2018 Can-Am Maverick X3 900 HO vs. Polaris RZR XP 1000: By the Numbers

Story by Derrek Sigler. Photos by BRP & Polaris. Published Dec. 04, 2017 0 Updated Dec. 07, 2017

We wanted to see how the new 2018 Can-Am Maverick X3 900 stacks up against the Polaris RZR XP 1000.

It seems that about every week, one of the manufacturers reveals another new model. I’m not complaining, mind you. I love it, and I’m sure you do too. Can-Am has been on fire lately with a pile of new models, the most recent being the somewhat quiet addition of the new Can-Am Maverick X3 900 HO, a slightly more budget-friendly version of its top-shelf performance UTV. The whole purpose of these By the Numbers articles is to answer the common question people have – how does machine A compare to Machine B. In the case of the new X3 900, the closest machine from a competitor is the Polaris RZR XP 1000. Why not the RZR 900? Keep reading and you’ll see.

	2018 Can-Am Maverick X3 900 HO	2018 Polaris RZR XP 1000
Price	$17,999	$17,999
Engine	900cc Triple	999cc Twin
Horsepower	90	110
Driveline/Differential	Selectable 2WD / 4WD with Visco-Lok X auto-locking front differential	High Performance True On-Demand AWD/2WD
Transmission	Quick Response System X(QRS-X) CVT with high airflow, L / H / N / R / P	Automatic PVT P/R/N/L/H
Wheelbase	102 in	90 in
Overall Dimensions (LxWxH)	131 x 64 x 65 in	119 x 64 x 73.75 in
Dry Weight	1,470 lbs	1,369 lbs
Front Tires	Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 27 x 9-14 in	29 x 9-14; Maxxis Bighorn
Rear Tires	Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 27 x 11-14 in	29 x 11-14; Maxxis Bighorn
Ground Clearance	13.0 in	13.5 in
Fuel Capacity	10.5 gal	9.5 gal
Front Suspension	Double A-arm with sway bar 18-in. (45.7 cm) travel	Dual A-Arm 16 in (40.6 cm) Travel
Rear Suspension	4-link Torsional Trailing-arm X (TTX) with sway bar 18-in (45.7 cm) travel	Trailing Arm with Stabilizer Bar and 18 in (45.7 cm) Travel
Front/Rear Brakes	Four ventilated disc brakes with hydraulic twin-piston calipers	4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc with Dual-Bore Front and Rear Calipers
Bed/Rack Capacity	200 lbs	300 lbs

Power

So, the Can-Am Maverick X3 900 runs a three-cylinder engine, just like the rest of the X3s. In this case it is a 900cc specially tuned Rotax that pumps out 90 horsepower. The X3 900 HO is designed as a lower cost version of the X3, so those who want the suspension, handling and styling of the machine can save a few bucks. Being a triple, the engine should have a healthy roar and a broad power delivery.

Polaris runs a 999cc ProStar Twin in the RZR XP that pumps out 110 horses. By comparison, the RZR 900 runs on a 75-horsepower motor that just doesn’t quite hang with the X3. The XP 1000 is pretty close to what you’d get in the Can-Am, power wise.

Both machines run on a CVT-type automatic transmission with Polaris running its standard PVT system and Can-Am outfitting the X3 with the QRS-X Quick Response System-X CVT that has increased airflow.

Suspension

The Can-Am X3 line quickly made heads turn with amazing suspension. We’ve all seen the video of the X3 pounding through some dessert whoops. For the 900 HO, Can-Am equipped it with 2.5-inch Fox Podium shocks with 18 inches of travel front and rear. The front shocks ride on dual A-arms, while the rear floats on torsional trailing arms with the TTA X designed set up for extreme performance. Front and rear sway bars were added to reduce body roll and improve cornering.

The RZR XP 1000 comes set up with 2-inch Walker Evans Racing 16-position adjustable needle shocks. There re 16 inches of travel in the front and 18 in the rear. The front rides on dual A-arms and the rear is set up on trailing arms. Both ends have stabilizer bars for handling.

And More…

Both machines run Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires, with the Can-Am running 27-inch rubber and the RZR rolling on 29s.

Both machines are 64 inches wide. The Can-Am Maverick X3 900 is longer at 131 inches compared to the Polaris RZR XP 1000’s 119 inches. The RZR has the height advantage at 73.75 inches tall to the Can-Am’s 65.

When it boils down to the ultimate decider for some – cost – it’s a tie. Both machines have an MSRP of $17,999. Still can’t decide? Get to your local dealer and see them for yourself.