The predecessor of the modern all terrain vehicle (ATV) is a three wheel locomotive with low pressure air tyres. At the beginning, it was just a vehicle designed for cross-country racing. Later, it gradually became a racing car, a practical transport vehicle, a family leisure vehicle, and so on. With the popularity in the United States and other markets, the locomotive has changed from three wheels to four wheels. As four-wheel vehicles become the main form of all terrain vehicles, four-wheel drive ATV vehicles have also developed.

ATV has wide tires that can increase the contact area with the ground, generate greater friction and reduce the pressure of vehicles on the ground, making it easy to drive on beaches, river beds, forest roads, streams and harsh desert terrain. It can carry people or transport goods.