The Complete Can-Am Side-by-Side & ATV Guide
Visit any high‑speed desert rally or deep‑woods mud bog and you’ll see the distinctive X‑shaped LED signature of a Can‑Am slicing through the dust. Built by BRP, Can‑Am’s off‑road portfolio covers everything from 1,000‑cc sport quads to 240‑horsepower turbocharged side‑by‑sides capable of triple‑digit speeds across open playa. Here's top Can-Am models to take a look at.
Can-Am offers both side‑by‑sides and all‑terrain vehicles, revealing two engineering pillars: Rotax® engines renowned for class‑leading power and sophisticated Smart‑Lok™ differentials or Visco‑Lok† QE systems that tailor traction in real time. Whether you’re hauling cedar posts on a ranch or chasing podiums in the Dakar Rally, Can‑Am fields a purpose‑built machine.
ATV Line‑Up: Outlander, Renegade, and Youth
Outlander serves as Can‑Am’s multi‑tool. Engine choices range from a work‑friendly 500‑cc single to a thunderous 1000R V‑Twin that pumps out up to 91 horsepower—still the most powerful engine in a factory utility quad. Selectable Tri‑Mode Dynamic Power Steering (DPS) lets riders dial steering weight, while a torsional trailing arm (TTA) independent rear suspension supplies 9.9 inches of travel for plush trail manners under load. Max models stretch the wheelbase and add stadium‑style passenger seating plus extended footrests; XT‑P trims bolt on beadlock wheels, Fox† podium shocks, and heavy‑duty bumpers for aggressive terrain. Hunters gravitate to the Mossy Oak Break‑Up Country‑clad Outlander Hunting Edition that arrives with a Kolpin† gun boot, front rack extenders, and handlebar wind deflectors.

Renegade quads skew toward sport aggression. At the top sits the Renegade X xc 1000R, boasting 91 horsepower, 14.5‑inch ground clearance, fully adjustable KYB† HPG piggyback shocks, and ITP Holeshot† tires on beadlocks. A shorter wheelbase and sport seat let riders shift body English quickly in tight trail races. Lower displacements—570 cc and 650 cc—offer the same aggressive stance in an easier‑to‑tame package, perfect for up‑and‑coming GNCC competitors looking to move beyond entry‑class machines.
Can‑Am rounds out the ATV roster with the DS youth series (90 cc two‑stroke and 250 cc four‑stroke). Throttle limiters, electric start, and a built‑in safety tether teach young riders proper skills while letting guardians dial speed to match experience. Stout full‑floorboards and enclosed drive chains emphasize safety, echoing Can‑Am’s adult models in miniature form.
Side‑by‑Side Families: Maverick, Defender, and Commander
When it comes to sheer performance, few machines rival the Maverick line. Headlining 2025 is the Maverick R, packing a three‑cylinder, turbocharged 240‑horsepower Rotax® engine and a high‑performance dual‑clutch gearbox—no CVT belt to overheat in dunes. A welded one‑piece chassis, 77‑inch width, and Smart‑Shox™ semi‑active suspension deliver 25 inches of travel front and rear. For narrower trails or racing classes, Maverick X3 DS models retain 64‑inch width yet still boast up to 200 hp, Smart‑Lok™ selectable diff‑lock modes (2WD, 4WD Trail, 4WD Mud, 4WD Rock), and Ergo‑Lok cockpit with race‑inspired seats.
On the work side, the Defender series is famed for its utility. Crew cab models seat six, while the Defender Pro offers a 6‑foot hydraulic power‑tilt bed—largest in the industry. Rotax HD9 and HD10 engines focus on low‑rpm torque; a terrain mode switch adjusts throttle maps for Eco, Normal, or Work settings that cap speed for chore safety. The cab frame accepts Can‑Am’s LinQ accessories—sprayers, cargo boxes, soft or hard cabs—faster than aftermarket bolt‑ons.
Bridging sport and work, the Commander lineup couples a dumping cargo box (2‑foot bed; 600‑lb payload) with 100‑horsepower fun. A 64‑inch stance navigates wooded single‑track yet remains stable at speed, and double‑arched A‑arms deliver 15 inches of travel. The Commander XT‑P adds Smart‑Lok with a Trail mode, Fox QS3 shocks, and 30‑inch XPS† tires for weekend warrior versatility.
Smart‑Shox, LinQ, and App Ecosystem
Across both ATVs and SxSs, Can‑Am integrates technology to maximize capability. Smart‑Shox uses three accelerometers, steering sensors, and wheel‑travel data to adjust compression and rebound damping up to 200 times per second—keeping the chassis planted through whoops and corners. The LinQ quick‑attach system lets riders lock on boxes, jerry cans, or gun racks tool‑free. BRP GO! smartphone integration turns a mounted phone or seven‑inch digital display into a turn‑by‑turn GPS, music control, and group‑ride tracker, with over‑the‑air trail maps for 230,000 miles of routes.
Conclusion
From the 91‑horsepower Outlander 1000R ATV to the 240‑horsepower Maverick R side‑by‑side, Can‑Am’s 2025 catalog covers every scenario imaginable—farm chores, backcountry hunts, Baja trips, or youth skill‑building. Rotax powerplants deliver unmatched horsepower, Smart‑Lok and Smart‑Shox manage traction and compliance, and LinQ accessories let owners reconfigure machines in minutes. When your adventure or workload demands industry‑leading performance wrapped in Canadian engineering prowess, Can‑Am’s off‑road fleet stands ready to “Ride Better, Ride Stronger.”
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