By Jon Crowley
Our 2018 Can-Am Defender XT-P HD10 had already proven itself around the ranch. For this test, I wanted to find out how well its upgraded suspension and comfortable cab worked away from chores. After fitting 30-inch ITP tires, I joined Sean from Off Road Tahoe for a 20-mile ride through Tahoe National Forest.
We first drove the Can-Am Defender HD10 when it arrived in 2015. It was built primarily for work, but the Defender XT-P added equipment aimed at riders who also wanted to hunt, camp and explore. Its 72-hp Rotax V-twin, cargo bed and three-seat bench remained useful on the ranch; FOX 2.0 PODIUM shocks, 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires and 12 inches of claimed ground clearance made the XT-P more appealing on a rough trail.
What the 2018 Defender XT-P adds
The XT-P package combined FOX shocks with aluminum rock sliders, a full skid plate, a heavy-duty front bumper, a central mirror and a bolstered VERSA-PRO bench seat. Its drivetrain offered selectable 2WD and 4WD with an open or locked rear differential. The 2018 XT-P used a Visco-Lok QE automatic-locking front differential; Smart-Lok was fitted to the Defender X mr, not this XT-P.
Before heading for the forest, we put the Defender to work towing our Kunz Engineering rough-cut mower. The machine felt smooth and quiet, the seats were comfortable, and its tight turning radius helped in the pasture. We later covered that side of ownership in our Defender XT-P field-mowing report.
Fitting 30-inch ITP Versa Cross tires
The Defender X mr came with 30-inch tires, so I wanted to see whether the XT-P could accommodate a similar size without a lift. I mounted 30x10R14 ITP Versa Cross tires on 14×7 ITP Hurricane wheels with a 5+2 offset. They fit, although I noticed a little contact at the driver-side fender during a full turn. That was a fitment observation on our vehicle and wheel setup, so I would check clearance carefully before assuming the same combination will clear on another Defender.
The taller tires provided more space beneath the chassis and more tire between the rocks and the wheels. I expected some tradeoffs: a higher center of gravity and a little less snap when accelerating. The trail ride would tell me whether the added clearance was worth it.
Riding Tahoe National Forest
Sean from Off Road Tahoe led our 20-mile ride near Truckee, California. The route mixed faster graded roads with rough forest trails, rocks and water bars. You can read more about the area and that outing in our Tahoe National Forest ride report. This account describes our 2018 ride; check current Forest Service route maps and access rules before planning your own trip.
On that terrain, the FOX 2.0 PODIUM shocks were the XT-P’s standout upgrade. They made the rough sections more comfortable and handled sudden dips better than I expect from a typical work-focused utility UTV. The bolsters on the VERSA-PRO bench helped keep me in place as the trail got uneven, while the seat cushions remained comfortable over the ride.
The trail never became difficult enough to put the front differential’s traction system to a serious test. That question would have to wait for more demanding terrain; we later took this Defender rock crawling on the Rubicon Trail.
I did not experience tire rubbing during the trail ride. The extra clearance was noticeable when crossing rocks, and I felt more confident with the taller tires protecting the wheels. Acceleration was slightly softer, and the higher stance is worth remembering on off-camber ground. Back at the ranch, I also expected the added clearance and traction to help in muddy pastures while towing the mower.
What I would change
The door nets did their job, but I found them cumbersome when getting in and out repeatedly for ranch work. Half doors would be more practical for the way I use the Defender and would offer some additional protection from trail debris and weather.
A roof was another priority for long days in the sun. I would have liked both doors and a roof included with this recreation-oriented trim, though Can-Am offered accessories to add them.
The heavy-duty front bumper also looked ready for a winch. Whether helping another vehicle on a trail or handling a job around the property, a winch is useful equipment for a machine that works and explores. We subsequently installed a WARN AXON 55-S winch on our Defender XT-P.
Verdict
The Defender XT-P handled this Tahoe National Forest ride better than I expected from a utility-focused UTV. Its FOX shocks and supportive bench made rough miles enjoyable, while our 30-inch tires added useful clearance with only minor fitment contact at full steering lock and a modest reduction in acceleration. I still wanted half doors, a roof and a winch, but the XT-P showed that it could spend a workday on the ranch and head out exploring afterward.
More photos from our Defender XT-P test
