$18,399 MSRP / 52-100 HP

• starts at $18,399

• Plenty of power for its size

• beginner-friendly

Adventure for the Family

Can-Am’s resident rec-ute offers affordability without compromising capability. Usually overlooked by buyers, the Commander Max shows itself to be a true competitor once you dive into the spec sheet. With four seats, four trims, and two engine options, you can customize the Commander Max to fit your needs.

The four trim options vary drastically in price, offering a trim for every budget. Need a bare-bones woods rig? The base model Max DPS has you covered. Want a loaded weekend warrior? The XT-P is the top dog that will keep up with more expensive rec-utes.

With utility side-by-side features like 2,000-lb towing capacity and a 600-lb bed capacity, the Commander Max is just as happy on a ranch as it is on a trail. If you need a way to justify it to you bank, just tell them it’s a farm rig.

How much power does it make?

That question comes down to what engine you want in it. Like the Defender, Can-Am offers different engine options to suit your needs and budget.

The 700, which is only available in the Max DPS and Max XT trims, makes 52 hp and 42 lb-ft of torque out of a 650cc single. That may seem low, and that’s because it is. While it’s plenty of power in the two-seat model, it starts to struggle when pushing the extra weight of the Max.

The other option is the 1000, which gets a 976cc v-twin that puts out 100 hp. That’s almost double the power of the 700. We may be a group of writers, but even we can do that math.

The 1000 is available in every trim level, and is the only engine option in the X MR and XT-P trims.

What makes it special?

Price and customization are the Commander Max’s big selling points. For starters, you can get a DPS trim with the 650cc engine for $18,399. For comparison, the two-seat Yamaha RMAX starts at $25,499. Want a four-seat? That bumps the MSRP up to $27,999. Almost $10,000 cheaper than the competition. Even if you want an RMAX killer with the fully-loaded XT-P trim, it still comes in $1,000 cheaper than the competing model from Yamaha.

The best part is that none of the Commander Max trims are bad, and they all share the same utility capacities. So whether you buy the base-model DPS or the top dog XT-P, you’re going to get that 2,000-lb towing capacity and 600-lb bed capacity. The XT-P might get around the job site quicker, but it’ll be hauling the same load.

Why do I want it?

If you’re new to side-by-sides, or want something that can keep up with your friends without breaking the bank, the Commander Max might be for you. Are there better rec-utes on the market? Sure, but this one will keep a few extra Benjamins in your pocket. That’s all that anyone cares about, right?

Four seats means that you don’t need multiple rigs to bring everyone along on the trail ride, and that longer wheelbase makes it more capable on rock climbs and more stable at speed.

Those capacities that we talked about earlier make this rig more digestible and makes a lot more sense than buying a pure-sport side-by-side. Even if you just have an acre or two, having this in the garage to lug around firewood or mulch for you is much easier than carrying it yourself.

Why don’t I want it?

While the Commander Max is a top-contender in the rec-ute segment, the truth is that other side-by-sides like the Yamaha RMAX and Polaris General are simply better vehicles. The RMAX beats the Commander in capability, both on the trail and on the farm, and the Polaris General is unmatched when it comes to features. Both of those UTVs are more expensive, sure, but it might be worth it for the creature comforts.

The Commander seems like Can-Am’s forgotten side-by-side, and that shows. Attention that the Defender and Maverick lines get just isn’t apparent for the Commander. Only four trims vs the billion or so that the Defender and X3 get, and the Commander hasn’t had a meaningful update since 2020.

Which trim do I want?

Because the trims change so drastically, the best trim comes down to what you’ll be using your Commander for.

The bade model Max DPS trim is a great rig if you just want something that will get you on the trail. It’s bare-bones, cutting costs wherever possible. It even comes on 27-inch tires wrapped around 14-inch steelies.

Going up a trim to the XT turns the Commander Max into something that resembles a proper side-by-side. You get cast aluminum wheels, a 4,500-lb winch, a full roof, a front bumper, and a step up to 28-inch tires.

Another bump up is the X MR, Can-Am’s mud-focused trim. The only differences between the X MR and the XT are mud tires, a camo paint job, and the X MR comes standard with the 976cc v-twin engine option. Those features add on almost $7,000.

That’s quite the price hike, which is why our choice of trim is the top-model XT-P. This rig is an actual contender and will keep up with any other side-by-side in its class. You get Fox 2.5 podium shocks at all four corners, as are proper 30-inch tires on 15-inch aluminum beadlocks, and it has Can-Am’s Smart-Lok differential.

If you can’t swing the $28,599 for the XT-P, go with the XT. Just make sure you choose the 976cc engine and you’ll be fine.

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

If you’re looking into beginner-friendly side-by-sides, check out almost any other rec-ute on the market. The Yamaha RMAX and X2 are both brilliant options, with the RMAX being as close to the top of its class as possible. If you want to stick with a Can-Am, the Commander is barely more expensive that this rig and offers tons more capability and power.

2025 Can-Am Maverick Trail Specs

Length: 158.3 in.

Width: 62 in.

Height: 73 in.

Wheelbase: 120.6 in.

Claimed Dry Weight: 1,855-2,061 lbs

Engine: single-cylinder/v-twin

Displacement: 650cc/976 cc

Transmission: CVT with Quick Response System

Claimed Power: 52-100 hp

Claimed Torque: 42 lb-ft

Fuel System: EFI

Steering: Dynamic Power Steering

Drivetrain: 2WD/4WD, auto-locking front differential/Smart-Lok

Front Suspension: Dual A-arms with sway bar, Fox 2.5 Podium Piggyback shocks (XT-P)

Rear Suspension: TTA with sway bar, Fox 2.5 Podium Piggyback shocks (XT-P)

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

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

Wheels F/R: 14 in. steel (DPS), 14 in. cast-aluminum (XT, X MR), 15 in. cast-aluminum beadlock (XT-P)

Tires F/R: XPS Trail Force 27 x 9/11 x 14 in. (DPS), XPS Trail King 27 x 9/11 x 14 in. (XT), XPS Swamp Force 30 x 9/11 x 14 in. (X MR), XPS Trac Force 30 x 10 x 15 in.(X-TP)

Bed Capacity: 300 lbs.

Towing Capacity: 2,000 lbs.

Seating Capacity: 4

Ground Clearance: 13,5 in.

Fuel Capacity: 10 gal