ATV vs UTV vs Sand Buggy: Which Is Right for Your Scottsdale Desert Tour?

Here’s the short answer: an ATV is a single-rider quad you sit on and steer with handlebars, a UTV is a side-by-side you sit in and steer with a wheel, and “sand buggy” is the casual name most desert-tour companies (including us) use for those UTV side-by-sides. If you’re booking a tour near Scottsdale and want the most room, the easiest learning curve, and the ability to ride with friends or kids in the same vehicle, a sand buggy is almost always the right call — and it’s what we run here at Desert Dog Offroad Adventures.

Still, the terms get tossed around interchangeably online, and that makes planning confusing. Let’s clear it up so you know exactly what you’re booking.

What Is an ATV?

An ATV (all-terrain vehicle), often called a quad, is a four-wheeled machine built for one rider. You straddle the seat like a motorcycle, grip handlebars, and shift your body weight through turns.

Seats: Usually one rider (some have room for a passenger behind).
Controls: Handlebars and a thumb throttle.
Feel: Nimble, hands-on, and physical. You’re part of the machine.
Best for: Solo riders who want an active, motorcycle-style experience and don’t mind the learning curve.

ATVs are a blast, but they ask more of the rider. Everyone needs their own machine and their own comfort level, which makes them less ideal for mixed groups, nervous first-timers, or families with younger kids.

What Is a UTV (Side-by-Side)?

A UTV (utility terrain vehicle) is also called a side-by-side or SxS. Instead of straddling a seat, you climb into a roll-caged cab and drive it much like a car.

Seats: Two to four people, side by side.
Controls: A steering wheel, gas and brake pedals, and seatbelts.
Feel: Stable, roomy, and social. You can talk to the person next to you the whole ride.
Best for: Couples, families, groups, and anyone who wants an easy, low-stress way to explore the desert.

Because a UTV drives like a familiar vehicle, most people feel confident within the first few minutes. That’s a big reason side-by-sides have become the standard for guided desert tours.

So What Is a “Sand Buggy,” Then?

“Sand buggy” and “dune buggy” are nicknames, not a separate class of vehicle. In desert-tour country, they almost always refer to a modern UTV side-by-side dressed up for open-desert fun. When you see us advertise sand buggy tours, we’re talking about our side-by-sides — the same roomy, roll-caged, steering-wheel machines described above.

We run a fleet of newer Polaris RZR side-by-sides. They’re comfortable, they seat your group together, and they handle the rocky washes and sandy trails of the Tonto National Forest with ease. You can see the current lineup on our fleet page.

Which One Should You Pick for a Scottsdale Tour?

For the trails just outside Scottsdale and Phoenix, here’s how it usually shakes out:

Riding with a partner, family, or friends? A sand buggy (UTV) keeps everyone together in one vehicle and is the easiest to drive.
First time off-road or a little nervous? The side-by-side’s car-like controls and seatbelts make it the confidence-builder.
Bringing kids? Children 8 and up can ride along, and drivers need to be 16 or older with a valid license. A buggy lets a parent drive while the kids ride shotgun. (More on the rules in our FAQ.)
Want a private, custom pace? Our VIP private tours put your group in your own buggies with a dedicated guide.

Every one of our tours is U-Drive, which means you take the wheel while an expert guide leads the route. You get the thrill of driving without having to know the trails — we handle that part.

The One Thing That Matters More Than the Vehicle

No matter what you call the machine, the experience comes down to the trail and the guide. We hold exclusive permits for some of the best terrain in the Tonto National Forest, our guides are CPR-certified with decades of combined experience, and every ride includes a full safety briefing, gear, water, and free adventure photos.

If you’re new to all of this, our first-timer’s guide to ATV tours in Arizona walks through exactly what a day on the trail looks like.

Ready to Ride?

Most of our guests come in asking about “ATVs” and leave having fallen in love with our sand buggies — the room, the ease, and the shared laughs make the difference. Tours start at $299 per buggy, and we run them seven days a week, including golden-hour sunset rides.

Have a question about which vehicle fits your group? Reach out to our team or book your U-Drive guided desert tour and we’ll get you set up with the perfect ride.