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D:
WHICH TURBO IS FASTER?
It depends. The Can-Am leaps into
action quicker, but, after 20 mph is
reached, the Polaris starts to eat away
at the X3’s lead. The 925cc ProStar
twin has a slightly longer stroke and
feels meatier from a standing start,
but the X3’s QRS-X transmission and
900cc triple reacts quicker. Both are
crazy fast on top, but the Polaris is a
little stronger on flat ground. In whoops,
the X3 is able to attain higher terminal
speeds and is more stable at speed.
WHAT ABOUT THE DELIVERY?
Engine delivery is smoother on
the X3, with its intelligent throttle
control (i TC) and quick-reacting CVT
transmission. The XP Turbo’s twin
feels beastly by comparison, and it
eats gasoline much quicker. It also
needs a belt break-in period (at least
25 miles; 75 is better). We like the
Can-Am’s CVT feel better, but the
Visco-Lok front diff takes more front-
tire slippage before it locks. The RZR
front diff hooks up quicker. Also, we
prefer the Polaris’ range selector over
the Can-Am’s; it has more leverage
and it’s easier to read the range
markings on the console. Use the
digital readout on the X3. Also, from
the top, the Polaris goes P-R-N-L-H,
while the Can-Am goes P-R-N-H-L.
Low is very low on the Can-Am.
WHICH RULES TURBO HANDLING?
The Can-Am by a mile. First off,
the low center of gravity and seating
position, combined with the foot-longer
wheelbase (102 inches vs. 90), give
the X3 much more predictable turning,
sliding and drifting manners. In 2WD or
4WD, it puts the power to the ground
and rips, even over dune-chop ruts. The
XP Turbo feels much tippier and wants
to bicycle when crossing dune ruts,
and its taller seating position erodes
confidence. The X3 slides like a sprint
car, but we did manage to overcook a
turn and put it on its driver’s door. The
Can-Am rules corners, and the extra
wheelbase and suspension travel give
it an edge in straight-line stability.
WHOSE HIGH-END SUSPENSION ROCKS?
Can-Am’s. While the IBP damping
map on the XP Turbo improves the
2017’s ride, the Fox Podium 2. 5 front
and 3.0 rear shocks simply don’t have
the tuning options of the Fox Podium
RC2 X3 shocks with dual-speed
The Can-Am has two-piston calipers squeezing 262mm rotors and two
separate braking systems, while the Polaris has three-piston calipers
behind the front axles, new 248mm front rotors and one master
cylinder for all four calipers. The RZR should have high-clearance A-arms
like the X3 and limited-edition RZRs (High Lifter and Gold Matte).
The X3 cockpit is like a fighter jet, but the front fender flares hinder
vision. We like the D-shaped wheel, 1.5-turn steering, tri-level EPS assist
and easy-to-read analog/digital instruments, but we’re not fond of banging
our knees on the door jams or trying to get the range selector in low.
Which is the better extreme-sport UTV? The Can-Am X3 X ds Turbo or the Polaris
RZR XP Turbo? We took them both to Dumont Dunes and the Mojave Desert to see
if the ProStar 925-powered Polaris twin could run with the new BRP ACE 900 triple.
