2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 MAX: Four-Seat Sport UTV Unveiled

Can-Am expanded its high-performance sport UTV lineup in February 2017 with the introduction of the 2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 MAX. Unveiled in Reno, Nevada, the new four-seat side-by-side carried the aggressive design, turbocharged Rotax power and long-travel suspension of the original two-seat Maverick X3 into a significantly longer chassis built for four occupants.

The Maverick X3 MAX debuted with a 154-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder engine, a 135-inch wheelbase and three available packages. More than simply adding two rear seats, Can-Am created a spacious four-seat Ergo-Lok cockpit with adjustable seating for every occupant.

Its arrival represented an important expansion of the Maverick X3 family shortly after the two-seat machine disrupted the sport UTV market. For more background on that original platform, read our 2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 review.

2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 MAX at a Glance

154-Horsepower Turbocharged Rotax Engine

Power came from the same turbocharged and intercooled 900cc Rotax ACE inline-three used in the original Maverick X3. Can-Am rated the engine at 154 horsepower, giving the longer MAX the performance needed to compete in the rapidly growing four-seat sport UTV category.

Three dedicated air intakes were mounted high in the chassis. Two supplied cooling air to the continuously variable transmission, while the third fed the engine. Can-Am paired the engine with its high-response QRS-X CVT, which was calibrated to improve throttle response and keep the turbocharged engine operating within its effective power range.

A high-flow exhaust gave the Maverick X3 MAX its distinctive sound, while the intake and cooling system helped it maintain consistent performance during demanding dune and desert driving.

A 135-Inch Wheelbase Built for Stability

The defining measurement of the Maverick X3 MAX was its 135-inch wheelbase. Can-Am stretched the two-seat X3 platform by 33 inches, producing considerably more rear-passenger space and greater stability across rough, high-speed terrain.

That length also created a tradeoff. The MAX required more room in a trailer or toy hauler and could not match a shorter two-seat UTV across tight turns or abrupt breakover transitions. In open desert, dunes and long whoop sections, however, the extended chassis helped reduce pitching and made the machine feel more composed at speed.

Can-Am paired the long chassis with quick-ratio steering, Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering, selectable driving modes and Intelligent Throttle Control. Large 262mm front brake rotors supplied stopping power, while Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires measuring up to 30 inches provided traction.

Spacious Four-Seat Ergo-Lok Cockpit

Can-Am used the longer chassis to create one of the roomiest passenger compartments available in a performance UTV at the time. All four occupants sat low in the Ergo-Lok cockpit rather than placing the rear passengers in dramatically raised stadium-style seats.

Each of the four Ergoprint seats offered adjustment to accommodate passengers of different sizes. The rear seats provided two inches of height adjustment and up to four inches of fore-and-aft movement. Can-Am also claimed up to 18 percent more rear-seat pitch than its closest competitor at the time.

Full rear quarter doors, strategically positioned grab handles and angled footrests helped passengers brace themselves in rough terrain. Most importantly, the second row provided enough usable legroom for full-size adults instead of functioning as occasional seating.

TTX Rear Suspension and FOX Shocks

The Maverick X3 MAX retained Can-Am’s trophy-truck-inspired four-link TTX rear suspension. The design used trailing arms and separate toe links to control rear-wheel movement while providing the travel required for aggressive dune and desert driving.

The flagship 72-inch Maverick X3 MAX X rs offered 22 inches of rear travel with fully adjustable FOX 3.0 Podium RC2 bypass shocks. Arched front A-arms helped provide up to 14 inches of ground clearance, while a full high-molecular-weight polyethylene skid plate protected the underside.

The chassis was constructed from fully welded DP980 steel. Can-Am designed the structure to provide the rigidity and torsional strength needed to maintain precise handling despite the longer wheelbase and additional passenger capacity.

2017 Maverick X3 MAX Packages

Can-Am introduced the four-seat model in three configurations:

• Maverick X3 MAX: The 64-inch-wide base package with the essential X3 MAX engine, chassis and four-seat cockpit.
• Maverick X3 MAX X ds: A 64-inch model with upgraded suspension components and trim for aggressive trail, dune and desert use.
• Maverick X3 MAX X rs: The 72-inch flagship with FOX 3.0 Podium RC2 bypass shocks and 22 inches of rear suspension travel.

The X ds retained a 64-inch footprint, while the wider X rs emphasized maximum suspension performance and stability in open terrain.

2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 MAX Video

Can-Am Maverick X3 MAX Accessories

Can-Am developed the Maverick X3 MAX alongside an extensive collection of genuine accessories. The catalog included products intended to improve protection, storage, lighting, comfort and performance while maintaining vehicle-specific fitment.

Can-Am also collaborated with established aftermarket companies on co-branded accessories developed specifically for the Maverick X3 and Maverick X3 MAX platforms. This gave owners more ways to configure the machine for dunes, desert riding, recreation or long-distance trips.

Original Maverick X3 MAX Specifications

The following image contains the original specifications published for the 2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 MAX lineup. Click the image to view the full-size version.

UTVGuide’s Maverick X3 MAX First Ride

The launch specifications were impressive, but the real question was how the extra wheelbase and passenger capacity would affect performance. UTVGuide answered that shortly after the unveiling by testing the Maverick X3 MAX X ds in the Glamis sand dunes.

Our first ride found that the MAX remained surprisingly manageable despite its overall size. The long chassis was particularly effective across rough sand whoops, where the distance between the front and rear axles helped the UTV remain flatter and more controlled.

Read the complete 2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 MAX X ds dune review for our driving impressions, passenger-comfort observations and evaluation of the long-wheelbase chassis.

Why the Original Maverick X3 MAX Matters

The 2017 Maverick X3 MAX established Can-Am as a serious competitor in the four-seat, high-performance UTV category. It combined genuine adult-sized rear seating with the power and suspension capability buyers expected from the original Maverick X3.

The platform subsequently received more horsepower, revised clutches and additional specialized packages. A later version of the Maverick X3 MAX X rs was rated at 172 horsepower and tested against the Polaris RZR XP 4 Turbo S in UTVGuide’s four-seat sport UTV comparison.

The X3 MAX also became a popular foundation for custom dune and desert machines. Our 2019 Can-Am Maverick X3 MAX X rs Turbo R build demonstrates how owners and the aftermarket developed the four-seat platform.

Can-Am eventually applied the MAX formula to its next-generation flagship. The modern Can-Am Maverick R MAX X review covers a fundamentally different engine, transmission and chassis, but the mission remains familiar: deliver serious open-terrain performance without leaving the rear passengers behind.

2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 MAX Verdict

On paper, the first Maverick X3 MAX appeared exceptionally long. From behind the wheel, however, the 135-inch wheelbase became one of its defining performance advantages in dunes, whoops and fast desert terrain. The extended chassis also gave adult rear passengers an unusually generous amount of usable space.

The length required additional planning for transportation and technical terrain, but the combination of 154 horsepower, four adjustable seats and long-travel suspension made the 2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 MAX one of the most significant four-seat sport UTV introductions of its era.