The best ATV is...
To me, this is a blunt and obvious answer. I was maybe 16 when I got my first "wheeler" as my brother would say. I worked hard and saved my money and finally got the courage to ask my neighbor if I could purchase his ATV from him. With no knowledge on what it was, what was wrong with it, or how I would get it home, I actually hoped the neighbor would tell me no. I was sad but partially relived when he said no and I walked home. The next day my neighbor sought me out and told me I could take the ATV for free, if I could get it home. Without even thinking I started to push it down the road flat tires and all. 
It took me about 3 months and 300$ to get it running which was a small cost for the many memories shared with it. Me and my brother made our own paths, mud holes, and ramps just because we could. The ATV never got stuck. It had 2wd, 4wd and diff lock (tank mode). The oil was never changed because simply it didn't need it. It ran on muddy water and lots of heart. To this day I have no clue mechanically how it roamed this earth defying every mechanical rule human'S know. Anyways, the answer, the best ATV ever made is a 1996 Suzuki quad runner 250cc... If any of you have different thoughts, let me know in the comments!
I've never owned a Suzuki so I cannot comment. Use to have a Honda and that was very reliable, never left me stranded...sold it because the solid axle ride got very uncomfortable my bad back. Bought a Outlander three years ago, much better ride and power compared with my old Honda. Maybe is too early to tell if its better, could have some planned obsolescence waiting to happen somewhere down the road...I don't know.
What type of Honda did you ride? I have heard story's about how reliable the 1995 Honda Fourtrax were. Pretty much all hondas are great machines! I have no expirience with the outlanders but I hope it lasts for ya!
The Suzuki had IRS (independent rear suspension) which made it a nice smooth ride.
It was a '93 Fourtrax 300, very basic but robust quad...
I bought an ATV last year... or earlier this year, I don't remember. Anyway, I looked far and wide for a Honda Fourtrax. I found a '95 4x4 Fourtrax, one state over. I paid what many would consider an outlandish price, for such an old machine. But these old things have a cult following. They are just good, reliable four-wheelers. It isn't uncommon to see a 4x4 Fourtrax, in good shape, sell for more than $2,500... and that's for a 20 year old rig.
Anyway, I love them. They aren't super powerful, but they will go nearly anywhere you point them; and they are quite reliable, which is worth a lot to me.