The 2024 Can-Am Maverick R marked one of the biggest performance leaps in sport UTV history. Introduced as an entirely new platform, the two-seat Maverick R combined a 240-horsepower turbocharged Rotax engine with an industry-first seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, a 77-inch-wide chassis and up to 26 inches of rear suspension travel.
Rather than updating the existing Maverick X3, Can-Am started with a new engine, transmission, chassis, suspension design and cockpit. The result was a flagship side-by-side developed primarily for high-speed desert terrain, large dunes and aggressive recreational driving.
This first-look guide explains what made the original 2024 Can-Am Maverick R different, how its transmission and suspension work, and how the four launch trims compared. For driving impressions, acceleration testing and real-world feedback, read our separate Can-Am Maverick R first-ride review.
2024 Can-Am Maverick R Specifications
| Specification | 2024 Can-Am Maverick R |
|---|---|
| Engine | 999cc turbocharged Rotax inline-three |
| Claimed horsepower | 240 hp |
| Transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with High and Low ranges |
| Drive modes | Normal, Sport and Sport+ |
| Drivetrain | Selectable 2WD/4WD with available Smart-Lok front differential |
| Width | Approximately 77 inches; Can-Am lists 78.1 inches overall |
| Wheelbase | 108 inches |
| Front suspension travel | 25 inches |
| Rear suspension travel | Up to 26 inches |
| Ground clearance | 17 inches |
| Stock tires | 32-inch ITP Tenacity XNR |
| Wheel bolt pattern | Six-lug, 139.7mm |
Specifications vary by trim. Suspension travel is commonly rounded to 25 inches in front and 26 inches in the rear.
240-Horsepower Turbocharged Rotax Engine
Power comes from the Rotax 999T, a 999cc turbocharged inline-three producing a claimed 240 horsepower. That made the Maverick R the most powerful production side-by-side announced for the 2024 model year.
The engine uses dual fuel injectors for each cylinder and an electronically controlled wastegate to regulate turbocharger boost. Can-Am also developed a new intake system designed to deliver the airflow required by the engine while keeping routine air-filter service accessible.
Peak horsepower tells only part of the story. The defining feature of the Maverick R powertrain is how the engine works with a true geared transmission instead of the continuously variable transmission used by most automatic sport UTVs.
Seven-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission
The Maverick R introduced the first seven-speed dual-clutch transmission developed by Rotax for an off-road side-by-side. The DCT uses two computer-controlled clutches: one manages the odd-numbered gears, while the second handles the even-numbered gears. The transmission can prepare the next gear before the shift occurs, allowing it to change ratios quickly with minimal interruption in power delivery.
Drivers can leave the transmission in automatic mode or select gears with the available steering-column-mounted paddle shifters. High and Low ranges provide separate operating ranges for different terrain, although the original two-seat Maverick R’s Low range remained relatively tall compared with later rock-focused versions.
Normal, Sport and Sport+ Modes
Three selectable drive modes change throttle response, transmission behavior and engine calibration:
- Normal: Provides smoother throttle response and earlier automatic shifts for more relaxed driving.
- Sport: Sharpens throttle response and allows the engine to remain higher in the rpm range before shifting.
- Sport+: Delivers the most aggressive response and activates Can-Am’s Advanced Response Technology anti-lag strategy.
Advanced Response Technology, or ART, helps keep the turbocharger ready to deliver boost. Under the appropriate conditions, the system temporarily changes combustion and ignition behavior to maintain airflow and turbo speed. When the driver applies full throttle, the engine can respond more quickly with less perceptible turbo lag.
New Wide-Track Chassis
Can-Am built the Maverick R around a new dual-phase steel chassis and integrated V-shaped cage structure. The platform measures approximately 77 inches wide and has a 108-inch wheelbase, giving it a much larger footprint than a conventional 64- or 72-inch sport UTV.
That size is intentional. The wide stance, long wheelbase and low seating position help the vehicle remain stable through high-speed corners, large whoops and uneven desert terrain. The tradeoff is that the Maverick R is not designed for width-restricted trails, and its overall dimensions require careful consideration when choosing a trailer or storage space.
The chassis also reduces the number of heavily loaded bolted suspension connections. Double-bonded suspension bushings were used to improve durability while reducing noise and unwanted movement.
Tall-Knuckle Front Suspension
One of the Maverick R’s most recognizable engineering features is its tall-knuckle front suspension. The forged aluminum knuckle extends upward and connects to a high-mounted upper control arm, creating a double A-arm configuration unlike the compact suspension normally found on a UTV.
The layout helps control suspension geometry through its travel while improving rigidity and distributing loads through the chassis. It contributes to 25 inches of front travel and gives the Maverick R its distinctive front-end appearance.
The rear uses a long-travel trailing-arm design with up to 26 inches of travel. Ground clearance is listed at 17 inches, and the boat-sided lower body helps the chassis slide over terrain rather than presenting a conventional vertical rocker panel.
FOX Shocks and Available Smart-Shox
Suspension equipment varies across the four original Maverick R trims. The X rs models receive larger and more adjustable FOX PODIUM shock packages, while the flagship version adds Smart-Shox with FOX Live Valve Gen 3 technology.
Smart-Shox electronically adjusts both compression and rebound damping. The system monitors vehicle movement and driver inputs, then changes shock settings in real time. Can-Am says it can make more than 200 adjustments per second and move between soft and firm damping settings in less than two-hundredths of a second.
This gives the suspension a broader operating range than a fixed manual setting. It can soften the ride over smaller chatter while adding control during hard acceleration, braking, cornering and large impacts.
Six-Lug Wheels, 32-Inch Tires and Larger Brakes
Can-Am equipped the Maverick R X rs with 32-inch ITP Tenacity XNR tires mounted on 16-inch aluminum beadlock wheels. The platform also introduced a six-lug, 139.7mm wheel bolt pattern commonly associated with light trucks rather than recreational UTVs.
The larger hub and wheel interface were selected to handle the power, vehicle weight and suspension loads generated by the new platform. Owners shopping for aftermarket wheels should therefore verify Maverick R compatibility instead of assuming wheels designed for earlier Can-Am models will fit.
Braking is handled by 265mm front discs with three-piston calipers and 255mm rear discs with two-piston calipers. The larger brake package reflects the Maverick R’s speed and approximately 2,250-pound dry weight in its highest-equipped form.
Ergo-Lok Cockpit and 10.25-Inch Display
The Maverick R cockpit was designed around a low, reclined seating position. Both seats provide four-way adjustment, while the steering wheel telescopes to help accommodate drivers of different sizes.
The Ergo-Lok interior also includes one-piece half doors, a sealed central compartment for phones and small electronics, and a passenger glove box. Can-Am developed several additional cargo options for the vehicle; our guide to 2024 Maverick R storage solutions shows how the factory accessories fit into the limited cargo space.
Selected trims receive a 10.25-inch touchscreen capable of displaying vehicle data, driving statistics and camera views. It also supports navigation through the BRP GO! app along with phone and music connectivity. Steering-wheel controls allow the driver to operate key display functions without reaching across the cockpit.
2024 Can-Am Maverick R Models
Can-Am launched the Maverick R in four configurations. All use the same basic 240-horsepower engine, seven-speed DCT and two-seat chassis, but their suspension, drivetrain technology, wheels and interior equipment differ.
| Model | Position in the 2024 Lineup |
|---|---|
| Maverick R | Entry point to the 240-horsepower platform with the core engine, DCT and chassis. |
| Maverick R X | Adds performance-oriented drivetrain and equipment upgrades over the base model. |
| Maverick R X rs | Desert-focused trim with upgraded FOX suspension, beadlock wheels and premium equipment. |
| Maverick R X rs with Smart-Shox | Flagship version with electronically controlled FOX Live Valve Gen 3 suspension. |
What Was Most Important About the 2024 Maverick R?
The 2024 Maverick R was significant because Can-Am did more than chase a larger horsepower number. Its seven-speed DCT created an alternative to the CVT architecture that had become standard across the automatic sport UTV market.
The tall-knuckle suspension, six-lug hubs, wide-track chassis and electronically controlled shocks also demonstrated how far manufacturers were willing to move beyond traditional UTV construction in pursuit of higher speed and greater durability.
The original vehicle was most at home in open desert and large dunes. Its width and tall Low-range gearing made it less natural on slow, confined rock trails. Can-Am subsequently addressed that limitation with the lower-geared Maverick R X rc rock-crawling model.
How the Maverick R Platform Evolved
Can-Am expanded the platform for 2025 with the four-seat Maverick R MAX. In addition to carrying four adults, the MAX uses a 142.5-inch wheelbase and substantially lower Low-range gearing. Our Can-Am Maverick R MAX X review examines its size, ride quality, DCT behavior and surprising technical capability at Sand Hollow.
The Maverick R remains distinctive even as new flagship competitors have entered the market. See how its 240-horsepower Rotax engine, seven-speed DCT and long-travel chassis compare with the newest machines in our RZR Pro R Boost vs. Teryx H2 vs. Maverick R comparison.
2024 Can-Am Maverick R FAQ
How much horsepower does the 2024 Can-Am Maverick R have?
The 2024 Maverick R produces a claimed 240 horsepower from a 999cc turbocharged Rotax inline-three engine.
Does the Maverick R use a drive belt?
No. The Maverick R uses a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission rather than the belt-driven CVT found in most automatic sport UTVs.
How wide is the 2024 Can-Am Maverick R?
Can-Am commonly describes it as a 77-inch-wide platform, while the published overall width is approximately 78.1 inches. It is intended for open terrain rather than width-restricted trails.
How much suspension travel does the Maverick R have?
The Maverick R provides 25 inches of front suspension travel and approximately 26 inches at the rear, depending on the model and how the measurement is rounded.
Is the original Maverick R good for rock crawling?
The original two-seat Maverick R is capable in open technical terrain, but its tall Low range makes precise crawling more difficult. The later Maverick R X rc and four-seat Maverick R MAX use substantially lower Low-range gearing and provide better slow-speed control.
What is the best 2024 Maverick R trim for rough desert terrain?
The Maverick R X rs is the primary desert-performance trim. The X rs with Smart-Shox adds electronically controlled compression and rebound damping, giving it the broadest suspension adjustment range in the original lineup.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 Can-Am Maverick R reset expectations for how a production sport UTV could be engineered. Its 240-horsepower engine generated the headlines, but the seven-speed DCT, wide-track chassis and tall-knuckle suspension were the changes that truly separated it from both the Maverick X3 and its CVT-driven competitors.
It is a large, specialized machine built around speed, stability and rough-terrain performance. Buyers wanting firsthand impressions should continue to our 2024 Can-Am Maverick R first-ride review.
