First Ride: 2025 Can-Am Outlander XT-P 1000R

Nestled in the woods near Shuswap Lake, Carl Kuster Mountain Park (CKMP) is an hour and a half north of Kelowna, British Columbia – a bustling mountain town in the Okanagan Valley on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake. This is where Can-Am introduced their newly updated 2025 Can-Am Outlander 850 and 1000R ATVs. According to the team, these machines consist of 95% new parts, so this isn’t just a refresh; it’s a complete overhaul.

Powered by a 999cc DOHC liquid-cooled V-twin producing 101 horsepower and 69 lb-ft of torque, the Outlander 1000R is the first ATV from Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) to hit triple-digit horsepower. The Rotax engine is paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and pDrive primary clutch. The CVT features a revised ratio that delivers 20% more low-end torque while improving durability and belt life.

Additionally, the drivetrain includes new front and rear differentials. The XT model boasts the upgraded and fully lockable Visco-4Lok front differential, along with Intelligent Throttle Control (iTC™️), which offers three riding modes: Standard, Work, and Sport. Intelligent Engine Braking comes standard on both the 850 and 1000R models and all trim packages. All 1000R models feature four-wheel disc brakes, while the 850 has three rotors (two in the front and one at the rear), except for the 850 X MR, which is equipped with four because…mud.

Both the 850 and 1000R models are powered by the same 999cc V-twin, though the 850 is a detuned version of the Rotax engine, delivering 82 horsepower and 66 lb-ft of torque, compared to the 1000R’s 101 horsepower that the 1000R model range has at its disposal. The motor features dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) and a higher compression ratio of 11.8:1, designed to increase longevity and reliability. 

Comparing these models to the original Outlander introduced in 2005, the contrast is staggering. For one, the first version made only 62 horsepower! While the 2025 models weigh between 851 and 975 pounds, their higher horsepower and more efficient intake and exhaust systems, which help reduce engine heat, mean these ATVs not only generate more power but are more efficient, easier to maintain, and they will last longer in your stable than the outgoing G2+ platform, in theory.

In the shadow of Queest Mountain, we threw our leg over the 2025 Can-Am Outlander XT-P 1000R and embarked on a wild, albeit shorter ride around the CKMP property, taking turns around an off-road course set up by BRP to showcase the capabilities of both the Outlander 850 and 1000R. With a claimed zero-to-60 time of 5.9 seconds (6.5 for the 850), I immediately tested the throttle to see how quickly this 975-pound machine could go from a standstill to freeway speeds. Ruckus: that’s the word to describe the Outlander 1000R’s acceleration. With 101 horsepower directed to all four wheels, the Outlander takes off like a feral animal breaking out of its cage.

The 2025 models feature new arched A-arm suspension components, providing 10.8 inches of travel in the front and 12 inches in the rear. The center of gravity is lower than on the outgoing G2+ models, and the new Outlander is now 48.5 inches wide, offering 11.5 inches of ground clearance – a half-inch increase over previous versions. The new suspension design expands the width to 50 inches under full compression, enhancing cornering stability and traction, which became evident as I sent it into the woods at CKMP. 

The lower center of gravity and front sway bar (only on 1000R models) reduce body roll, thanks to the shorter distance between the center of gravity and the roll center. Additionally, an all-new steel frame is both lighter and more rigid than that of the outgoing models. The course at CKMP allowed us to test the Outlander’s capabilities at low speeds and over obstacles. Yes, the machine is an absolute monster, and with 101 horsepower on tap, you need to control the thumb throttle carefully to avoid overcorrections.

However, the engine’s low-end torque means you can muscle over (and through) tough terrain with moderate throttle input. The 5.5mm thick full-length skid plate and added A-arm protection ensure the Outlander isn’t afraid to slide over just about anything; a theory I tested repeatedly over two days in British Columbia. 

After several laps on the short, skill-intensive course, we took a break for lunch and exchanged thoughts on the all-new Can-Am. While the horsepower battle between brands continues, the consensus among my fellow journalists was that the most significant improvement to this full-size ATV is the updated arched A-arm suspension. The XT-P model we tested comes standard with FOX QS3 shocks (standard Outlander 850 and 1000 models come with Showa shocks). 

This, coupled with the front sway bar, wider track, new 27-inch XPS Trail King 2 tires, and three riding modes, made the otherwise massive Outlander feel surprisingly agile on the tight, wooded trails. Additionally, the four-wheel disc brakes and Intelligent Engine Braking also ensured we could bring the beast to a halt when needed. But first, we packed up after lunch, and picked up speed towards Queest Mountain’s summit at an elevation of 7,500 feet.

The outgoing 2024 Outlander 1000R featured a 976cc Rotax V-twin producing an impressive 91 horsepower. While not a passive change, the jump to 101 horsepower for 2025 is notable as it makes BRP the first to offer an ATV with triple-digit horsepower. (And they were sure to remind us of that.) As we turned onto a wide fire road, our convoy of Outlanders disappeared into the dust. 

I was a few riders behind, chasing two at least seasoned ATV journalists who clearly had more seat time than me. I followed their lead, hanging off the machine and counterweighting into off-camber corners. Acceleration arrived rapidly with all four wheels trying to find grip on the loose, rocky road.Sideways and sliding out of most turns, I felt bad for the riders behind me who I was bathing in a massive cloud of dirt and dust…but only slightly.

The Outlander 1000R is extraordinarily stable at speed, and the wide aluminum handlebar and one-inch riser give you the leverage needed to muscle this 975-pound machine up a mountain (or wherever you take it). Better yet, the XT-P model we tested included 6.5-inch Bluetooth speakers, allowing me to also subject those fellow riders to full-decibel sounds of Madonna as we ascended the mountain.

The top-tier Limited model features a new 10.25-inch touchscreen display that can be adjusted at speeds under 5 mph; beyond that, you must use the handlebar controls. You can also change drive modes and adjust Intelligent Engine Braking on the fly. A built-in GPS comes standard, though it’s a “find-and-follow” system, technically, and not true navigation. The Limited Edition is designed more for touring, ideal for those who plan to travel long distances. 

The XT-P, in contrast, is more of a Sport machine. Its capabilities were proven on the ride back to CKMP, making quick work of the fire road we’d ascended earlier. With Intelligent Engine Braking set to MAX, the Outlander handled the tight off-camber, as well as decreasing-radius corners of the fire road with ease, requiring minimal brake input. And the acceleration upon exit was just as you’d expect from an ATV providing 101 horsepower beneath your butt.

In total, there are 12 variations of the 2025 Outlander, split between 850 and 1000 models. These range from the standard model to the Outlander MAX 6X6 XT 1000. Sharing over 90 accessories with the outgoing G2+ platform, the new Outlander can transform into just about any kind of ATV you could want. There are options for a variety of external LED lighting configurations. Quick-release mounting points on the front and rear allow for additional racks and modular storage cases, including a large storage box that can fit two full-size helmets.

The Outlander offers up to 90 liters of front storage and 87 liters in the rear, thanks to the modular LinQ system. A two-inch receiver hitch is standard on both the 850 and 1000 versions, offering 1,830 pounds of towing capacity. According to Can-Am, the 2025 Outlander requires its first maintenance at 3,000 km (1,854 miles), with valve adjustments needed at 9,000 km (5,592 miles).

Overall, improved maintenance intervals, easy access to working parts, reduced engine and CVT noise, less heat thanks to a redesigned intake and exhaust, and a notable increase in power and torque make the 2025 Outlander XT-P 1000R a standout in its class. Coupled with an upgraded suspension geometry for increased traction and reduced body roll, means the 2025 Outlander XT-P 1000R, and subsequent variants, are in a league of their own.

Expect the 2025 Outlander 850 and 1000 to arrive at dealerships in February 2025, with an MSRP starting at $11,199 for the 850 and $13,899 for the 1000R.