$20,499 MSRP / 82 HP

• Long wheelbase + long bed

• built for towing/hauling

• available sealed cab + HVAC

Serious utility, serious value.

The Can-Am Defender Pro is the brand’s hardest working utility rig. It’s the single-cab, long-bed F-150 of the side-by-side world: fully capable, and often overlooked in favor of certain four door, diesel-powered, or double-axle alternatives.

There ain’t much you can’t do with a Defender Pro, especially if you’ve got enough stuff to take advantage of its massive 6-foot dump bed. For that reason, the Defender Pro is a staple on ranches, large properties, and construction sites.

And while Can-Am only offers the Defender Pro in a single cab/bench seat configuration, don’t mistake it for a bare-bones, budget-friendly work rig. You can certainly order one that way, of course, but the Limited trim is still available in 2025, complete with creature comforts like a full sealed cab, automatic HVAC, and power glass windows.

How much power does it make?

The Can-Am Defender Pro shares the same HD10 V-Twin engine as the top of line Defender and Defender Max models. This liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 976cc Rotax v-twin is good for 82 horsepower and 69 lb-ft of torque.

Much like the Polaris Ranger it competes with, the Defender Pro is much more entertaining to drive than hardcore utility/agricultural rigs from manufacturers like John Deere or Kubota.

We’ve found the HD10 V-twin is also surprisingly smooth and quiet for a utility machine, and makes a lot less vibration than Can-Am’s HD7 single engine. This is particularly apparent when the Defender Pro is under load.

What makes it special?

As you’d probably guess, the Can-Am Defender Pro’s standout feature is its full-size, six foot bed. This is the second largest cargo box in the industry as of this writing, measuring a whopping 72 x 54.5 x 10 inches.

For this reason, the Defender Pro is a favorite among farmers, ranchers, or anyone else in need of a stout working rig for property management. If you need to haul larger, bulkier items and could benefit from a hydraulic dump bed, the Defender offers truck capability while still retaining a fair degree of recreational potential.

Why do I want it?

The Defender Pro is all about work, plain and simple. It’s made to tow, its made to haul, and its made to do it all in places that pickup trucks can’t easily access. If you need to haul large, bulky cargo in serious volume (think bales of hay, piles of brush, pallets, etc.), the D-Pro can make it happen.

And while the Defender Pro is considered a pure utility rig, it still holds its own on basic trails. The Pro shares the exact same wheelbase and underpinnings as the Defender Max (including the aforementioned 82 horsepower V-Twin engine), so it delivers a more fun and spirited ride than any hardcore agricultural rig or diesel alternatives.

Why don’t I want it?

If you want the hardest working rig possible in terms of towing and hauling, the Defender isn’t the best game in town. It’s bed is actually slightly smaller/shallower than Kubota’s full-sized diesel alternative, while some utility machines like Polaris’ Extreme Duty line or John Deere’s XUV have more towing capacity.

Can-Am rates their Defender Pro for up to 2,500 pounds of towing and up to 1,000 pounds of bed capacity. Those are undeniably solid numbers, but there are more capable machines out there in both regards. That said, the combination of all three features (long bed + towing + hauling) still has the potential to be the best all-around solution for certain owners.

Which trim do I want?

Can-Am offers the Defender Pro in three trim levels for 2025: the base model DPS (Dynamic Power Steering), the mid-tier XT, and the top-spec Pro Limited. All three models have their merits, but the XT is the smart buy of the bunch if getting stuff done is your top priority.

All three models share the same mechanical capability, but the XT adds useful features like a 4,500-pound winch, a metal front bumper, and a higher quality seat, and does it all for under $24,000. Stepping up to the Limited trim gets you a fully enclosed cab with all the bells and whistles (including a full HVAC system), but it also adds nearly $9,000 to the asking price.

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

If you’re digging the full-sized bed but want some added load capacity, Kubota’s RTV-X1130 diesel bumps up the weight and volume for the same amount of money. If you want a pure workhorse towing rig and don’t need the long bed layout, Polaris’ Ranger XD 1500 leads the charge in sheer capacity.

2025 Can-Am Defender Pro Specs

Length: 154.1

Width: 64 in.

Height: 78 in.

Wheelbase: 115.5 in.

Claimed Dry Weight: 1,815 lbs

Engine: V-twin

Displacement: 976 cc

Transmission: PRO-TORQ CVT with Quick Response System

Claimed Power: 82 hp

Claimed Torque: 69 lb-ft

Fuel System: EFI

Steering: Dynamic Power Steering

Drivetrain: Selectable Turf Mode / 2WD / 4WD, auto-locking front differential

Front Suspension: Dual A-arms

Rear Suspension: Arched TTA with external 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: Cast Aluminum, 14-in.

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

Bed Capacity: 1000 lbs.

Towing Capacity: 2500 lbs.

Seating Capacity: 3

Ground Clearance: 13 in.

Fuel Capacity: 10.6 gallons