EVERYTHING you NEED to know about the Can-Am Maverick X3: Part 2 (E-H)

CAN-AM MAVERICK X3 A-Z, PART 2 (E-H)

Can-Am’s next-generation Maverick X3 Turbo line does for CVT-driven, turbocharged-induction UTVs as Yamaha’s YXZ1000R and YXZ1000RSS Sport Shift have done for driver-connected, five-speed, extreme-performance UTVs. Both lines have raised the bar on innovation and built-quality, and the Maverick X3 deserves the same attention and coverage we’ve devoted to the Yamahas. Here, we’ll cover E-H in our X3 A-Z series.

ERGO-LOK AND EPS
* Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit sits under the dash, and a toggle on the dash selects between three levels of assist. We like Low setting for dunes, Medium for desert and High for twisty trails and mountain switchbacks.
* Ergo-Lok cockpit features a low-slung seating position like a Formula-1 race car, more laid-back than the Wildcat 1000X and YXZ1000R, to connect the driver and passenger to the vehicle for an enhanced driving/riding experience.
* Ergo-Print seats are standard in the X3 line, and the seat base and back are rigid plastic with stiffening waffle-beams and padded seat panels with high-traction inserts and stylish stitching. Seat-backs can be adjusted 2 inches forward, and base sliders allow 6 inches of movement. We’re comfortable with stock padding but would like to see accessory seats with more suspension-padding.
* Ergonomics and adjustability in the Ergo-Lok cabin fit a wide variety of sizes, and the seats have holes for harnesses, which will increase confidence at speed.

FRAME AND FOX PODIUM TRICKERY
* Frame components are entirely tubular with Dual Phase 980 steel tubes with serious gussets for rigidity and lightness. Frame and cage tubes don’t whistle in the wind like original Mavericks.
* Fox 2.5 Podium piggyback shocks with dual-rate springs and cross-overs provide 20 inches of front and rear travel on the 64-inch wide X3 and X3 X ds. They have sturdy 7/8-inch shafts and huge reservoirs for less fluid heat-fade.
* Fox QS3 compression adjusters come on the base X3; standard setting is the #2 position front and rear. For desert chop, we like the softest setting better, and dunes and short-course calls for the hardest position. Cross-over rings are set at 4.83-inch front and 4.96-inch rear.
* X3 X ds models upgrade to Fox 2.5 Podium Dual-Speed Compression (DSC) insert on top and rebound adjusters on bottom. Standard clicker settings are LSC 2T, HSC 2T and Rebound 12c out up front and LSC 2T, HSC 3T and Rebound 15c out in back. We went out to HSC 2.5T front and HSC 3.5T rear for better ride over Arizona desert chop. Cross-overs are set at 4.72 inches front and 4.77 inches rear.
* X3 X rs Turbos upgrade to Fox 2.5 Podium RC2 piggyback front and 3.0 RC2 remote-reservoir rear shocks with 22 inches of front travel and 24 inches of rear travel.
* Fuel capacity is 10.5 gallons, with the fuel-filler cap under a panel below the right-front cage upright.

GROUND CLEARANCE AND MORE
* Gated range-selector slots and the spring-loaded selector add up to positive shifts.
* Ground Clearance is enhanced by gull-wing, high-clearance front lower A-arms and TTX rear trailing arms, although the aftermarket will produce high-clearance lower link arms in back.
* Ground clearance is 14 inches on the X3 and X3 X ds, while it’s a whopping 15 inches on the X3 X rs.
* The Glove-box lid can’t fall open on hitting big bumps like they do on RZRs and Teryxs, as the X3 glove box sits on top of the dash, and it has a large lid and capacity for gloves, tools and the manual.

 

HANDLING AND HORSEPOWER
* Handling is much crisper with Maverick X3s than with Maverick 1000Xs, as the center-of-gravity is much lower, despite having much more travel, and the wheelbase is longer. While Mavericks have more centralized mass with the mid-engine design, X3s have the fuel cell forward of the cockpit and most of the engine/Turbo mass close behind the seats.
* Headlights are LED with Halo-type LED eyebrows.
* Horsepower is 154 at 7,500 rpm, which is higher than the Lynx Commander snowmobile’s redline.