First Ride: 2026 Can-Am Defender HD11

The first thing anyone wants to know is about the engine. The top-model Defender now comes with an all-new HD11 999cc inline three-cylinder Rotax ACE engine. This motor produces 95 horsepower and 70 lb-ft of torque. The torque is what you really feel when you get on the gas, as you can go from slow to fast in pretty short order. We were riding in Connecticut at Backyard Adventure UTV Tours, and there were some spots you could pick up the speed some, along with some pretty decent hills and other varied terrain. Having spent countless hours in the old HD10 models, I can say there is a vast improvement in power and power delivery with the new motor.

Getting that power to the ground is an all-new continuously variable transmission (CVT) and pDrive primary clutch designed to improve low-speed power delivery. Reliability was also a key factor in the new transmission design. That will be something to determine with longer testing, but I can say that the low-speed power is vastly improved, and that says something since the previous rendition of the Defender had some serious oomph. The transmission also uses three new selectable drive modes – Normal, Work, and Sport. I tried out all three and found myself enjoying the Sport mode for trail riding. It gives a great boost to the recreation side of a utility/recreation–class UTV like the Defender. 

Can-Am completely redesigned the Defender’s intake system for better airflow to bump-up the engine performance. The airbox is much easier to get to now, and the system rides higher in the machine for better clearance when you get it wet.

A bigger motor means a need for better cooling and Can-Am created a new cooling system to manage the engine temperature and boost the HVAC performance for the Limited models. More on the HVAC in a minute. 

The differential difference

As with previous Defender models, the differentials have options depending upon model. The 2026 Defender XT packages are equipped with a new Quick-4Lok auto-locking front differential, while the Limited, Lonestar and X mr packages carry the automatic, electronically controlled Smart-Lok front differential to maximize traction in most conditions. The Quick-4Lok system is slick and operates with a simple bottom push. It engages smoothly and you’re good to go. Smart-Lok is the same as before and smoothly and efficiently locks in the front diff and gives you traction when the machine senses wheel slippage. We hit a couple of steeper hills with some slick rocks and mud thrown in. The Defender climbed up and over like a mountain goat with a cougar on its tail.

HVAC and more

Speaking of the touchscreen, it comes loaded with stuff, including a back-up camera and built-in GPS that tracks every ride and lets you locate friends with or without a phone or network connection. This infotainment system also lets riders seamlessly control music, monitor ride statistics, manage accessories and unlock advanced off-road navigation features through the BRP GO! App. The Defender has some stereo options that mech up and can make the Defender a sweet ride if you’re looking to share your tunes. The stock JL system on the Limited model was more than enough for me.

The chassis

The frame is completely new. It sits a little wider than the previous Defender and maxes out the towing and hauling capabilities to what the government says is the maximum. Towing is 2,500 pounds, cargo is 1,000 pounds, etc. It’d easily go well past that, but Can-Am can’t say that, and I maybe shouldn’t. But hey, I grew up on a farm and know that farmers don’t care what the manual says, if they need it to do it, they’ll try, and if you try with the Defender, you’ll be pretty happy. 

Ground clearance is 15 massive inches now. The Limited model rolls on 30-inch tires on 15-inch wheels. Other models use a 29 on 14-inch wheel combo. The arched A-arms are bigger and more robust, as well as all of the bushings are now double-bonded and maintenance free. Again, a longer test is in order, and being arranged, but the chassis was smooth and tight, and everything worked as advertised. 

The only Defender MAX model they had on hand was the new X-MR. I spent some time behind the wheel of this model and can add that it does NOT drive like a mud machine. This is a good thing. It handles extremely well and is smoother than any mud model I’ve ever driven. The snorkels they added are very refined and almost stealthy in how they are represented. It’s super quiet compared to other mudders and while the tires weren’t the most aggressive mud tires I’ve seen, they worked. Another editor and I had the opportunity to take the X-MR down a creek for some splash therapy and the Defender never skipped a beat, even in water that was rolling over the hood. 

Other goodies

One of the regulations that has changed for side-by-sides is that they now have to have some form of minimum protection to keep sticks and other debris from blasting through the floor and into the driver’s area. Some companies are going with heavier steel skid plates and reinforced flooring. Can-Am created a composite skid plate that bolts on in two to three pieces depending upon the model. This skid plate meets the impact requirements and can easily be removed for maintenance, and it keeps weight levels lowered.

The Defender has 175 accessories ready to go and among them are some cool new things, like a snow plow system that auto connects with no need to have a frame bolted onto your machine. It’s slick, and yes, we will be testing it this winter. There are way more accessories than I have space to write about, so if you want it as an accessory, chances are good Can-Am has it. 

There’s some news on the key front, with a D.E.S.S. key that you can program to limit speed. Want to use a Defender on your job site, but want to keep the employees from hot rodding? Set the speed on the key and it won’t go past it.

Headlights are now all LED models and extremely bright. They have some cool variations with their LED lightbar accessories, too, including some speed-sensitive models that are just killer. 

And a welcome change - all 4,500-poind winches now come with synthetic rope instead of cable! The bumpers on the XT and Limited models offer winch mounting options, too, so you can move the winch to a higher location with ease. 

Pricing for the Defender HD11 starts around $22,999 for the XT and goes up closing in on the $40K mark for the Lonestar MAX cab models with all the goodies. Want more? Go to https://can-am.brp.com/us/en/.