2020 Side X Side Buying Guide
Berts Mega Mall | Powersports Hub
Choosing the right sport side x side that offers the best quality, versatility, and overall fun can be overwhelming because of how many great options there are currently available. One of the best ways to make this choice easier is to narrow down what features you are more interested in having and where you will be spending your time riding. We will go over popular brands on models like Polaris®, Can-Am®, Kawasaki, Honda®, Nikola, and Yamaha SXS. There are many categories to go through and you may forget one so we have come up with 15 different categories that could be used to help you choose and consider what qualities are most important to you. Please keep in mind this is just our Bert’s Mega Mall team’s opinion!
Highest Horsepower:
We all want the highest performing machine and with high performance must come high horsepower. Recently the power sports world has been able to increase the horsepower from 172hp to 195hp coming from Can-Am®. This gives off-road enthusiasts the opportunity to take on more when out in the dunes or desert and handle tougher situations. Here are the top two choices with the highest hp out now.
Non-Turbo: The Nikola NZT has an impressive 550 hp but is also on the list of higher-end SXS because it is completely electric and built-in small batches. Its MSRP is $80,000, the most expensive SXS in our list, and production will begin 2021.
Turbo: The Can-Am® Maverick X3 Turbo RR is the more common and affordable SXS on the market with the highest hp of 195. This SXS model has a starting MSRP at $24,999.
Best Suspension:
An important factor to keep in mind and research properly when choosing your new SXS is the suspension. Every off-roader driver knows whether you are in the desert going up or down steep hillsides or in the dunes about to jump a sand dune a reliable suspension system is a must. All SXS come with some type of suspension but manufacturers do take the time to create some with higher quality and better features. Our choice for the SXS with the best suspension is ….
The Can-Am® Maverick X3 XRS Turbo RR with an MSRP of $27,499 this SXS comes with FOX 3.0 PODIUM RC2 Piggyback shocks, ready to handle what’s ahead. With a simple suspension tune, these are nearly unbeatable!
Best Technology:
Technology nowadays only makes our lives easier and better (some could say) so having to the best technology that is out for an SXS could only enhance your off-roading experience. One of the most popular features that can be found now in the Ride Command. This is a feature that is exclusive to Polaris®. With that being said, our choice for SXS with the best technology has to be…
The Polaris® RZR Turbo S Platform. Using the Ride Command and app, riders can map rides in advance and transfer waypoints from their phones to the display via Bluetooth plus a backup camera and did we mention Fox LiveValve electronic shocks? This will give you peace of mind when riding all over the desert or dunes.
Best for Kids:
The great thing about the SXS world is that it allows our youth to participate in the action. And with increasing popularity, it’s no wonder companies have now come out with scaled-down machines for theses youth drivers. A well-engineered, extremely well-equipped machine at a very good price is ideal for young riders because they will eventually grow out of this which is why we’ve chosen the Hi-Sun Strike 250.
The HiSun Strike 250 comes fully loaded with rood, windshield, winch, turn signals, horn and aluminum rims and has an MSRP of $5,199!
Best for Utility:
There are also sport SXS that are available for utility use. You may need help transporting supplies or tools across varied landscapes and there are many options. The decision can become a little tough when you start thinking about what you want, whether it’s a sport SXS or more utility. Luckily, for those who are faced with this dilemma, you can find a mix from Polaris®. The winner for this category is…..
The Polaris® General 1000 has an MSRP of $16,799 and is considered the industry’s best-selling crossover vehicle for a reason. It delivers power, performance, and comfort for the ultimate off-road adventure.
Best Gas Mileage:
When planning a long and action-packed weekend with many miles of exploration up ahead, a SXS with the best gas mileage is a very important factor to consider. Being left stranded and having to wait for someone to bring back the gas does not sound like an ideal way to spend an evening or afternoon. Many riders have chosen…..
The Honda® Talon as the SXS with the best gas mileage on the market right now. With an MSRP of $20,999, it comes with a 7.3-gallon tank and a 1.1-gallon reserve.
Best Budget Sport SXS:
Before you purchase anything you always set a budget for yourself. SXS’s range cost from $13,000 to $30,000 depending on the brand and model that you are interested in. Off-roading can sometimes be a little pricey and we understand that. Fortunately, there are great SXS’s available for those who have a tighter budget. Here is our SXS choice that can work and play hard, but is a little easier on your wallet….
The Yamaha YXZ is one of the most affordable sport SXS starting at $18,999. A focused, pure sport SXS that brings a superior level of high-performance to every ride, from open deserts to tight woods. The Yamaha is also one of the only SXS that uses a direct drive so no belt is involved, just shift and go!
Best for Families:
One of the great things about owning a Sport SXS is that it is fun for the entire family. For those looking for a machine that can not only negotiate the toughest of trails but does so with the entire family along for the adventure, this is the SXSs you’ll want to give a solid look.
Maverick X3 MAX Models are great for family adventures allowing 4 passengers to enjoy the thrill of off-road riding. With 18% more seat pitch for rear passengers than the Polaris® RZR XP4, plus fore, aft and height adjustments, anyone in the second row will find the perfect perch for what’s about to unfold. There are well-placed footrests, grab handles and even some cup holders!
Best for Trail Riding:
While all SXS’s are designed to handle different terrain that comes their way, some SXS can handle better than others. When you’re trying to follow a trail that has some challenging obstacles like huge rocks, downed trees, or water crossings you want to make sure you have something that can easily conquer over. Here is our choice of best SXS for trail riding…
The Polaris® RZR Trails and Rocks chews up the impassable for performance in the most challenging terrain imaginable. This SXS has an MSRP of $23,599 and the instant delivery of 110 naturally aspirated HP is fed through 55% lower gearing & new low-speed throttle mapping for perfect modulation of Polaris®’s True On-Demand All Wheel Drive system.
Best for Dune Riding:
Riding sand dunes in the best SXS built for it might just be the most entertaining and fun adventure you can experience on 4 wheels. The sand dunes give riders a natural ever-changing roller-coaster landscape that goes from high reaching peaks to low-level valleys gives thrill-seekers a heart-racing and stomach-clenching rush. Having the right SXS for the dunes is helpful to get the best experience.
The Canam Maverick X3 XRS is perfect for the dunes! It balances agility with comfort and stability, with little bucking or pitching when the terrain gets really rough.
Best Interior Appearance:
Since you will be spending your time on the inside of you SXS the interior definitely matters. You want to make sure you are not only comfortable but maybe even have some cool technology inside to enhance your riding experience. Here is our choice for the SXS with the best appearance…
The Polaris® RZR Pro XP is completely redesigned to provide ease for the driver and passenger. It has a lower seating position, six-point retractable harnesses, a telescoping steering wheel with all controls within reach of the driver, and all in an additional four inches of width and six inches of length to the Pro XP cockpit. The RZR Pro XP Ultimate model has a Ride Command which has GPS, Bluetooth, and Group Ride feature with vehicle-to-vehicle pairing for convenient tracking on the trails.
Best Exterior Appearance:
What’s on the outside matters too! Depending on your taste and look you’re going for you might want an off-road race look. Most of the SXS’s we’ve gone over have that race look but there is one that stands out the most to us. Here is our choice for SXS with the best exterior appearance…
The Can-Am® Maverick X3 XRS Turbo RR with a starting MSRP of $27,499 boasts a 72inch wide stance with 24 inches of suspension travel. No other sport SXS looks so much like an off-road race car. Can-Am® admits that the front suspension was inspired by trophy trucks.
Best for Aftermarket Customizations:
As great as all SXS’s are when you buy them in their stock set up, they can almost always be made better. Having a SXS with a proper aftermarket SXS accessories to fit your specific model and favorite terrain is important to transform your SXS to the next level of performance, comfort, and drivability.
The Polaris® RZR XP 4 1000 and RZR XP 4 Turbo are great vehicles to own because they have a great number of aftermarket parts that can transform your SXS to the next level! But for the most part, ALL SXS can be accessorized to meet your desired qualities!
Most Reliable:
You can and should expect reliability from any SXS you decide to purchase, however, there can always be one that comes out on top. And reliability can always be reassuring because SXS have always been a bit costly. Some of these SXS’s can be more expensive than a well-equipped car, and because of that, getting something that lasts a long time is certainly important. Our top pick for the most reliable SXS in 2020 is……
The Kawasaki KRX 1000 has an MSRP of $20,499 and although this SXS is still fairly new to the market, we have deemed it to be the most reliable because of the suspension that seems to be very controlled and body roll that was managed by the sway bars. The KRX has been said it never felt uncomfortable while riding.
Our Pick for 2020:
There are so many great choices out there but we do have to choose our favorite and top pick for 2020. We’d say the Canam Maverick X3 XRC Turbo RR with a starting MSRP of $29,599 comes with an engine that now supplies an industry-leading 195hp, internally, the new Rotax engine uses a Rotax-manufactured turbo and pistons to assure maximum quality. The CVT was also recalibrated to match the new performance levels and improve belt longevity. The 2020 now also has a bolder appearance and a larger diameter 32-in. Maxxis Liberty tires and 15-in. wheels for better ground contact and obstacle crossings. A new digital display improves first-glance visibility. The base units receive a 4.5-in. digital display, while all Maverick X3 X-package vehicles now include a premium, easier-to-read 7.6-in. digital display. An all-new onboard keypad simplifies drive mode, trip and DPS selection.
Which is Right For You?
Whether you are looking for something thrilling on the dunes or family-friendly, there is a SXS for you. With so many models to choose from, we hope we were able to narrow down your options and the qualities you are looking for in a SXS. No matter what SXS you decide to go with, they each have their own unique and special feature that another might not have. These are all great options depending on what you will be using them for! Happy riding!
Related:
-5 Things to Know BEFORE Buying your SXS
-Breaking Down the New 2020 Polaris® RZR Line-up
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