2021 CAN-AM COMMANDER 1000

2021 CAN-AM COMMANDER 1000

After a short absence, Can-Am is bringing the family back together with the reintroduction of the Commander sport utility machine, the 2021 Can-Am Commander 1000. The Commander was Can-Am’s original side-by-side. With features like a strong Rotax V-twin, trailing-arm rear suspension and dual cargo boxes, it was one of our favorites when the sport only existed with Rhinos and Rangers.

The new Commander is actually a Maverick with a dumping bed and small tweaks. As for the bed, it’s capable of hauling 600 pounds and only has one tier, unlike the original Commander. Up front, aggressive hood and styling bring the name back in style. At first glance you can see it has a larger air opening for the radiator. What stays the same is that super-reliable Rotax V-twin engine, and on this model it can be accessed easier under the dumping cargo bed area.

WHAT’S NEW

New for this lineup are Can-Am’s own XPS tires. The 62-inch-wide base models will be shod with 27x14s on wider wheels, which extend the stance over the Maverick Sports by about 2 inches across the line. This model will have 12.5 inches of front and 13 inches of rear-wheel travel. The better-equipped XT models will have a 64-inch width sitting on 28/14-inch XPS Trail King tires. For comparison, the Maverick Sport and Trail models used Maxxis Big Horns on 12-inch wheels.

At the high end of the Commander family sits the XT-P version, which you could say is the RC of the family, as it’s equipped with a Smart-Lok auto-locking front diff. For rubber, it uses 30×15 XPS Hammer Force tires and also sits 64 inches wide, offering 13.5 inches of ground clearance. The XT-P cars will have Fox 2.5-inch Podiums with QS3 adjusters. Don’t be discouraged, as we are confident Elka Suspension’s Maverick trail shock will easily cross over to this model. We tested them on our Maverick Sport, and they are night-and-day better than stock plain-wrap shocks.

PRICE

The base-model Commander DPS will start at $16,399 for the two-seater and go to $19,199 for the four seat Commander Max DPS. The Commander XT two-seater is $18,999, and its four-seat Max counterpart will go for $21,199. This model is available in blue only, while the two-seater is available in blue, black or camo. At the end of the price scale you can pick up the Commander XT-P in two-seat only for $22,199.

QUICK SPECS: 2021 CAN-AM COMMANDER 1000

Engine 999cc, 100 horsepower, V-twin

Transmission CVT Auto

Suspension A-arms w/ 13–15”

Tires XPS 27, 28, 30

Width 62–64”

Starting price $16,399; $21,199, MAX

Contact www.can-am.brp.com

See full specs on the new Commander here: https://utvactionmag.com/new-can-am-commander/