Can-Am Maverick X3 X RC RR First Drive: With 200 HP, Sometimes Less Is More

The side-by-side industry has been on quite a roll recently, introducing bigger, better, and faster machines at each turn. Take the impressive Maverick R, for example, which packs a 240-hp engine, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and 25(!) inches of suspension travel. These high-performance vehicles aren’t without drawbacks, however, as the Maverick R sports an SUV-like 77-inch track width and can cost nearly $45,000.

While having the highest-spec'd ride in the group is great for bragging points, more often having the correct tool for the job at hand pays better dividends. And for most side-by-side shoppers, that’s a vehicle measuring less than 66 inches wide. Tucked in the middle of Can-Am's Maverick X3 lineup is the sub-R Maverick X3 X RC Turbo RR 64. With its 200-hp engine, long-travel suspension, and 64-inch width, this vehicle may just be the ultimate tool for most adventurers.

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What Makes the RC Special?

In a model line flush with acronyms, the Can-Am Maverick X3 X RC Turbo RR sets itself apart with two letters: RC. Built to conquer that last mile of trail, the part that is strewn with boulders the size of basketballs (or worse), this vehicle comes with a host of upgrades to protect it from trail hazards, such as HMWPE (high molecular weight) polyethylene skidplating underneath the vehicle protecting the front differential and underside of the bumper along with on the lower front control arms and rear trailing arms. Rock sliders are constructed of the stronger UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight) polyethylene. A steel front bumper is standard, along with a 4,500-pound recovery winch. Rock-specific Smart-Lok differential tuning is employed, along with a unique 30-inch Maxxis Liberty tire.

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Engine Power and Suspension Performance

Powering Turbo RR models is a turbocharged 900cc inline three-cylinder Rotax ACE engine. The engine churns out a potent 200 hp that, when combined with the vehicle’s sub-2,000-pound curb weight, offers blisteringly quick acceleration. Power is routed through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with a P-Drive roller clutch primary and Quick Response System X (QRS-X) technology that’s said to improve engagement and response. The drivetrain also features four traction modes: two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive with front diff lock, Rock mode, and Trail mode.

Absorbing the bumps is a long-travel suspension system that boasts 18 inches of travel at all four corners. Up front is an arched double A-arm system with an anti-sway bar while the rear utilizes the company’s Torsional Trailing-Arm X (TTX) four-link suspension with arched lower links and an anti-sway bar. Fox 2.5-inch Podium piggyback shocks come equipped with QS3 manual compression adjusters with three settings from soft to firm. 

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How Does It Work?

To get a feeling for how the Can-Am Maverick X3 X RC Turbo RR functions in the real world, we loaded up and headed out to Johnson Valley, home to the infamous King of the Hammers off-road event. Right off the trailer we noticed the narrow 64-inch track width. With most desert-going vehicles wielding a wider track (Ford’s F-150 Raptor is about 74 inches), we feared we’d spend the day bouncing between the two-tracks like a pinball. Thankfully, the Maverick’s 64-inch track width is still enough to easily straddle the ridges while allowing us to easily avoid rocks and other tire-cutting obstacles that often line the edges of the trail.

With 200 hp on tap, the vehicle easily blasts to its governed top speed of 83 mph. The recently updated CVT transmission responds almost instantly to throttle inputs, and clutch chatter is nearly nonexistent. With its rear weight bias and 1,700-pound curb weight, this combination lets you use the throttle to control the front suspension attitude, unweighting with throttle input whenever an unsuspected obstacle appears.

Bumps, humps, and jumps are dispatched with ease thanks to that big-time 18 inches of wheel travel and 2.5-inch Fox QS3 dampers. Our preference for higher-speed desert running is to leave adjustable shocks in the firm setting, and this works quite well in this vehicle. With 14 inches of ground clearance, we rarely found ourselves hitting bottom, but when rocks did get kicked up, we were grateful for the skidplating found on the front lower control arms and rear trailing arms.

Of all the tire brands we’ve tried on all the side-by-side models that we’ve driven over the years, we’ve found the 30-inch Maxxis Liberty tires to be among the best. With a more desert- and rock-oriented tread pattern, they provide maximum traction on both loose and hard packed dirt, along with offering a sturdy sidewall for protection against cuts in the rocks.

Naturally, we tested the factory-installed 4,500-pound winch, too. However, the Maverick X3 RC is so capable that we never got it into a situation where it was stuck enough to need a winch. So we used the winch to pull the Maverick onto our trailer instead. The dash-mounted drum controls make it easy to operate the winch solo while steering the vehicle from inside, and the 50 feet of synthetic rope easily reaches the nearest anchor point. Just remember to carry a winch kit with a tree saver and shackles in the vehicle, as the winch is all but useless on its own.

The interior of the Maverick X3 is spartan yet comfortable. All the necessary performance information is shown on the driver information screen, and controls for the drive modes are within easy reach on the dash. Automotive-style three-point safety belts are familiar and easy to use; however, at high speeds we’d prefer a more robust four- or six-point harness. And sadly, a roof pane is optional, making the days in the hot sun feel even longer unless you pony up for one.

On Sale Now

For 2024, the Can-Am Maverick X3 X RC Turbo RR 64 starts at $29,499 and goes up to $33,499 for the 72-inch-wide model. The larger four-seat Maverick X3 Max X RC Turbo RR starts at $36,099. Transportation and prep fees are not included and vary from dealer to dealer.