Head-to-head comparison · by the team at All-Terrain Motorsports, Grand Junction & Rifle CO · updated 2026-08-20
These are the two heavyweight sport machines everybody asks us about, and the honest answer is that both are astonishing — the question is which one fits how and where you actually ride. We sell Polaris and service everything that rolls through Grand Junction and Rifle, so we see both machines on trailers headed to Rabbit Valley, the Bookcliffs, and Moab every weekend.
The short version: the Maverick R wins the spec-sheet war with roughly 240 horsepower from its turbocharged triple and a dual-clutch gearbox that shifts like a supercar. The RZR Pro R answers with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four making about 225 horsepower — no turbo lag, no turbo heat, simpler maintenance — and the Dynamix DV suspension that many desert racers still consider the benchmark.
| Polaris RZR Pro R | Can-Am Maverick R | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L NA 4-cylinder, ~225 hp | 999cc turbo triple, ~240 hp |
| Transmission | CVT (clutch style) | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| Width | ~74 in | ~77 in |
| Altitude behavior | Linear, no lag, runs cool | Holds power best in thin air |
| Maintenance | Simpler, parts everywhere | More complex DCT service |
The Maverick R's turbo makes monster numbers, but at 5,000–8,000 feet — which is every trailhead within an hour of our stores — turbocharged engines hold their power better in thin air. Point to Can-Am at altitude. The counterpoint: the Pro R's naturally aspirated four delivers instantly and predictably with nothing to spool, and in the dunes or technical rock that immediacy is worth more than peak numbers. It also runs cooler on slow, hot crawls.
Both machines are wide-body desert cars — the Pro R about 74 inches, the Maverick R about 77. Neither belongs on 50-inch-limited singletrack (that's Ibex 450 or trail-width RZR territory). For Rabbit Valley, North Fruita Desert, and Moab's open routes, width is a non-issue and stability at speed is a gift. If your riding includes narrower Colorado trail systems, neither of these is the right tool — talk to us about a trail-width machine instead.
Here's the local reality: Polaris parts availability on the Western Slope is excellent and we stock Pro R consumables at both stores. The Maverick R's dual-clutch transmission is brilliant but it's also a newer, more complex system — service intervals matter and skipping them is expensive. Resale on both is strong, with the RZR badge historically holding value slightly better in our market simply because more buyers here grew up on Polaris.
If you want the most advanced drivetrain in the sport and mostly ride wide-open desert, the Maverick R is a technological marvel. If you want proven speed you can service anywhere between Grand Junction and Moab, the Pro R is the safer long-term bet — and it's the one we can support fastest with parts and service at both stores.
Polaris RZR — 151 in stock from $6,499
Can-Am Maverick — 37 in stock from $18,999
Counts and prices update nightly from our live inventory. Website prices include freight & setup.
The turbocharged Maverick R loses less peak power in thin air, so on paper it wins above 8,000 feet. In practice the Pro R's instant, linear delivery is easier to use on technical Colorado terrain, and it runs cooler on slow climbs.
We stock sport side-by-sides at both stores — Grand Junction (637 24 1/2 Rd) and Rifle (1014 Access Rd). Text (970) 999-1221 and we'll tell you exactly what's on the floor today.
Yes — every price on this site includes manufacturer freight and dealer setup. Most dealers add those fees later; compare accordingly.