CAN-AM MAVERICK SPORT MAX 1000 DPS - UTV Action Magazine (2024)

— Testing a sporty 4-seater —

Can-Am’s two-seat Maverick Sport UTVs come in more flavors than most drivers can keep track of. There’s the base model, the DPS, the X rc rock crawler and the X mr mud racer, and among those models you can choose a 75-horsepower or 100-horsepower engine and a 60-inch or 64-inch width. If you’re after a 60-inch-wide Can-Am four-seater, things are far simpler; there’s only one—the Maverick Sport Max DPS.

HOW DOES COST COMPARE?

The Maverick Sport Max DPS is $18,999. Polaris’ 60-inch wide four-seat sport machine, the RZR S4 1000, is $19,599.

WHAT POWERS IT?

One of the most copied engines in UTVing, the Rotax 976cc, eight-valve, single-overhead-cam V-twin. The four-seat Sport Max’s engine is only available in one state of tune, and it puts out 100 horsepower. That’s good, because the four-seater weighs 300 pounds more than the two-seat Maverick Sport, and that extra power comes in handy when those extra seats are full.

WHAT KIND OF TRANSMISSION DOES IT HAVE?

The easiest kind to use—a fully automatic, dual-range, belt-type, continuously variable transmission. The Sport Max’s transmission also features automatic engine braking in low range, which Can-Am calls Electronic Hill Descent Control, and electronic drive-belt protection. The range selector has a smooth, positive feel like the X3’s.

WHAT KIND OF 4WD SYSTEM DOES IT USE?

It has selectable 2WD/4WD with Can-Am’s Visco-Lok QE automatic-locking front differential.

HOW FAST IS IT?

Plenty fast, even with all the seats full. With just the driver in the car, it really moves.

HOW IS THE POWER DELIVERY?

The Sport Max’s engine management and clutch tuning are set up for smooth off-idle response and strong acceleration. The 1000 builds revs quickly and sounds good doing it. You get to feel its 100 horsepower, but it’s not too abrupt for comfortable trail riding or taking on technical trail obstacles. If you want to tame the Can-Am’s throttle response for certain trails or drivers, you can select Eco mode, which provides smoother throttle progression and prevents access to full throttle.

WHAT’S THE SUSPENSION LIKE?

It’s luxuriously plush, and it also takes fast, aggressive driving in stride. That is no small feat. It’s not hard to tune suspension for plushness or good bottoming resistance and high-speed control, but getting both from the same settings is remarkable. During our first drive with the Can-Am, it rode so smoothly we thought the Fox shocks’ QS3 three-position compression damping adjusters were set to full soft rather than on position two, the usual stock setting. They were on two. We tried the other settings during our test, and full soft helps in rocky sections and full firm is better for continuous high speeds, but nothing beats the second position’s all-around ride quality and control.

HOW DOES IT HANDLE?

It’s predictable, stable and very well-balanced, but there’s no ignoring that the Sport Max’s wheelbase is 30 inches longer than the two seater’s. It doesn’t turn quite as instantly as a two-seater, and turning around takes a bit more planning due to the machine’s wider turning radius. That said, all benefits of a longer wheelbase are there, too. The Sport Max is impressively relaxed in whoops, and it feels nicely composed in steep terrain, at high speeds in turns and in a straight line. It also slides very controllably. It’s no X3, but it’s very good, and the 60-inch width lets you enjoy trails that are too narrow for wider cars.

HOW IS IT IN CHALLENGING TERRAIN?

It’s very capable. In drop-offs and stream beds, the Max’s long wheelbase had us wishing for more ground clearance, but the Can-Am clawed its way out of everything we drove it into. The machine’s strong, controllable power makes tough hills easy to climb, and the automatic four-wheel engine braking makes coming back down drama-free.

HOW ARE THE DETAILS?

Nicely done. The entire vehicle is impressively free of unwanted engine, transmission and suspension noise. This four-seater’s full doors don’t let roost in, and they don’t rattle thanks to rubber door seals. Both front seats slide to adjust. Riders up to 6 feet tall have enough room up front, and the rear seats are roomy enough to be comfortable for adults. There are closable dash compartments for the driver and passenger, and cup holders for everyone the car can hold. Air intakes for the engine and transmission are located high on the vehicle, and the air filter is easy to access. The 2-inch hitch receiver is handy. We would like more splash protection in mud, but we can say the same for most sport UTVs. Can-Am offers fender flares if you want them.

WHAT IS OUR FINAL ANSWER?

Can-Am’s Maverick Sport offers great performance, handling and comfort, and the new Maverick Sport Max lets four riders share that fun, sporty driving experience for less than the price of the base Maverick X3 Turbo two-seater.

SPECS:

2019 CAN-AM MAVERICK SPORT MAX 1000 DPS

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION

Engine type Liquid-cooled, 8-valve, SOHC 4-stroke

V-twin

Displacement 976cc