes —where
snow and cold temps reign supreme — having
a fully enclosed cab is an added bonus.
