The Segway Hybrid SSV is the first of its kind. Here at Freshly Charged we don’t typically review side-by-side vehicles (SSV’s) because they have never been available with anything other than a standard gasoline powered engine… until now. The Segway Hybrid SSV, or SSV-Villian, is the first hybrid UTV on the market, and it features an astonishing 235hp gas-only, 330hp combined output. Definitely worthy of our attention.
What is the Segway Hybrid SSV Powertrain?
- 2.0 L Turbo Gas Engine: An inline‑4 turbo producing ~235 hp
- 70 kW (≈94 hp) Electric Motor: Powered by a 7.9 kWh lithium battery
- Combined Output: A staggering 330 hp and about 420 lb-ft torque—putting it ahead of pretty much everything else
- Acceleration: Estimated 0–60 mph in just 3.9 seconds, which is absolutely insane for an SSV. The previous crown-holder was the Can-Am Maverick R, with a 0-60mph time of 4.2 seconds.
What is the Segway Hybrid SSV Transmission & Drivetrain?
- 6‑Speed Automatic Transmission: Includes manual paddle shifters – relatively rare among UTVs
- Selectable 2WD/4WD with front diff lock for off-road terrain.
What is the Segway Hybrid SSV Chassis & Suspension?
- Front Suspension: Dual A‑arms with 20″ travel.
- Rear: Trailing‑arm multi‑link with 21″ travel.
- Shocks: K-Man 3.0 coil-overs front and rear.
- Ground Clearance: 14.6″ – great for rough and technical trails
How big/heavy is the Segway Hybrid SSV?
- Curb Weight: 3,196 lb (this is INSANE – previous heaviest SSV is Can-Am Maverick R X RS, at 2400 lbs)
- Wheelbase: 104.5″
- Length × Width × Height: 140.5″ × 76″ × 71.6″
- Fuel Tank: 11.9 gal; Bed Capacity: 300 lb; Payload: 740 lb
What are the Unique Features of the Segway Hybrid SSV?
- Infotainment: A 10.4″ full-color touchscreen with GPS, Bluetooth, and offline navigation—controlled also via Segway’s Smart Moving App.
- Connectivity: Features cellular tracking, rollover alerts, ride stats, and tethered GPS.
- 4,500 lb Winch and full LED lighting included.
- Safety Gear: 6-point harnesses and tightly engineered roll-cage.
What are the different driving modes?
You have the option to either ride in EV-only mode, or normal hybrid mode. EV mode is available whenever the battery is above 50% charge, but due to the relatively small battery (7.9kWh), sustained EV driving is only possible for ~10 minutes. Segway states that the battery is primarily designed for torque assist.
EV mode is useful for stealth situations – trying not to disturb a group of campers, or preserving natural wildlife ambiance. The EV battery also uses braking power to recharge itself, increasing efficiency and gas mileage.
The Freshly Charged Take
For SSV enthusiasts who want the additional power and instant torque that can only come from an electric/hybrid motor, Segway’s Hybrid SSV model is pretty much the only option out there, and it looks sweet. It’s hard to imagine a side by side weighing over 3,000 lbs, but with the crazy hp specs, the power to weight ratio is comparable, if not superior, to a standard side by side.
What Others are Saying
“We’re stoked to see Segway enter the open-class side-by-side market in such a big way. The power figures are nothing short of astounding, and the hybrid powerplant is nothing short of revolutionary. Pricing has yet to be announced, but we cannot imagine it will be a bargain. We have some concerns with suspension travel and weight, but we cannot wait to get our hands on a Super Villain and see how it stacks up.” – UTVDriver.com
“Segway reached out and wanted me to drive their new car, which is planned on releasing this year. This UTV rips, and feels every bit of 235hp, the sales rep… mentioned that they have less than 10% power loss from the motor to the tires, due to the transmission. 2000cc with a turbo is no joke. It’s wild how it makes power much lower in the RPMs, mostly under 4K.” The biggest set back for me was the suspension setup, too low and soft, but I think with simple adjustments it can fix much of it. The power and brakes are so good, the suspension needs to keep up… – Race-dezert.com
