The best 50-inch side-by-sides for 2026: the Polaris RZR Trail, CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 Trail and 800 Trail, Can-Am Maverick Trail and Honda Pioneer 520, compared on power, suspension, weight and price using the manufacturers' own figures.
The best 50-inch side-by-side for most trail riders in 2026 is the Polaris RZR Trail: 75 hp, 10 inches of travel and the shortest wheelbase in the class for tight timber. If you want the most power per dollar, the CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 Trail makes 83 hp, the most of any 50-inch machine. If you need a dump box for chores, the Honda Pioneer 520 is the only 50-inch utility model.
- Best all-round trail machine: Polaris RZR Trail. 75 hp, 79-inch wheelbase, 11 inches of clearance.
- Most power: CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 Trail. 83 hp V-twin and 12 inches of rear travel.
- Best value: CFMOTO ZFORCE 800 Trail. 58 hp V-twin for $13,999.
- Most stable at speed: Can-Am Maverick Trail. A 90.6-inch wheelbase and a choice of 52 or 75 hp.
- Best for work: Honda Pioneer 520. 450-pound dump box, geared transmission, no belt.
Every spec below comes from the manufacturer’s spec sheet for the 2026 model, except the Can-Am figures, which come from BRP’s current Maverick Trail page. Prices are the manufacturer’s suggested retail price on units we stocked in Ontario this year (BRP’s published starting price for the Can-Am), before freight, setup and fees. Prices change, so check current inventory or call us.
Looking for the best side-by-side at any width? See our 2026 picks by job. For exact widths across every brand, see our side-by-side dimensions guide.
What Is a 50-Inch Side-by-Side?
A 50-inch side-by-side is a UTV no wider than 50 inches, measured at its widest point. That width lets it use trails built for ATVs, which the Forest Service and BLM often mark as open only to vehicles 50 inches or narrower. Wider machines, usually 60 to 64 inches, are limited to roads and wider trails.
50-Inch Side-by-Side Comparison
| Model | MSRP | Engine | Power | Travel (F/R) | Wheelbase | Dry weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polaris RZR Trail Sport | $16,999 | 875cc twin | 75 hp | 10 / 10 in. | 79 in. | 1,255 lb |
| CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 Trail | Call | 963cc V-twin | 83 hp | 10 / 12 in. | 90 in. | 1,314 lb |
| CFMOTO ZFORCE 800 Trail | $13,999 | 800cc V-twin | 58 hp | 10 / 12 in. | 90 in. | 1,290 lb |
| Can-Am Maverick Trail 700 | From $14,999 | 650cc single | 52 hp | 10 / 10.5 in. | 90.6 in. | 1,365 lb |
| Can-Am Maverick Trail 1000 | Call | 976cc V-twin | 75 hp | 10 / 10.5 in. | 90.6 in. | 1,467 lb |
| Honda Pioneer 520 | $10,999 | 518cc single | Not published | 5.8 / 5.9 in. | 73 in. | 1,060 lb curb |
All six are 50 inches wide. Every sport model here tows 1,500 pounds and carries 300 pounds in the box (CFMOTO doesn’t publish a box rating for the ZFORCE Trail). The Pioneer 520 carries 450 pounds and tows 1,000. Honda does not publish a horsepower figure.
1. Polaris RZR Trail (Best All-Round Trail Machine)
The RZR Trail is the most agile machine in the class. Its 79-inch wheelbase is 11 to 11.6 inches shorter than the CFMOTO or Can-Am, so it turns tighter between trees and on switchbacks.
- Power: An 875cc twin making 75 hp.
- Suspension: Dual A-arms with stabilizer bars and 10 inches of travel front and rear, with 11 inches of ground clearance.
- Drive: True on-demand AWD engages the front wheels when the rear wheels slip.
- Trims: The RZR Trail Sport ($16,999) has stamped steel wheels. The RZR Trail Ultimate ($19,999) adds cast aluminum wheels and VersaTrac Turf Mode.
The RZR Trail S is a different machine. At 60 inches wide it won’t fit 50-inch trails.
2. CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 Trail (Most Power)
The ZFORCE 950 Trail makes 83 hp from a 963cc V-twin, more than any other 50-inch side-by-side.
- Suspension: 10 inches of front travel and 12 inches in the rear, the most rear travel in the class, with an adjustable toe control link.
- Drive: 2WD, 4WD and a locking 4WD mode.
- Wheels: 14-inch cast aluminum, larger than the 12-inch wheels on the RZR Trail and Maverick Trail.
- Equipment: CFMOTO lists the winch and roof as add-ons on some 2026 packages, so ask us what is on a specific unit before you compare prices.
For less money: the ZFORCE 800 Trail ($13,999) uses the same chassis and suspension with an 800cc V-twin making 58 hp. It is the least expensive sport machine in the class.
New to the brand? Our guide to whether CFMOTO is a good brand covers warranty, parts and resale.
3. Can-Am Maverick Trail (Most Stable at Speed)
The Maverick Trail has the longest wheelbase in the class at 90.6 inches, which keeps it steady at speed on open forest roads and gives the cab more legroom than the RZR Trail.
- Engines: The Maverick Trail 700 uses a Rotax 650cc single making 52 hp and 42 lb-ft. The Maverick Trail 1000 uses a Rotax 976cc V-twin making 75 hp.
- Suspension: 10 inches of front travel and 10.5 inches in the rear, with 10 inches of ground clearance.
- Price: BRP lists the 2026 Maverick Trail from $14,999.
- Trade-off: It is the heaviest sport model here, at 1,365 pounds for the 700 and 1,467 for the 1000.
4. Honda Pioneer 520 (Best for Work)
The Pioneer 520 is the only 50-inch side-by-side built for work. It has a 450-pound dump box and tows 1,000 pounds.
- No belt: A five-speed automatic transmission with AT and MT modes, so you have no drive belt to burn and you get real engine braking on descents.
- 2026 changes: Honda revised the final drive and transmission gearing for a 23 percent increase in top speed, added under-seat storage and improved heat management to keep the cabin cooler.
- Size: At 105 inches long and 1,060 pounds curb weight, it is the shortest and lightest machine here.
- Trade-off: 5.8 inches of front travel and 8.5 inches of clearance make it slower than the sport models on rough trail.
How to Choose a 50-Inch Side-by-Side
- Check your trails. Look up the motor vehicle use map for the forest or BLM district you ride. If it marks trails as 50 inches or narrower, you need a machine from this list.
- Keep it legal after accessories. Manufacturers measure width on stock wheels and tires. Wider wheels, offset spacers or bigger tires can push a 50-inch machine over the limit.
- Pick a wheelbase for your terrain. Tight timber and switchbacks favor the RZR Trail’s 79 inches. Fast forest roads and whoops favor the 90-inch CFMOTO and Can-Am.
- Decide whether you need a box. If you haul firewood, tools or game regularly, the Pioneer 520’s 450-pound dump box beats the 300-pound racks on the sport models.
Where to Ride a 50-Inch Side-by-Side Near Ontario, Oregon
The Boise and Payette national forests both have trail systems limited to 50 inches. See where to ride near Ontario for trail systems, and our Oregon and Idaho OHV permit guide before you cross the state line: each state requires its own permit.
Buying a 50-Inch Side-by-Side at Edge Performance Sports
We sell every machine on this list (Polaris, CFMOTO, Can-Am and Honda) on one lot in Ontario, Oregon, so you can sit in each one in an afternoon and feel the difference in cab room. Oregon has no sales tax.
Browse side-by-sides in stock, get pre-approved for financing or contact us to set up a test ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best 50-inch side-by-side in 2026?
For most trail riders, the Polaris RZR Trail: 75 hp, 10 inches of travel and a 79-inch wheelbase that turns tight in timber. The CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 Trail has more power (83 hp), and the Honda Pioneer 520 is the pick if you need a dump box for work.
Which 50-inch side-by-side has the most horsepower?
The CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 Trail, with 83 hp from a 963cc V-twin. The Polaris RZR Trail and Can-Am Maverick Trail 1000 follow at 75 hp.
What is the cheapest 50-inch side-by-side?
The Honda Pioneer 520 at $10,999 MSRP. The cheapest 50-inch sport model is the CFMOTO ZFORCE 800 Trail at $13,999, followed by the Can-Am Maverick Trail from $14,999.
Is the Can-Am Maverick Trail better than the Polaris RZR Trail?
It depends on where you ride. The Maverick Trail’s 90.6-inch wheelbase is steadier at speed and gives more legroom. The RZR Trail’s 79-inch wheelbase turns tighter, and it is about 110 pounds lighter than a Maverick Trail 700.
Which 50-inch side-by-side does not use a belt?
The Honda Pioneer 520. It uses a five-speed automatic transmission with AT and MT modes instead of a CVT belt. Every other 50-inch side-by-side here uses a CVT.
Are 50-inch side-by-sides legal on ATV trails in Idaho and Oregon?
On trails that the managing agency opens to vehicles 50 inches or narrower, yes. Check the Forest Service or BLM motor vehicle use map for each trail, and carry the right state permit: Oregon and Idaho do not honor each other’s.
Do aftermarket wheels make a 50-inch side-by-side too wide?
They can. The 50-inch figure is measured on stock wheels and tires. Wider wheels, offset spacers or larger tires can push the machine past 50 inches, which makes it illegal on width-restricted trails.
Can I haul a 50-inch side-by-side in a pickup bed?
Most riders use a trailer. The Pioneer 520 is the shortest at 105 inches, longer than an 8-foot (96-inch) bed, so the tailgate has to stay down, and its 1,060-pound curb weight takes most of a half-ton pickup’s payload. Check your truck’s payload rating first. A 10 to 12 foot utility trailer carries any machine on this list.