Moab, Utah is widely regarded as the off-road capital of the United States, and there’s no better way to experience its famous slickrock than in a side-by-side. Recently our family of four joined Can-Am for a dream trip to attend Rally on the Rocks and tackle Moab’s trails in the new 2021 Can-Am Maverick X3 side-by-sides.
Moab had been on our travel list for years. Its striking red rock formations, expansive vistas, and unique trail systems set it apart from any other place we’ve explored.
Beyond off-roading, Moab offers abundant hiking, mountain biking, river-based activities, camping, and easy access to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks for those who want to mix scenic exploration with trail riding.
But our primary goal was speed and fun on the trail—and Can-Am more than delivered.
What Are Side-by-Sides?
Side-by-sides, often called UTVs (Utility Task Vehicles), are purpose-built off-road machines that combine the compact layout of a golf cart with the capability of a dune buggy. They come as two- or four-seat configurations and include a sturdy chassis, roll cage, oversized off-road tires, and heavy-duty suspension. Think of them as full-size remote-control cars designed to conquer rugged terrain.
High ground clearance and generous approach and departure angles make side-by-sides ideal for navigating steep, narrow trails and climbing over obstacles that would stop many trucks in their tracks.
Broadly, side-by-sides fall into three categories: utility models built for ranch or farm work, high-performance models engineered for speed and handling, and crossover machines that bridge utility and sport. We own a Honda Pioneer 1000 for work and previously had a Can-Am Commander XT for mixed use. For tackling Moab’s demanding terrain, however, a high-performance Maverick X3 is the top choice for maximum fun and capability.
Can-Am Maverick X3 Performance SXS
The Maverick X3 lineup includes several variants. My son and I spent a day in the Maverick X3 RS Turbo R, and it was a blast. The machine blends potent turbocharged power with chassis and suspension components designed for aggressive trail and desert use.
Our ride began on Fins and Things, a classic Moab introduction trail with a mix of slickrock crawling, ledges, high-speed rollers, and banked turns. It delivers a little of everything and proved a great warm-up for the day.
From there we connected to the Porcupine Rim trail, which features large boulders, steep ledges, and narrow stretches along a canyon edge. Some sections demanded careful line choice and throttle control, while others allowed brief moments to soak in the spectacular scenery.
The key distinction between the Maverick X3 RS Turbo R and our Commander XT was the turbocharged acceleration. When the turbo spooled up, the RS Turbo R surged forward—its two-seat layout made it lighter and more agile than the four-seat Commander, and the combination of increased suspension travel and larger tires provided impressive comfort and control at higher speeds.
The Commander XT’s locking rear differential is handy for utility tasks, while the RS Turbo R uses an auto-locking front differential. We alternated between 2WD and 4WD and found no need to engage lockers during our runs.
For drivers who want on-the-fly, fully locking front differentials, Can-Am offers X models like the Maverick X3 Max X RS Turbo RR, which provide additional capability for more technical terrain. My wife and toddler son enjoyed riding in one of those models during our trip.
TAV’s Custom-Built Maverick X3
TAV, a respected adventure vehicle builder based in Albuquerque, took a Maverick X3 and elevated it further. Known for turning Toyota platforms into overlanding beasts, TAV applied that same engineering skill to a Maverick X3, upgrading suspension and electrical systems, fitting beefy wheels and tires, adding adventure-focused hardware, and finishing the build with a Multicam wrap.
The result is a side-by-side that looks and performs like a purpose-built expedition machine. I didn’t have the opportunity to ride in the TAV-built machine, but I trailered it several times and was impressed with its articulation and agility on technical terrain.
Partners and components on the build read like a who’s who of off-road suppliers, and I’ll cover the full build in a follow-up piece. The list of contributors included Can-Am, Front Runner Outfitters, KMC Wheels, Dometic, KC HiLiTES, James Baroud, EFX Tires, Multicam, and DMOS Collective.
While I didn’t ride inside the custom build, my wife and son were passengers and gave high marks. Laura, who normally isn’t a fan of intense rock crawling, came away impressed by the machine’s capabilities, and our three-year-old slept through some of the most technical sections—an unexpected testament to the comfort and stability the upgrades provided.
Special thanks to Josh Wagner from TAV for expert driving and a calm, confident approach—especially when our backseat co-pilot asked to “slow it down.” Walt Wagner, TAV’s founder, also led the way in another custom Maverick X3 and helped make the experience memorable.
Stock Setup Is More Than Enough
While the TAV build represents the high end of the customization spectrum, most riders don’t need that level of modification to get excellent performance. The factory Maverick X3 is engineered to satisfy the needs of the majority of drivers right out of the showroom.
With multiple turbocharged engine options, high-quality Fox shocks, and trophy truck-inspired double A-arms, the Maverick X3 is essentially Baja-ready from the factory. It delivers a potent mix of power, suspension travel, and durability that suits most trail and desert conditions.
Can-Am also offers more than 300 bolt-on accessories, allowing owners to tailor their Maverick X3 with storage solutions, windshields, winches, lighting, and more—so you can adapt the machine to your preferred style of riding or overlanding.
We’re grateful to Can-Am for organizing the trip. In addition to off-roading, we camped three nights in a Taxa Mantis at the base of Lion’s Back and explored Arches National Park. There’s more to share from this trip, and I’ll be reporting back with additional details soon.
