$15,699 MSRP / 52 HP (Base)

• something in the lineup for everyone

• Works hard, plays hard

• Big ‘ol dump bed

A rec-ute for the everyman.

The Can-Am Commander is the brand’s do-it-all rig. With room for two, a generous payload capacity, and proper capability out on the trail, this machine earns its reputation as equally suited for hauling lumber and hauling the mail.

There are quite a few different varieties of Commander on offer, ranging from the uber-frugal 52 horsepower single cylinder base model to the top-spec 100 horsepower XT-P. You’ve got six different configurations to choose from here, and price, capability, and equipment vary widely between them.

That’s a good thing, though, as it means you can spend under $16,000 and have a great bare-bones rig, or drop up to $30,000 to have Can-Am’s top-of-the-line rec-ute with all the bells and whistles. We’ll help you figure out which one you need, whether you’re looking for a workhorse, a hunting rig, or an overlander.

How much power does it make?

The 2025 Can-Am Commander is available with two engine options. There’s the budget-friendly “700” series, which employs a 650cc liquid cooled single, and then there’s the “1000R” option, which specs a 976cc liquid cooled V-twin.

If you opt for the single, you’re looking at 52 horsepower and 42 lb-ft of torque. That might not sound like much in the modern era, but we’ve found the Commander 700 has all the power it needs (and not one pony more) to make it through the sketchy stuff without issue.

Can-Am claims a full 100 horsepower for the 1000R, thanks to its 976cc Rotax v-twin. We’ll also note that the twin cylinder option is much smoother and quieter than the single, especially when under load.

What makes it special?

The short answer here is variety. On the one hand, the base model Commander DPS is special because it’s affordable (relative to a world where you can spend more than $50,000 on a rig) while still being surprisingly fun on the trail and capable on the job.

On the other hand, machines like the Commander XT-P are special because while they’ll still work as hard as any other rec-ute out there (2,000 pounds of towing capacity and 1,030 pounds of payload), they’ll also go rock crawling in Moab without a second thought thanks to the extra power and features like Can-Am’s excellent Smart-Lok front differential.

Why do I want it?

There are plenty of reasons to want a Commander, many of which are noted above. Frugality, versatility, capability, and handsome looks are just a few of the selling points here, but the Commander is more than just a great value.

For instance, every Commander comes equipped with full doors, which come in handy when things get muddy. They’re also surprisingly light, weighing as little as 1,530 pounds dry for the base model, which means you can haul them out to the trail in damn near anything north of a Honda Accord.

That being said, we’d argue that the main selling point for any Commander is that it fulfills the promise of a rec-ute exceptionally well. It tows and hauls with the best of them, packs a legitimately capable chassis and drivetrain, and has proven to be one of the most reliable rigs on the market whether you opt for the 700 series or the v-twin.

Why don’t I want it?

We’re big fans of the Commander if that isn’t already obvious, but there are also quite a few things we’d like to see improved in the next generation.

First is cab space. While you can certainly fit two fully grown adults in a two seat Commander, you’re gonna be rubbing shoulders with anyone north of 100 pounds or so. Not a deal breaker by any means, but also not a problem you’ll run into with some of the Commander’s competitors.

The second is the overall fit and finish of the Commander’s interior. We’re used to rigs being full of clunky plastic and clunkier shifters, but the Commander’s dash and touchpoints are more spartan than most. They also chose to put the machine’s two cupholders directly on the floor behind the driver and passenger’s feet, which is a small detail, but a head scratcher all the same.

Last but not least: the elephant in the room here is Polaris’ outstanding General, which goes toe-to-toe with the Commander in every aspect save for one. The base model General, which is priced only slightly higher than the Commander at $17,499 this year, comes standard with a 100 horsepower engine, which is $1,200 less than the cheapest v-twin Commander.

Which trim do I want?

If you want maximum bang for your buck, we’d recommend skipping the least expensive Commander and stepping up to the 700 XT trim. For an extra $2,000, this nets you a full coverage steel bumper, a nice 7.6-inch digital display, a 4,500 pound winch, aluminum wheels, and larger tires.

If you’re looking to maximize the fun factor and don’t mind spending some extra money, we’ve had an outrageously good time wheeling the top-spec Commander XT-P. While the XT-P is a substantial jump to $25,699, it has the larger engine, adjustable Fox 2.5 Podium suspension, beadlock wheels, better tires, and a Smart-Lok front differential. This thing handles great on a fast trail ride, climbs rocks with the best of them, and still takes advantage of the best tow/haul capacity in the lineup when there’s work to be done.

If I like this… what else should I look at?

The Commander’s main competitor in definitely the Polaris General, with the standard General 1000 on the lower end and the fully loaded General XP 1000 Ultimate on the top shelf. Yamaha’s RMAX2 1000 is also worth a closer look if interior comfort is a major priority.

2025 Can-Am Commander Specs

*Base model DPS figures listed below, 1,000cc model power/capacities are greater*

Length: 128.5 in.

Width: 62 in.

Height: 70.5 in.

Wheelbase: 90.6 in.

Claimed Dry Weight: 1,530 lbs

Engine: Liquid-cooled single

Displacement: 650cc single, 976cc v-twin

Transmission: PDrive CVT with engine braking and electronic drive belt protection

Claimed Power: 52 hp (single), 100 hp (v-twin)

Claimed Torque: 42 lb-ft, N/A (v-twin)

Fuel System: EFI

Steering: Dynamic Power Steering

Drivetrain: Selectable Turf Mode / 2WD / 4WD, Visco-Lok QE auto-locking front dif

Front Suspension: Dual A-arms with sway bar

Rear Suspension: TTA with sway bar

Front Brakes: Dual 220 mm disc brakes with hydraulic twin-piston calipers calipers

Rear Brakes: Dual 220 mm disc brakes with hydraulic twin-piston calipers

Wheels F/R: Steel, 14-in.

Tires F/R: XPS Trail Force 27 x 9 / 11 x 14 in.

Bed Capacity: 600 lbs.

Towing Capacity: 2000 lbs.

Seating Capacity: 2

Ground Clearance: 12.5 in.

Fuel Capacity: 10 gallons