Introduced in October 2016 for the 2017 model year, the Can-Am Defender HD5 brought a smaller engine to Can-Am’s full-size, three-seat utility side-by-side. It retained the Defender’s work-focused cab and cargo box while offering a 38-hp Rotax single-cylinder engine. The HD5 joined the HD8 and HD10 in the growing Can-Am Defender family.
2017 Can-Am Defender HD5 Engine and Drivetrain
The HD5 used a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 427cc Rotax single-cylinder engine rated at 38 hp. Its CVT included Park, Reverse, Neutral, High and Low ranges, along with standard engine braking and electronic drive belt protection. Selectable 2WD and 4WD worked with a Visco-Lok auto-locking front differential; the DPS model received Visco-Lok QE and Dynamic Power Steering.
Can-Am promoted a one-year maintenance interval, subject to 1,865 miles or 200 operating hours, and no initial break-in service. Owners should follow the maintenance schedule in their vehicle’s operator’s guide.
Suspension, Dimensions and Work Capacity
A double A-arm front suspension and TTA-HD rear suspension each offered 10 inches of travel with twin-tube gas-charged shocks. The HD5 had 10.5 inches of ground clearance, an 83-inch wheelbase, a 62-inch width and 25-inch Maxxis tires on 12-inch wheels.
Its tilting cargo box was rated for 600 pounds, while the vehicle’s payload rating was 1,200 pounds and towing capacity was 1,500 pounds. The fuel tank held 10.6 gallons. These are the HD5’s ratings; the larger-engine Defenders had different capacities.
Cab, Storage and HD5 Trims
The VERSA-PRO bench seated three, with passenger sections that flipped up to create cab space for gear. The cargo box incorporated LinQ accessory mounting points, tie-downs and recesses for dividers. The standard HD5 had 3.1 gallons of listed onboard storage and steel wheels. The Defender DPS HD5 added power steering, cast-aluminum wheels and 10.4 gallons of listed onboard storage, including a removable, water-resistant toolbox. Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo was an available DPS finish.
2017 Defender HD5 Specifications
| Engine | 427cc liquid-cooled Rotax single; 38 hp |
|---|---|
| Transmission | CVT with Park, Reverse, Neutral, High and Low |
| Drive | Selectable 2WD/4WD; Visco-Lok front differential (Visco-Lok QE on DPS) |
| Suspension travel | 10 inches front and rear |
| Ground clearance | 10.5 inches |
| Wheelbase / width | 83 inches / 62 inches |
| Cargo box / payload / towing | 600 / 1,200 / 1,500 pounds |
| Fuel capacity / seating | 10.6 gallons / three people |
Specifications refer to the 2017 Defender HD5 and Defender DPS HD5. For trim-specific equipment and complete details, see Can-Am’s HD5 spec sheet and DPS HD5 spec sheet.
The HD5 remains a useful reference point in Defender history: it paired the original full-size utility platform with an entry-level engine. For the platform’s later generations, see our Can-Am Defender history and model guide and 2027 Can-Am UTV lineup.
