Ups
Powerful engine, multiple feet of suspension travel, top-tier performance trim, a roof, LED lighting throughout, and large 32-inch-tall tires.
Downs
High price even for the base RS non-X trim, the interior still feels dated, the wide 72-inch track width can make transport difficult on some trailers.
Verdict
This is Can-Am’s ultimate pure sport side-by-side built for tackling desert tracks. It packs everything Can-Am knows about racing into one machine, and it’s offered up in a few different flavors where suspension items are changed to help fit various budget brackets. This rig still dominates out in the sand, yet somehow still feels dated due to a bland interior devoid of any modern amenities like speakers or navigation.
Overview
The RS line is specifically built to perform in the desert with its wide 72-inch track, powerful engine, and advanced suspension groupings. Stability, confidence, and control were all at the forefront when Can-Am designed this set of machines. For 2022 it isn’t fixing what’s not broken.
Updates for 2022
No major changes for 2022 aside from every X3 unit receiving Smart-Lok differential locking technology and the slight increase in engine power output from 195 to 200 hp.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
2022 Maverick X3 RS Turbo RR MSRP: $23,799
2022 Maverick X3 X RS Turbo RR MSRP: $28,599
2022 Maverick X3 X RS Turbo RR w/ Smart Shox MSRP: $30,299
2022 Maverick X3 Max RS Turbo RR MSRP: $26,799
2022 Maverick X3 Max X RS Turbo RR MSRP: $31,399
2022 Maverick X3 Max X RS Turbo RR w/ Smart Shox MSRP: $33,099
We’d opt for the X3 X RS Turbo RR with its top-tier trim package minus the Fox Smart Shox. We’ve never found an active valving system that warrants paying thousands extra when any local suspension shop can do better for less. Getting the larger tires, additional suspension travel, and upgraded dash display helps with resell.If you’ve got the cash to blow, grab the Smart Shox trim. If you have four people to entertain, grab the Max, and if you can’t stomach the cost but want the desert RS trim with a wide 72-inch track, grab the non-X.
Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Performance
All RS trim levels use the refreshed 900cc Rotax ACE three-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 200 hp. Can-Am’s PDrive and QRS-X CVT manage transferring power to the axles through a Smart-Lok-equipped drivetrain on every vehicle for 2022. Smart-Lok technology offers four different traction modes—two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive with front differential lock, four-wheel drive trail active, and four-wheel drive trail—that can be adjusted on the fly by the driver to maximize traction across a variety of terrain.
Handling
Standard Fox 2.5 Podium QS3 suspension components handle articulation on the RS non-X trim vehicles, offering an impressive 22 inches of suspension travel. The RS X trims jump to front Fox 2.5 and rear Fox 3.0 Podium RC2 components that offer a similar 22 inches of suspension travel in the front and an awesome 24 inches of suspension travel in the rear. While the QS3 system offers single damping controls, the RC2 suspension lets a driver dial in high-speed compression, low-speed compression, and rebound damping. The rear RC2 shocks use remote reservoirs mounted to the rear roll cage uprights and provide 2 feet of articulation for cushioning those massive dune jumps, stabilizing rhythm sections, and saving your spine when those invisible washouts appear.
The RS Smart-Shox trim incorporates Fox semi-active intelligent suspension. It self-adjusts up to 200 times per second on both compression and rebound damping settings. It can go from full soft to full hard in 17 milliseconds when it predicts you’re just gonna send it. Unlike some other intelligent shock systems, this one is also adjustable by the driver via three modes: Comfort, Sport, and Sport+.
Brakes
Each RS trim uses large 262mm vented rotors in the front that come wrapped by hydraulic twin-piston calipers. The rear uses smaller 248mm vented rotors with the same hydraulic twin-piston calipers. Braking performance is strong and predictable, exactly what you’d want while stretching its legs in the desert.
Ergonomics: Comfort and Utility
Inside the RS non-X cockpit buyers will find the typical list of Maverick X3 features: race-inspired four-way-adjustable bucket seats, heavy bolstering, and an adjustable steering wheel. The RS X and Smart-Shox cockpit ups the ante with four-point harnesses and a full roof. Both trims offer a central rearview mirror.
All doors open from the front via internal latching system, including the rear doors on the four-seater.
All RS machines provide the small rear cargo area that incorporates the Can-Am LinQ quick-attachment system.
Payload/Towing
The rear cargo area is rated to hold 200 pounds on the two-seater and 150 pounds on the four-seater. Both incorporate the LinQ quick-attach system.
While no towing hitch receiver is present on any Maverick X3 model, recovery hooks are supplied on the rear of each RS trim vehicle. These are not rated for towing, only vehicle recovery.
Electronics
The non-X trims offer up the smaller 4.5-inch digital dash display. The X gets you the larger 7.5-inch digital dash display. Each sits in front of the steering wheel to allow the driver to monitor various vehicle metrics. Speedometer, tachometer, odometer, trip- and hourmeters, fuel, gear position, Sport and Eco modes, seatbelt and 4×4 indicator, front and rear diff lock indicators, diagnostics, clock, battery voltage, engine temperature, and DPS mode are all available to be monitored on the dash via keypad system. The Smart Shox vehicles also add that readout to the dash.
Full LED lighting is used throughout each vehicle, powered by a strong 850-watt magneto that offers plenty of room to bolt on additional power-hungry accessories.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
A six-month limited warranty is included with every Maverick X3 model. Extended warranty options are available at time of purchase.
2022 Can-Am Maverick X3 RS Turbo RR Specs
| MSRP: | Starting prices range from $23,799 to $31,399 |
| Engine: | Rotax ACE (Advanced Combustion Efficiency) turbocharged liquid-cooled three-cylinder |
| Displacement: | 900cc |
| Bore x Stroke: | N/A |
| Compression Ratio: | N/A |
| Transmission: | PDrive primary and Quick Response System X (QRS-X) CVT w/ high airflow, high/low range, reverse; parking |
| Claimed Horsepower: | 200 hp |
| Claimed Torque: | N/A |
| Fuel System: | Intelligent Throttle Control (iTC) w/ EFI |
| Steering: | High-torque Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering (DPS) |
| Drivetrain: | 2WD/4WD w/ front diff lock/4WD Trail Activ/4WD Trail w/ Smart-Lok |
| Front Suspension: | Arched double A-arms w/ sway bar, Fox 2.5 Podium piggyback w/ QS3 compression adjustment (non-X) / Fox 2.5 Podium piggyback w/ RC2 dual-speed compression and rebound adjustment (X) / Fox 2.5 Podium piggyback w/ bypass and Smart-Shox w/ Dynamic Damping Adjustment valve (Smart-Shox); 22.0 in. travel |
| Rear Suspension: | 4-link Torsional Trailing-arm X (TTX) w/ sway bar, Fox 2.5 Podium piggyback w/ QS3 compression adjustment and bottom-out control; 22.0 in. travel (non-X) / Fox 3.0 Podium remote reservoir w/ bypass, RC2 dual-speed compression and rebound adjustment; 24.0 in. travel (X) / Fox 3.0 Podium remote reservoir w/ bypass and Smart-Shox w/ Dynamic Damping Adjustment valve; 24.0 in. travel (Smart-Shox) |
| Front Brakes: | Dual 262mm ventilated disc brakes, hydraulic 2-piston calipers |
| Rear Brakes: | Dual 248mm ventilated disc brakes, hydraulic 2-piston calipers |
| Wheels, Front/Rear: | Cast aluminum (non-X) / cast aluminum beadlock (X); 14 in. |
| Tires, Front/Rear: | Maxxis Carnivore; 30×10-14 (non-X) / 32×10-14 (X) |
| Length: | 132.0 in. (2-seat) / 164.0 in. (Max) / 165.0 in. (Max X) |
| Width: | 72.4 in. (non-X) / 72.7 in. (X) |
| Height: | 68.5 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 102.0 in. (2-seat) / 135.0 in. (4-seat) |
| Bed Capacity: | 200 lb. (2-seat) / 150 lb. (4-seat) |
| Towing Capacity: | N/A |
| Max Seating Capacity: | 2 / 4 (Max) |
| Ground Clearance: | 16.0 in. |
| Turning Radius: | N/A |
| Claimed Dry Weight: | 1,620 lb. (non-X) / 1,627 lb. (X) / 1,646 lb. (Smart-Shox) / 1,869 lb. (Max) / 1,858 lb. (Max X) / 1,877 lb. (Max X Smart-Shox) |
| Fuel Capacity: | 10.5 gal. |
| Warranty: | 6-month limited warranty |
| Availability: | Now |
| Contact: | can-am.brp.com |
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