By Jon Crowley
The 2025 Can-Am Maverick R Max X is a four-seat side-by-side vehicle designed for high-performance off-road adventures. It retains the powerful 240-horsepower Rotax® 999T turbocharged triple-cylinder engine and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) from its two-seat counterpart, ensuring robust performance across various terrains. This car screams “take me to the desert!” with its’ big suspension and gobs of power.
Can-Am Maverick R Max
While you can put the engine in Eco mode and cruise, this is not meant to be a trail machine. It is a HUGE vehicle at 78-inches wide and 175 inches long! That’s 14.5 feet long in case you were wondering. Fitting it in or on your trailer can be a challenge, but as long as you don’t mind how big this car is, the size has a few benefits. First off, there is plenty of room for four full-size adults. the second thing is the 142.5 inch wheelbase enables the car to float over rough terrain without getting out of shape. You can literally bomb through big whoops at 60MPH without breaking a sweat. Wheelbase matters when it comes to rough terrain so. Four-seaters can handle rough terrain much better than a two-seater.
Can-Am Maverick R Max
Since most people already know the Can-Am Maverick R Max is pretty dang good in the open desert, I teamed up with Chad Hughes to see if the new transmission in the Max (with lower low range gearing) could make it a rock crawler. We took it out to Sand Hollow, UT to see how it would do.
While we found the low range in the Maverick R Max much more suited to rock crawling than what is found in the two seat, it is a bit too long for places like the Rubicon or Johnson Valley. But at Sand Hollow, it shines in the rocks. Especially on the steep hill climbs that make you pucker in a two seater.
Top speed in low range is about 38-39MPH compared to about 61-63MPH in the two-seat. This is roughly a 40% drop in gear ratio and makes the Maverick R Max much more controlled in technical situations. The two seat can do it, but you feel much more like you have to cowboy over obstacles (think rock racing at King of the Hammers). What we’ve been told by a technical person at Can-Am is 1st gear in the two seat is about the same as 3rd gear in the Max!
I would definitely like to see the Max transmission migrate into the two seater…
Can-Am Maverick R Max In the rocks at Sand Hollow, Utah
Likes
- Roomy cab for four adults
- Suspension in rough terrain is amazing
- Power is incredible
- Max transmission gearing in low range is MUCH better than the two seat for rock crawling!
- Full 3/8-inch skid plate
- ”Boat-Sided” rocker panels
Dislikes
- Transmission “hunts” for the right gear in the dunes
- Transmission clunk when shifting
- Rear view blocked by intercooler
- Cup holders don’t seem to keep bottles of water in place
- It is a really big car at 14.5 feet long
- Goes through fuel like crazy in the dunes.
Can-Am Maverick R Max
Can-Am Maverick R Max X Specifications
Performance & Powertrain
- Engine: 999cc Rotax® ACE turbocharged inline 3-cylinder, liquid-cooled
- Horsepower: 240 hp
- Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with high/low range
- Drive Modes: Selectable 2WD / 4WD with Smart-Lok™ front differential
- Top Speed: Approximately 100 mph
Suspension & Handling
- Front Suspension: Double A-arm with FOX® 2.5 PODIUM Piggyback shocks, QS3 compression adjustment
- Rear Suspension: Torsional Trailing-arm X (TTX) with FOX® 2.5 PODIUM Piggyback shocks, QS3 compression adjustment
- Suspension Travel: 24 inches (front and rear)
- Ground Clearance: 17 inches
- Tires: ITP Tenacity XNR 32 x 10 x 16 in tires on 15-inch aluminum wheels (non-beadlock)
Dimensions & Capacity
- Overall Length: 175 inches (14.5 feet!)
- Wheelbase: 142.5 inches
- Width: 78.1 inches
- Height: 70 inches
- Curb Weight: Approximately 2,300 lbs
- Fuel Capacity: 10.5 gallons
Technology & Features
- Display: 10.25-inch touchscreen with BRP Connect™ for navigation, infotainment, and vehicle diagnostics
- Audio System: Optional premium audio system with Bluetooth connectivity
- Lighting: LED headlights and taillights
- Additional Features: Smart-Shox™ semi-active suspension (available on select trims), integrated front bumper, full skid plate, and half doors
