On The Trail

With all the focus these days on top of the line vehicle models with $40k pricetags, there is little focus put on entry-level trim models. With that said the "entry" level Can-Am Commander MAX DPS offers a lot of side-by-side for the money with power steering being the only real additional feature on the side-by-side, but the price tag comes in at $20,999. Luke with Dirt Trax TV dives into all the capability you get with this "base" level Commander MAX DPS along with a review of this side-by-side.

Can-Am’s Defender family lineup grows a little bigger (yet again) with the 2023 models. Included in the 2023 Can-Am Defender models is the addition of a Defender and Defender MAX X mr model offering with half doors along with the base Defender and Defender MAX X mr models without half doors. These half doors are also available as an accessory with color accent panels (required but sold separately) that match Defender color options for a great look. 

DPS CAB, Limited, Lone Star, and X mr packages come with an improved suspension design for 2023. These improvements include a new sway bar design with increased diameter, thicker and enclosed upper a-arms, new shock calibration, increased travel from 10” to 12”, and improved overall robustness. These changes allow for up to 30” tires. Speaking of 30” tires, all Defender Limited HD10 and Lone Star HD10 models get 30” tires from the factory. 

What You Need To Know

• New Defender & Defender MAX X mr with Half Door models
• Improved suspension design on DPS CAB, Limited, Lone Star, & X mr packages with increased strength and travel.
• New Desert Tan & Timeless Black color on the Defender Limited HD10

Defender Highlights

• 3 Engines- HD7 Single-Cylinder 52 hp, HD9 V-Twin 65 hp, HD10 V-Twin 82 hp
• Suspension Travel- 10-12 inches
• Ground Clearance- 11-15 inches

Defender Limited in Desert Tan & Timel

What might have changed when it comes to the 2023 Can-Am Commander models? Yes, that seems to be the question many of us have asked with the release of the 2023 Can-Am Off Road models. Well, why wait to tell you that other than a change in the Commander XT-P color scheme, there are no updates to the Commander lineup. Yep, that is the scoop. There are the same 700 and 1000R engine choices available along with the same models as 2022 with the same capabilities. The good news is that the Commander is a very capable side-by-side with lots of great features. Here is what you want to know.

We assume all of you Can-Am Maverick owners or at the very least enthusiasts, want to know about the Maverick changes/updates for 2023 might be. Well here is the summary: Not much. Starting with the Maverick X3 lineup, all models return for 2023 with no overall changes to the Maverick X3 family other than some new colors. The news on the Maverick X3 front revolves around the specific Maverick X3 DS Turbo model that goes from 120 horsepower to 135 horsepower (details below). The Maverick Trail & Sport models remain unchanged for 2023. Here is what you need to know.

What You Need To Know

• Maverick X3 models overall stay the same for 2023 with some additional color combination choices, and new warning messages for the CVT belt temperature sensor.
• Maverick X3 DS Turbo model increases horsepower from 120 to 135 and receives a pDrive primary clutch. The horsepower gain comes from new ECU & calibration, new turbo assembly, and Turbo RR engine injectors (if you care about how the sausage gets made). 
• Maverick X3 X ds package comes with a sport roof and 4-point retractable harness. 
• Maverick Trail & Sport remain unchanged except for color options.

Maverick X3 DS Turbo in Catalyst Gray

2023 Maverick Models

Maverick X3 DS Turbo

Maverick X3 DS Turbo RR

Maverick X3 X DS Turbo RR

Maverick X3 RS Turbo RR

Maverick X3 X RS Turbo RR

Maverick X3 X RS Turbo RR With SMART-SHOX

Maverick X3 X RC Turbo RR 64

Maverick

Polaris introduced the Ranger XP Kinetic this year which is Polaris' first real forray into the modern electric UTV. The Ranger XP Kinetic is engineered to do everything any other fullsize Ranger can do with the same level of durability.  To show off the Ranger XP Kinetic, Polaris has created a web series called To The Test where well-known people put the Ranger XP Kinetic to the test in their field of work. Episode 2 of To The Test just dropped featuring the Diesel Brothers using the Ranger XP Kinetic on recovery missions. Give it a watch.

Here we are at new model time with the 2023 Polaris General family being no exception. In fact, there have been some changes to the 2023 Polaris General family that seem fairly significant upon further examination. It appears that Polaris is on a march to retire the majority of the 60-inch General 1000 models in favor of having the General lineup primarily be made up of the XP 1000 64-inch models. For 2023 there is only one 60-inch General model with the General 1000 Sport model which is billed as an entry level model, but it is chock full of premium features including a grille-guard and roof. Though we have never seen the numbers it makes sense that most people most likely want the General XP 1000 models. There are also no General 4 1000 models to be found. Polaris has now added a new entry-level General XP 1000 Sport model to make the XP 1000 models more accessible from a price perspective.

What You Need To Know

• General XP 1000 Sport is a new entry-model available in the General XP 1000 family.
• General 1000 Sport is the only 60-inch General now available. 
• General 4 1000 is no longer available.

2023 Polaris General Models

General 1000 Sport

General XP 1000 Sport

General XP 1000 Premium

General XP 1000 Ultimate

General XP 4 1000 Sport

General XP 4 1000 Premium

General XP 4 1000 Ultimate

Be sure to download our mobile app to browse all 2023 Polaris models, shop, find places to ride, read news and machine reviews, and so much more.
For more information check out the Polaris General website https://general.polaris.com/en-us/

It is that time of the year when next year’s models abound with Polaris being no exception. Polaris recently announced the introduction of the initial batch of 2023 Polaris RZR models. What has changed for 2023 in the Polaris RZR lineup you might ask. In a single word: Colors. Yep, that is it. There are no updates, new models, or new features. This is not a big surprise considering Polaris blew out the industry with the release of both the Polaris RZR Pro R and RZR Turbo R families earlier this year. Polaris has not indicated what limited edition or special edition models will be coming this year as of yet. Also, noticeably absent is both the RS1 and RZR 570. Here is what you need to know.

Honda made a bit of a surprise announcement with the introduction of a brand new model with the Pioneer 1000-6 Deluxe Crew. At first glance it is everything one would expect it to be including all the capabilities of the Pioneer 1000 with room for 6. That is a solid assumption which turns out to be pretty darn accurate. Unlike the Pioneer 1000-5, the Pioneer 1000-6 Deluxe Crew has a full size second row of seats in addition to the rear cargo bed. There are a handful of additional features not seen on a Pioneer 1000 previously such as the obvious room for six, a Tow/Haul mode, a cargo bed DC outlet, Here is what you want to know.

This year has proven to be a big year for both Polaris and the pure sport-wide open side-by-side crowd with the release of the RZR Turbo R and RZR Pro R side-by-sides. We saw all the specs and sat on the call when Polaris walked through all the details of these vehicles, and they are on paper truly amazing. The question that remains is if these new side-by-sides can live up to the expectations. AJ with Dirt Trax TV answers that question in this performance review video.