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Can Am Defender vs Polaris Ranger

Posted on 3/8/22 at 8:17 am
Posted by Kingpenm3
Xanadu
Member since Aug 2011
8958 posts
Posted on 3/8/22 at 8:17 am
I have an old ranger 500 that I'm looking to replace. I was planning on just going with a new ranger, but wanted to see what people thought of the Can Am's these days. Specs on the lower end machines seem really close with both brands. Either brand have a killer feature giving them the edge? Tia.
Posted by lsufan1971
Zachary
Member since Nov 2003
18136 posts
Posted on 3/8/22 at 8:22 am to
I have a 2020 Ranger XP1000 premium Crew.

Pros
Plenty of power
Bed can haul 1500lbs
Better ride than older models

Cons
Have has numerous electrical issues


It’s been a decent ride but have had too many issues. Next ride will be a Mule.
Posted by jdavid1
Member since Jan 2014
2465 posts
Posted on 3/8/22 at 9:34 am to
I just went through the same dilemma. From everything I researched they are the same. Like ford vs chevy. Even most dealers who sell both say the same thing. The hardest thing is finding one. Polaris is strictly order only this year which is taking over 8 months. You would have to find one that was ordered and never picked up or just an allocation to a dealer.

I ended up going with the ranger and have been happy so far. Hope I don't have those electrical problems lsufan1971 has.
Posted by Outdoorreb
Member since Oct 2019
2515 posts
Posted on 3/8/22 at 9:53 am to
Made the switch back in 18 to defenders. Can Am’s seem to be more reliable, but I haven’t been on a Polaris since then.
Posted by BeerThirty
Red Stick
Member since May 2017
898 posts
Posted on 3/8/22 at 10:54 am to
Can confirm electrical issues! Voltage regulator, wiring harness, stator in the last 2 years on my ‘16 570-4. But, on the flip side of that I’ve beat the mess out of it, so I can’t put all of that on the manufacturer.
Posted by Redfish2010
Member since Jul 2007
15168 posts
Posted on 3/8/22 at 11:07 am to
I got a defender max xmr last season and really liked it. Very spacious and came with a little factory lift. Rides real good.

The farm we hunt is always flooding from the white river and backs up with river silt. The 30” cryptids were a game changer.
Posted by Royal
God's Country
Member since Apr 2009
1003 posts
Posted on 3/8/22 at 11:37 am to
I got a '22 defender a couple months ago and would highly recommend. Everyone I know that has had both polaris and can am recommend the can am
This post was edited on 3/8/22 at 12:01 pm
Posted by Meezy
DA Bomb Squad
Member since Apr 2005
6956 posts
Posted on 3/8/22 at 12:31 pm to
Defender
Posted by Btrtigerfan
Disgruntled employee
Member since Dec 2007
21392 posts
Posted on 3/8/22 at 6:09 pm to
Can Ams are backordered with no projected delivery date. Polaris is a four month wait.
Posted by Griffindawg
Member since Oct 2013
6131 posts
Posted on 3/8/22 at 6:20 pm to
I have a 2020 defender HD5 base model. I’ve had it about two years and I like it. Runs about 53 on pavement between all our farms which are all a few miles apart. Wish I had gotten the HD8 or 10 sometimes for more power, but I got mine out the door for $9999. Run the piss out of it 3,000 miles and 250 hours on it still feels like a new machine. Rides real smooth too.
Posted by texastiger38
Member since Sep 2007
25113 posts
Posted on 3/8/22 at 8:03 pm to
quote:

I have a 2020 Ranger XP1000 premium Crew.


Same, no issues whatsoever.
Posted by 24nights
Louisiana
Member since Apr 2012
4770 posts
Posted on 3/9/22 at 1:37 pm to
I bought the 21 can am limited and the window switches are shitty other than that it's a nice machine. The ac is top notch btw. It currently has about 46 miles on it so I don't use it that much.
Posted by tigereye58
Member since Jan 2007
2668 posts
Posted on 3/9/22 at 1:50 pm to
I have a can am hd8 I think its a 2018. Only problem I’ve had is a fouled spark plug. Changed it and it runs like a champ still. It’s a powerful machine. Get the windshield that goes up and down. Mine is a stock model with no power steering and its been perfect. We have some really steep hills and it handles those really well.
Posted by m2pro
Member since Nov 2008
28597 posts
Posted on 3/9/22 at 3:12 pm to
I got a 2021 ranger xp. Absolutely love it. Compartments galore. Tough. I do have a recall on the gas pedal pending that can cause it to run away... kinda insane, but I expect a lot of SXS's have recalls at some point. I've had no such issues with it running away, though.

I'm still new-ish to the SXS scene, but I just felt like the Ranger was like a can-am but slightly cheaper, and equally capable.
Posted by texag7
College Station
Member since Apr 2014
37492 posts
Posted on 3/9/22 at 8:25 pm to
I have both. 2020 ranger and 2021 can am

The can am rides smoother. But makes a lot more noise, squeaks etc. I personally feel like it is cheaper built. Just my opinion
Posted by Contender01
Member since Dec 2017
246 posts
Posted on 3/10/22 at 6:37 am to
Had a 10 yr old Ranger that flooded during in the IDA.

Plan was to replace with a 1000 Ranger. And happened to find find a CANAM in stock set up like I wanted. We bought it in Dec and loved it every since
I give it a thumbs up
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