By Jon Crowley
When I first walked up to the new 2018 Can-Am Maverick Trail at Bear River Lodge in northern Utah, its length stood out. Can-Am built a 50-inch-wide side-by-side with a 90.6-inch wheelbase—nearly 12 inches longer than the contemporary Polaris RZR 900. After driving it on the surrounding trails, that extra length was the feature I remembered most.
A Roomier 50-Inch Trail UTV
Can-Am put some of the added wheelbase to good use in the cockpit. At 6 feet 1 inch tall, I appreciated the legroom as soon as I sat down. On rough stretches, the longer chassis also felt smooth and predictable. These are meaningful advantages when you want access to 50-inch trails without feeling squeezed into a particularly short machine.
The wheelbase has a cost. A longer UTV needs more space to turn and has a shallower breakover angle than a shorter one with similar ground clearance. Near Bear River Lodge, where we encountered few width restrictions and had room to maneuver, I preferred the extra length. On trails with closely spaced trees and sharp switchbacks, I would want to compare it directly with shorter 50-inch models. We did not measure turning circles during this first ride.
This Instagram clip from our trip shows the Maverick Trail crossing a 60-inch bridge:
2018 Can-Am Maverick Trail 1000 Specifications
These figures and prices describe the original 2018 model, not a current showroom vehicle. The launch lineup included Trail 800 and Trail 1000 versions, each offered with or without Dynamic Power Steering. This table describes the base Trail 1000 without DPS.
| Original MSRP | $12,999 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 976cc Rotax V-twin; 75 hp |
| Transmission | CVT with electronic belt protection and extra-low gear |
| Power steering | Not fitted on base Trail 1000; available on DPS model |
| Suspension travel | 10 in. front / 10.5 in. rear |
| Shocks | Twin-tube gas-charged |
| Tires | Carlisle ACT 26 x 8-12 front / 26 x 9-12 rear |
| Length / width / height | 118 / 50 / 69 in. |
| Wheelbase | 90.6 in. |
| Ground clearance | 10 in. |
| Fuel capacity | 10 gal. |
| Tow rating | 1,500 lb. |
First-Ride Takeaway
The Maverick Trail’s first impression was clear: its generous cockpit and composed ride made the most of its 50-inch width, while its length could be a drawback on the tightest trails. For the complete account of our two-day Utah test, including handling, suspension, powertrain and later model updates, read our Can-Am Maverick Trail review. Our 2017 comparison of 50-inch trail UTVs puts it alongside the RZR 900, Wildcat Trail and Pioneer 500.
2018 Can-Am Maverick Trail Photo Gallery
