We tested the original 2014 Can-Am Maverick MAX 1000R X rs DPS on trails near Nassau, New York. This period review preserves Jon Crowley’s firsthand impressions of Can-Am’s first four-seat sport UTV.
By Jon Crowley
I packed my bags and headed east with Can-Am to Albany, New York, for its 2014 model-year press event. One of the vehicles I was most interested in driving was the all-new Can-Am Maverick MAX 1000R.
Can-Am first unveiled the MAX at the 2012 Sand Sports Super Show, so it had been a long wait to finally get behind the wheel. The big question was whether stretching the original Maverick into a four-seat platform would preserve the performance and handling that made the two-seat model so entertaining.
The Maverick MAX 1000R X rs DPS is 29.5 inches longer than the two-seat Maverick.
2014 Can-Am Maverick MAX X rs DPS First Impressions
Before jumping behind the wheel, I took a good look at the new machine. The model we drove was the Maverick MAX 1000R X rs DPS. Compared with the base MAX, the X rs package added Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering, the quicker-engaging Visco-Lok QE front differential, FOX 2.5 Podium Performance shocks, an upgraded gauge, X-package graphics and beadlock wheels.
In my opinion, the power steering and 2.5-inch FOX shocks made the X rs the version to have.
At first glance, the Maverick MAX looked long—really long. It measured 147.5 inches overall, with a 113.8-inch wheelbase. That made it 29.5 inches longer than the original two-seat Maverick. By comparison, the contemporary Polaris RZR XP 4 had a 107.4-inch wheelbase and measured 134.4 inches overall.
I was skeptical that I would like a sport UTV that large, but the MAX did a good job of hiding its size once we started moving.
Tri-Mode Power Steering Makes a Big Difference
From the front seat, the MAX felt much like the original Maverick. One important difference for me was its Dynamic Power Steering. A switch on the dash allowed the driver to select High, Medium or Low steering assistance, and the selected setting appeared on the gauge display.
I am a huge fan of power steering in a UTV, and a vehicle this big really benefits from it. I owned a Maverick without power steering at the time, so I was anxious to see how Can-Am’s system worked.
The improvement was immediately noticeable. The settings were easy to change on the fly, and the steering feedback felt spot-on. Nicely done, Can-Am.
The Maverick MAX provided comfortable seating for four adults in a sporty package.
Long Wheelbase, Predictable Handling
We initially drove the Maverick MAX with only two people aboard. Power was strong enough that it was easy to forget there were two more seats behind us.
The longer wheelbase became more apparent when the terrain grew rough or when we pushed harder through corners. Rather than making the MAX feel cumbersome, the added length made it very stable and difficult to get out of shape. I was pleasantly surprised by how nimble it felt for such a long machine.
That stability was one of the most memorable parts of the drive. The original Maverick could feel lively, but the MAX’s longer chassis gave it a more planted and predictable personality without taking away its sporty character.
Rear-Seat Comfort
On the second day, I spent some time riding in the rear. At 6 feet 1 inch tall, I found the Maverick MAX to be one of the better four-seat UTVs of its era for rear-passenger comfort.
The rear seats were positioned 3.5 inches higher than the front seats, creating a stadium-seating effect. That elevated position improved forward visibility and made the back of the vehicle feel less confined.
Can-Am also provided multiple handholds for the rear passengers, including grips near the center console and additional grab bars near the cage. Full-length side nets opened easily and left a relatively clear line of sight from the rear seats.
Charging through the trails in the Maverick MAX 1000R X rs DPS.
Performance With Four Passengers
Even loaded with four adults, the Maverick MAX still delivered good power from its naturally aspirated 976cc Rotax V-twin. Its 101 horsepower was a significant number when this machine arrived, and the engine remained entertaining despite the extra chassis length and passenger capacity.
The suspension also performed well. If I planned to ride frequently with four people aboard, however, I would add a little more compression damping to better support the additional load.
That adjustment was available with the FOX 2.5 Podium shocks fitted to the X rs. The shocks offered dual-speed compression and rebound adjustment, allowing the suspension to be tuned for different terrain, speeds and passenger loads.
2014 Can-Am Maverick MAX 1000R Specifications
| Engine | 976cc liquid-cooled Rotax V-twin |
|---|---|
| Claimed output | 101 horsepower |
| Seating capacity | Four |
| Overall length | 147.5 inches |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 inches |
| Wheelbase increase | 29.5 inches longer than the two-seat Maverick |
| Rear-seat height | 3.5 inches higher than the front seats |
| Transmission | Continuously variable transmission |
| Front differential | Visco-Lok; quicker-engaging Visco-Lok QE on the X rs DPS |
| X rs shocks | FOX 2.5 Podium Performance shocks with dual-speed compression and rebound adjustment |
| X rs wheels | 12-inch aluminum beadlock wheels |
What the Maverick MAX X rs DPS Package Added
- Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering with High, Medium and Low assistance settings
- Quicker-engaging Visco-Lok QE front differential
- FOX 2.5 Podium Performance shocks
- 12-inch aluminum beadlock wheels
- Upgraded analog and digital gauge package
- X-package graphics and seat trim
- Black-and-yellow or white, Can-Am Red and black color schemes
The Tri-Mode DPS and Visco-Lok QE worked together especially well in slower, more technical terrain. The power steering reduced driver effort, while the automatically engaging front differential transferred power away from a slipping front tire without requiring the driver to operate another switch or lever.
The FOX 2.5 Podium shocks were another meaningful upgrade rather than a cosmetic package item. Their compression and rebound adjustments made it possible to tune the MAX for aggressive driving or compensate for the weight of additional passengers.
2014 Can-Am Maverick MAX Review Verdict
Can-Am’s first entry into the four-seat sport UTV segment was a home run. The Maverick MAX was undeniably long, but it was much more agile than its dimensions suggested. The extended wheelbase added stability in rough terrain and hard cornering, while the 101-horsepower Rotax engine still provided good performance with four adults aboard.
I would personally prefer to split four people between two UTVs, but that is not practical for many enthusiasts. For a family or group that needed four seats without giving up the power and personality of a sport machine, the original Maverick MAX was worth a serious look.
Its strong ergonomics, comfortable elevated rear seats, predictable handling and aggressive styling helped establish a formula Can-Am would continue developing in later four-seat performance models.
For additional history, specifications and links to other period reviews, visit our first-generation Can-Am Maverick 1000R model guide.
More Maverick MAX Photos
Maverick MAX 1000R X rs DPS equipped with BRP accessories.
