The Can-Am Commander has been completely redesigned for 2021. This updated side-by-side targets drivers who want a versatile machine that balances recreational performance with practical work capability.
Side-by-sides have grown increasingly specialized. High-performance models like the Can-Am Maverick X3 use long-travel suspension and a wide track for aggressive trail riding, but they’re not optimized for a full day of ranch or farm work. Traditional utility UTVs prioritize payload and towing over high-speed handling, cornering, and big suspension travel. The new Can-Am Commander is aimed at the middle ground: a do-it-all side-by-side that leans slightly toward recreation while retaining useful work features.
Designed for overlanding, hunting, and exploring, the Commander comes in two- and four-seat configurations with multiple colors and trim levels. Can-Am also offers over 150 accessories, allowing owners to tailor their machine for hauling, camping, or trail-focused setups.
Can-Am Commander Highlights
- Performance: Powered by the proven Rotax 1000R engine producing 100 hp, the Commander offers generous ground clearance to tackle rough terrain, a quieter cabin for comfort, and improved suspension for a smoother ride across mixed surfaces.
- Workability: Practical for chores and towing, the Commander supports up to 2,000 lbs of towing capacity and features the segment’s largest dump cargo box, rated to carry up to 600 lbs of cargo.
- Design and Ergonomics: A distinct Can-Am aesthetic helps the Commander stand out, while interior improvements enhance passenger comfort for longer rides.
- Low cost of ownership: Class-leading maintenance intervals and user-friendly service access points make routine upkeep easier. Can-Am’s broad parts and accessory ecosystem helps owners get the most from the machine.
Overlanding in a Side-by-Side
Can-Am invited me to test the new Commander, supplying a loaner for a couple of weeks. It arrived at our family ranch from a Las Vegas dealer, and we immediately took it on an 80-mile overland route into the Clark Mountains near the Mojave National Preserve.
Our destination was the abandoned Colosseum Mine in the heart of the Clark Mountains. I’d last reached the site on horseback, spending several days riding and camping; this trip we drove a four-seat Commander XT, which adds roughly 100 hp over earlier models and provides extra capability for carrying people and gear.
We followed old mining roads that clearly hadn’t seen much use; many dead-ended where mine debris and washouts had piled up. The routes were narrow and littered with sharp rocks—conditions where a large vehicle like a Land Cruiser would be at risk. The Commander’s compact footprint and off-road suspension made navigating these trails far more practical.
Some sections were sketchy, but having a winch onboard gave us confidence that we could extract ourselves if needed. Ultimately we reached the mine, where a rock pile blocked the access road down into the pit. The Commander XT handled the obstacle and allowed us to descend into the bowl, where cooler temperatures and standing water made for a pleasant, secluded stop.
Our Commander XT was equipped with a factory rack and Can-Am’s LinQ attachment system, which secures storage boxes and coolers directly to the rack without straps. We loaded a cooler with water and supplies and spent some time enjoying the quiet before heading back to the ranch.
Taking the Commander out for a day of exploration was a lot of fun. The open-air feel, nimble handling, and compact size make side-by-sides ideal for remote trail work and recreational outings. We’d recently driven a Maverick X3 on a guided Moab tour and enjoyed that experience as well, but having the freedom to explore on our own with the Commander made the trip especially rewarding. We’re eager to return and explore more trails around the ranch.
With more time, we would have loaded the Commander for an extended camping trip. Its combination of passenger space, cargo capacity, and accessory options make it well suited to finding and outfitting remote campsites away from crowded areas. The four-seat Commander XT comfortably carries four adults plus their gear, making multi-day excursions realistic and enjoyable.
