Yamaha’s Rhino 700 was the 700cc evolution of the original Rhino side-by-side, developed after the Rhino 660 established the nameplate in North America earlier in the decade. Yamaha’s own historical materials describe the 700 as the upgraded version of the Rhino concept, adding fuel injection and greater displacement to the original formula. In Yamaha’s U.S. dealer communications, the Rhino 700 FI was introduced as a 2008 model, and it quickly became the best-known version of the Rhino line in later years.
The Rhino was significant because it helped define the modern recreational side-by-side segment for Yamaha. Rather than being a pure utility machine or a conventional ATV, it offered side-by-side seating, a steering wheel, and a cargo bed in a compact off-road package aimed at both work and recreation. The 700 retained that basic identity but refined the formula with more sophisticated power delivery and broader appeal for trail riders, landowners, and outdoor users who wanted a machine that blended practicality with sportier off-road use.
Within the Rhino family, the 700 became the main late-era model and was offered in multiple trims and special editions during its run. Yamaha materials and enthusiast references show the Rhino 700 continuing through the 2013 model year, after which the nameplate was retired. It did not return as a revived badge in later years, making the Rhino 700 the final chapter of Yamaha’s original Rhino side-by-side line rather than the beginning of an ongoing series.
As a result, the Rhino 700 is remembered as an important transitional model: it took the pioneering Rhino idea, modernized it with fuel injection and a larger engine, and closed out one of Yamaha’s most influential early ROV nameplates.