Yamaha UMAX Review

The Yamaha brand has long been associated with power, performance, innovation and reliability. One only needs to look at their track record with motorcycles, Waverunners™, outboard motors, all-terrain vehicles and both fleet and personal golf cars. It is only natural, then, to discover their UMAX Utility golf cart fits perfectly on the family tree.

This distinctive vehicle is offered in both gas and electric versions with upgraded seats compared to a golf cart, an automotive-style dash and some impressive specifications. A gas-powered model can haul over 800 pounds of cargo in the rear dump area, can tow up to 1,500 pounds and will operate at a top speed of 19.5 mile per hour. It is ready for serious work with a lifted suspension, 23” tires, a front brush guard, fender flares, a large dump bed tailgate that can be opened with one hand and four-wheel brakes. While the electric version is as quiet as a golf car, the electronic fuel injected gas powered engine creates surprisingly less noise than most gas-powered units thanks to their innovative Yamaha-exclusive QuieTech EFI® technology.

The Yamaha UMAX is a great entry into the emerging market of electric utility vehicles. It should be noted that Yamaha’s primary background is the design and building of gas powered engines. Over the years, however, the company has acquired experience in manufacturing electric vehicles and their performance and reliability has greatly increased as a result. Handling and maneuverability are aided by automobile-type rack and pinion steering. Maintenance is simplified by an easy-access engine compartment and a side-fill gas tank.

The design is well-suited for use on a farm, on a campus, in an industrial setting or on a construction site. Many educational campuses use these units for more than just transportation. These units can be used to move furniture and provide maintenance staff easier access to buildings than can be achieved with a truck. Airports utilize the compact vehicles to haul items out to the tarmac and to parked aircraft. Even professional sports teams find an electric or gas utility vehicle as ideal for transporting equipment and even injured players. That said, the configuration also works well for camping and for general work and hauling in a residential setting. The accommodating bed is well suited for wilderness trips, hunting and moving landscaping tools and supplies.

The private-use adaptation is amplified by the offering of the UMAX Rally in a 2+2 configuration which replaces the aluminum cargo bed with two additional bucket seats that can be folded down to create more cargo space. Like the standard LUV (light utility vehicle), the four-passenger version offers under hood storage and 23” tires. The 2+2 is a people mover with exceptional durability and a design that shows it means business. Both versions provide an efficient way to move things and people with a compact vehicle that can go places a standard truck cannot easily access.

For an inside look at the Yamaha UMAX utility golf cart, check out the exclusive interview we had with Yamaha at the 2019 PGA Show.