Is the 2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 X rs Turbo the best Sport UTV?
It’s been a crazy summer for the UTV Industry! Polaris, Can-Am, and Yamaha have all released spectacular new models in multiple segments, and this week, we saw the unveiling of the next big thing: the aggressively-styled Can-Am Maverick X3. While our segment is still experiencing wild growth, its coming at a cost- these new units are becoming very expensive. That being said, Can-Am has priced the X3 very aggressively, with a base price $2,000 shy of the Polaris RZR XP Turbo. Arctic Cat is missing from this comparison, as we are still anxiously awaiting a new Wildcat XX. In typical Can-Am fashion, there are no less than three trim levels available for the new X3, with the differences vast in performance, but not necessarily price; the price spread across all models is under $4,000.
2017 Yamaha YXZ1000R SS
Speaking of options, Yamaha and Can-Am give you a few. With the YXZ1000R, opting for the SE model brings color matched paint, beadlock wheels, and Fox Podium X2 internal bypass twin-wall shocks. Believe us- these shocks alone are worth whatever Yamaha plans on charging for the SE upgrade (pricing is still TBA). Can-Am has three models available- X3 Turbo R, X3 X ds Turbo R, and X3 X rs Turbo R. Dont blame us, we didnt name them!
The ds package grants 14 inch aluminum beadlock wheels with one-size-larger 29 inch Bighorns, as well as the addition of Fox 2.5 Podium RC2 fully adjustable shocks over the bases QS3 compression adjustable units. Ds models also get the triple black and circuit yellow painted color options. Check the box for the rs, and youre in for a treat- Can-Am has graced the rs with a boxed arm long travel kit that stretches the width out another 8 inches for a wont-fit-on-most-trails 72 inch footprint. For dune and desert folk, its absolutely perfect. For the woods? Maybe not. The rs package also steps up the wheel and tire package, with color-matched beadlock wheels and 30 inch Bighorn tires. The long travel kit adds 2 inches of front suspension travel and 4 in the rear, for a total of 22/24 inches. Suspension movement is controlled by the UTV industrys largest shocks- massively long Fox Podium RS2 3.0 shocks at all four corners. The Maverick X3 X rs also comes with a full roof and standard HMW skidplate, and is available in triple black and this sexy Gold & Can-Am red color scheme.
2016 Polaris RZR XP Turbo
Polaris has not yet released a RZR XP Turbo SE model, but we are sure they have one in the works. Factory long travel and an upgraded CVT would make the Polaris a great match for the new X3 rs in the dunes and desert.
Can-Am unveiled another first with the X3: the availability of a factory-installed long travel kit. While the base and DS model X3s are 64 inches wide and feature an impressive 20 inches of suspension travel front and rear, the RS gets stretched out to a whopping 72 inch width, and rolls off the showroom floor with 22 inches of front wheel travel and 24 inches out back. Impressive!
While Polaris has not released any details yet on the 2017 RZR XP Turbo, we expect to see the normal additions for a new model year- some durability fixes and possibly a small bump in power, just as they did with the XP1000. The specs listed below are for 2016 RZR XP Turbo models, as the 2017s have not been released at this time.
Yamaha was quick to the draw with its new SS, or Sport Shift version of the YXZ1000R (see YXZ1000R SS). This auto-clutch, paddle-shift semi-automatic sequential 5 speed transmission will make even novice drivers feel like a rally star. Its auto-downshift technology and automated launch control functions make this a very involving UTV to pilot, and the transmission clicks off sweet, quick shifts with a flick of the column-mounted paddles. Kudos to Yamaha for not mounting the paddles to the wheel- they stay stationary while you turn. Its 110+ horsepower inline triple is still the most characteristic engine in the UTV spectrum- not the fastest, but by far one of the most fun you can get your hands on. The price isnt bad, either; the base model Blaze Orange YXZ1000R SS is only $20,599, which is $2,400 less than the X3 and a whopping $4,400 less than the XP Turbo. With that big of a price gap, you could buy a YXZ, turbocharge it, and then proceed to blow the doors off every RZR XPT and Maverick X3 you come across.
Maverick X3 X rs: UTV or Off-Road Buggy?
One thing is for sure. The new Maverick X3 X rs is the current king in the size, suspension travel and power department and further blurs the line between a UTV and an off-road buggy. The only thing holding it back is the “limit” for a UTV to be 1000cc or less.
We are working hard to get all three of these units side by side on the same trails for some hard core driving comparisons, so check back frequently for more updates. For now, we will leave you with this spec chart-peruse at your hearts content!
Sport UTV Specifications:
| POLARIS RZR XP TURBO | CAN-AM MAVERICK X3 TURBO R | YAMAHA YXZ1000R SS | |
| ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN | |||
| Engine Type | 4 STROKE DOHC TWIN CYLINDER TURBO | 4 STROKE DOHC TRIPLE CYLINDER TURBO | 4 STROKE DOHC TRIPLE CYLINDER |
| Cylinders-Displacement (cc) | 925CC | 900CC | 998CC |
| Transmission/Final Drive | CVT | CVT | 5 SPEED SEQUENTIAL PADDLE SHIFT AUTOMATIC |
| Drive System Type | ON-DEMAND 4WD | VISCO-LOK 4WD | ON-DEMAND 4WD W/ DIFF LOCK |
| Engine Braking System (EBS) | NONE | NONE | NONE, LIMITED BY GEARING |
| Active Descent Control | NONE | NONE | NONE, LIMITED BY GEARING |
| Cooling | LIQUID, W/ CHARGE AIR COOLER | LIQUID, W/ CHARGE AIR COOLER | LIQUID |
| Fuel System | ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION | ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION | ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION |
| SUSPENSION | |||
| Front Suspension | DUAL A-ARM W/ SWAYBAR, FOX 2.5″ PODIUM INTERNAL BYPASS SHOCKS, 16 INCHES TRAVEL | DUAL A-ARM W/ SWAY BAR, FOX 2.5″ PODIUM QS3 SHOCKS, 20 INCHES TRAVEL | DUAL A-ARM W/ SWAYBAR, FOX 2.5″ PODIUM SHOCKS, 16.2 INCHES TRAVEL |
| Rear Suspension | THREE LINK TRAILING ARM W/ SWAYBAR, FOX 3.0″ PODIUM INTERNAL BYPASS SHOCKS, 18 INCHES TRAVEL | FOUR LINK TRAILING ARM W/ SWAYBAR, FOX 2.5″ PODIUM QS3 SHOCKS, 20 INCHES TRAVEL | DUAL TRAILING A-ARM W/ SWAYBAR, FOX 2.5″ PODIUM SHOCKS, 17 INCHES TRAVEL |
| BRAKES | |||
| Front/Rear Brakes | 4-WHEEL HYDRAULIC DISC, THREE PISTON FRONT AND TWO PISTON REAR CALIPERS | 4-WHEEL HYDRAULIC DISC, TWO PISTON CALIPERS | 4-WHEEL HYDRAULIC DISC, TWO PISTON CALIPERS, DRIVESHAFT MOUNTED PARKING BRAKE |
| Parking Brake | PARK IN TRANSMISSION | PARK IN TRANSMISSION | PARKING BRAKE |
| TIRES / WHEELS | |||
| Front Tires | 29X9-14 MAXXIS BIGHORN | 28X9-14 MAXXIS BIGHORN | 27X9-14 MAXXIS BIGHORN |
| Rear Tires | 29X11-14 MAXXIS BIGHORN | 28X11-14 MAXXIS BIGHORN | 27X11-14 MAXXIS BIGHORN |
| Wheels | CAST ALUMINUM | CAST ALUMINUM | CAST ALUMINUM |
| DIMENSIONS | |||
| Rear Rack or Box Capacity | 300 LBS | 200 LBS | 300 LBS |
| Fuel Capacity (Litres) | 9.5 GAL | 10.5 GAL | 9.0 GAL |
| Ground Clearance | 13.5 INCHES | 14 INCHES | 13 INCHES |
| Overall Vehicle Size (L x W x H) | 119 X 64 73.75 INCHES | 131 X 64 X 66 INCHES | 122.8 X 64 X 72.2 INCHES |
| Wheelbase | 90 INCHES | 102 INCHES | 90.5 INCHES |
| Estimated Dry Weight (pounds/kg) | 1495 LBS (DRY WEIGHT) | 1470 LBS (DRY WEIGHT) | 1554 LB (WET WEIGHT) |
| FEATURES | |||
| Color / Graphics | TBA FOR 2017, SPECTRA ORANGE, GRAPHITE CRYSTAL, VELOCITY BLUE (2016 COLORS) | WHITE/BLACK, YELLOW/BLACK (DS), ALL BLACK (DS/RS), GOLD/RED (RS) | TEAM YAMAHA BLUE, BLAZE ORANGE, MATTE BLACK (SE) |
| Electronic Power Steering | STANDARD | STANDARD | STANDARD |
| Instrumentation | FULL DIGITAL, SINGLE GAUGE | FULL DIGITAL, DUAL GAUGE | FULL DIGITAL, TACH W/ DUAL LCD SCREENS |
| Lighting | LED HEADLIGHT, LED TAIL LIGHT | LED HEADLIGHT, LED TAIL LIGHT | HALOGEN HEADLIGHT, LED TAIL LIGHT |
| PRICE | |||
| BASE | TBA FOR 2017, $24,999 (2016 PRICE) | $22,999 | $20,599 (ORANGE) |
| SE | NO SE MODEL | $24,999 (X ds), $26,699 (X rs) | $20,799 (BLUE), TBA FOR 2017 (BLACK SE) |
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