By Cody Hooper
Photos by Casey Cordiero, Joshua Carper, Cody Hooper and Jon Crowley
From our 2017 Glamis test: Which stock turbocharged UTV made the best two-person dune car? We compared the 2017 Polaris RZR XP Turbo, Can-Am Maverick X3 X ds and Polaris RZR XP 4 Turbo. This is a period comparison of those three machines, not a ranking of today’s showroom choices.
Power matters in deep sand, but wheelbase, suspension behavior and cockpit fit shape an entire day of duning. We had the most stock seat time in these three turbo models. The Yamaha YXZ1000R and Wildcat 1000 X were outside this particular turbo comparison.
2017 stock dune UTV dimensions
We evaluated the four-seat RZR with one driver and one passenger because some duners prefer its longer chassis even when they do not need the rear seats.
| 2017 model | Seats | Length | Width | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RZR XP Turbo | 2 | 119 in. | 64 in. | 90 in. |
| Maverick X3 X ds | 2 | 131 in. | 64 in. | 102 in. |
| RZR XP 4 Turbo | 4 | 146 in. | 64 in. | 117 in. |
The X3’s 102-inch wheelbase falls between the RZRs: 12 inches longer than the two-seat XP Turbo and 15 inches shorter than the XP 4. Wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear axle centerlines. All else equal, a longer chassis generally settles fore-and-aft pitching in whoops, while a shorter one changes direction more readily. Tires, suspension tuning, speed and dune conditions also affect the result.
RZR XP Turbo: quickest to turn
At 90 inches between the axles, the two-seat RZR felt the most agile in tight dune transitions. It was also the most inclined to pitch and buck across uneven whoops. With enough traction, its punchy acceleration made lifting the front wheels part of the fun. Drivers who prize quick turn-in and a lively feel may prefer this chassis.
RZR XP 4 Turbo: composed in chop
The XP 4’s 117-inch wheelbase is 27 inches longer than the two-seat RZR’s. It stayed more level and controlled in rough, fast sections, especially across successive whoops. In large bowls its size was easy to live with; in tighter dunes it needed more room to turn and felt less eager to change direction. Its rear seats offer room for more passengers or gear.
Maverick X3 X ds: the middle ground
The 102-inch X3 X ds blended the two strengths. In our Glamis driving it crossed whoops with less pitching than the short RZR yet remained easier to place and turn than the XP 4. Its suspension travel and low, stretched-out driving position added to the comfortable feel. Its cabin offered more front legroom than either RZR in this comparison.
We kept the much longer Maverick X3 MAX outside this matchup; our separate test covers how that four-seat machine handled the dunes.
Power and driving character
The 2017 RZR XP Turbo was rated at 168 horsepower and the X3 X ds at 154 horsepower, a 14-horsepower difference on paper. Both had ample thrust in the sand, and the spec gap did not dominate our seat-of-the-pants comparison. The RZR’s turbocharged twin delivered a hard-hitting, throaty feel; the Rotax triple in the X3 brought a different rush and distinctive intake sound. Dune tires and conditions can change how either puts its power down.
Our 2017 verdict
The stock Maverick X3 X ds was our favorite of these three for two-person dune duty. Its wheelbase, cockpit and suspension struck the best balance of comfort, stability and agility in our test. Choose the two-seat XP Turbo if you enjoy its fast response and playful front end. The XP 4 Turbo suits riders who value a steadier feel through rough sections and the option to carry more people.
These conclusions apply to the 2017 models we drove. The Maverick X3 X rs dune review explores the wider X rs separately, and our later Wildcat XX review covers another dune contender that was not part of this test.
We also saw customized X3 X rs machines from TMW Offroad and SDR Motorsports in Glamis. They looked strong in the sand, but modified examples did not factor into our stock-car verdict.
