CAN-AM MAVERICK X3 X rs TURBO RR WITH SMART-SHOX TEST

CAN-AM MAVERICK X3 X rs TURBO RR

High-horsepower turbo with high-tech suspension By the staff of Dirt Wheels

The Maverick X3 X rs Turbo RR with Smart-Shox is Can-Am’s most high-tech 72-inch-wide X3, and it’s 470 pounds lighter than the lightest Maverick R. In fact, the Maverick R has a pounds-per-horsepower ratio of 8.958333:1, while the X3 X rs Smart-Shox comes in at 8.4:1. Its MSRP is also $1200 less, and Maverick X3s have dominated short-course and desert turbo racing since their release for 2017. While Maverick Rs are the rage right now, X3s have a lot of bang for the buck. We went to the SxS Adventure Rally on the Rocks to test a high-miles demo unit. While this demo unit is a 2023 in Desert Tan, it’s mechanically identical to 2024s, which come in Triple Black, Fiery Red and Hyper Silver, and Dazzling Blue and Carbon Black.

WHAT MAKES THE X3 X rs SMART-SHOX SPECIAL?

For 2024, the base X3 rs comes with Showa HPG shocks with dual-speed compression adjusters, while the X3 X rs upgrades to Fox Podium 2.5 piggyback front and 3.0 remote-reservoir rear RC2 Internal ByPass shocks with dual-speed compression adjusters plus rebound adjusters. The X3 X rs Smart-Shox eliminates mechanical adjusters (although Shock Therapy has kits to replace them for even more adjustability) with Can-Am’s computer-controlled, self-adjusting DDA system, and Live Valve shocks that electronically adjusts both compression and rebound damping.

Dynamic Damping Adjustment (DDA) alters both compression and rebound damping to improve vehicle stability and handling via less body roll in hard cornering, braking or acceleration. DDA adds stiffness to outside shocks in corners, front shocks under braking, and rear shocks under hard throttle, plus it smooths out jump landings by increasing both compression and rebound to prevent bottoming and bounce-back. DDA toggles allow the driver or passenger to choose between three modes—Comfort, Sport or Sport+—on the fly to tailor suspension response to terrain conditions. Comfort is great for dune chop, ruts, roots and rocks, while Sport firms up damping for twisting trails and higher speeds. Sport+ is best for dunes, desert G-outs and whoops, and race speeds. Sport+ also maximizes ground clearance for rock crawling.

Also, IBP allows the shocks to blow-off energy from high-speed hits with ports and metal reed valves in the shock bodies through the shock’s mid-stroke travel. While the Can-Am athletes we know all run heavily modified X rs RC2 shocks for consistency at race speeds, Smart-Shox allows the customer to adjust shock action on the fly with the push of a toggle and from the comfort of the Ergo-Lok seats. 

HOW DOES COST COMPARE?

The 2023 Maverick X3 X rs Smart-Shox Turbo RR is $32,599, and the 2024 Smart-Shox is $34,299. Maverick X3 X rs Turbo RRs are $31,499, and the X3 rs Turbo RR is $26,499. The Polaris RZR Turbo R starts at $27,799 for the Sport trim, while the Premium is $31,999 and the Ultimate is $35,299. Polaris’ 64-inch RZR Pro XP Turbo Sport is $24,599, the XP Premium is $27,999, and the Pro XP Ultimate is $33,199. Speed UTV’s Baja Bandit Turbo is $33,500 for the base, $44,499 for the LE, and $47,999 for the RG Edition. 

HOW FAST IS THE X3 X rs?

It’s seriously fast, but the new Maverick Rs are faster. The 900cc triple quickly reaches 80 mph in High, Low top speed is 40 mph, and 100-plus mph in High is possible with simple ECU/CVT tuning. It’s home at speed in the desert and dunes, but it’ll also happily crawl at a walking pace in Low. The 200-horsepower triple will pin you to the Ergo-Lok seats with serious acceleration, but it can be detuned with Eco drive mode for rock crawling or fuel economy. It all depends on your right foot and index finger on the gas pedal and Smart-Lok toggles.

WHAT ABOUT THE  DELIVERY?

It’s high-tech and well tuned. There’s no turbo lag when you want hard acceleration, and the improved pDrive roller clutch engages smoothly and positively when you’re cruising. Throttle and clutch maps are well matched, and the CVT’s engine-braking system tames gnarly descents. The X rs’ Smart-Lok modes are 2WD, 4WD, 4WD Trail and 4WD Trail Active, and Smart-Lok also tunes EPS assist for optimum traction with minimal steering effort in each mode. 

HOW DOES THE TURBO RR HANDLE?

Sharp enough for multiple desert and short-course championships. With a long 102-inch wheelbase, the X3 is super stable at higher speeds, and yet it’s agile on tight turns. With a 72.8-inch width, it’s a blast to slam into turns, and narrow rear tires help it drift in, rotate and powerslide out. The 32-inch Maxxis Carnivore tires add to overall handling and ride comfort, and traction on rocks is incredible. The RC Turbo RR is a blast in the dunes and desert, too.

HOW IS THE HIGH-END SUSPENSION?

Excellent. The Fox Podium IBP Live Valve 2.5 front and 3.0 rear shocks are well tuned and deliver a great ride over a wide variety of conditions and obstacles. With 22 inches of front travel and 24 inches in back, 72-inch Turbo RRs used to lead the class in usable suspension until the 74-inch Turbo R and 78.1-inch Maverick R came along. Besides on-the-fly DDA tuning, ride quality can also be tuned with preload to achieve the recommended 15.5-inch ride height and cross-over ring height (Fox recommends 2.5 inches).

HOW STRONG ARE THE BRAKES?

Strong with good pedal feel. Can-Am X3s sport separate front and rear hydraulic braking systems and use two-piston calipers on all four corners with 262mm front and 248mm rear rotors. They’re backed up with EBS with four-wheel engine braking when the front diff is engaged.

HOW IS IT IN DESERT AND DUNES?

Awesome. The X rs Turbo RR soaks up desert whoops, dune jumps and G-outs at insane speeds. Grippy 32-inch Maxxis Carnivore tires add ride comfort, ground clearance and traction in fast desert terrain, and they’re decent in dune sand when aired down. The Turbo RR has excellent high-speed stability, and the Fox Live Valve Internal ByPass shocks bleed off impacts from sand ruts, rocks and square edges well.

HOW IS IT IN ROCKS AND MUD?

At home sweet home. The X rs Turbo RR is highly tunable for rock crawling with Smart-Lok diff and Eco drive mode. It has 200 horsepower for conquering eastern limestone ledges encountered in the Southern Rock Racing series, and the 32-inch tires add traction, ground clearance and ride quality. Mud riders will surely go to taller mud tires, and the Turbo RR has the power to turn them with ease. Mudders will also want fender extensions and accessory lower doors to keep mud out of the cabin. We have had mud fowl the X3 seat sliders, though.

WHAT ABOUT TRAIL COMFORT?

It’s a limo-like rally car. Ergo-Lok seats provide a comfortable laid-back position that can be tuned with tools, and the retracting harnesses are very secure and comfortable. Both two-tone seats are adjustable and ride on tubular sliders. Tunable EPS assist is awesome, and all controls are slick and well placed. Four-way controls quickly dial Smart-Lok drive mode and instrument readout. A plastic roof provides excellent protection from the elements, and vibration and cabin noise are minimal. High-end Fox Live Valve IBP shocks can be instantly adjusted for maximum ride quality or handling whoops, and the 32-inch tires can be aired down for a more plush ride.

CONCLUSION

Aside from the rock-crawling and mud-riding edition X3s, the Maverick X3 X rs Smart-Shox is the best-equipped, top-shelf machine of the whole lineup. Its 200-horsepower triple is seriously fast and will pin riders to the seats, and the CVT and Smart-Lok diff provide quick acceleration with tunable drive modes. Likewise, the Smart-Shox suspension is highly tunable, along with EPS assist, for changing terrain and traction conditions. Agile handling and great high-speed stability make it a joy and thrill to drive, depending on how much lead is in your right foot. It’s sure-footed with strong brakes and great EPS assist, and cabin comfort is also excellent. Our high-mileage demo unit didn’t rattle or vibrate, either.