The best side-by-side depends on the job. Our 2026 picks for ranch work, value, 50-inch trails, work-and-play crossovers, families and desert sport, compared on the manufacturers' own power, box, towing and suspension figures, from a dealer that sells Polaris, Can-Am, Honda, Kawasaki and CFMOTO.
The best side-by-side for 2026 depends on what you need it to do. For work, the Polaris Ranger XP 1000, Can-Am Defender HD9, Honda Pioneer 1000 and Kawasaki Ridge all carry 1,000 pounds in the box and tow 2,500 pounds; the CFMOTO UFORCE 1000 matches those ratings for less money. For 50-inch trails, the Polaris RZR Trail. For work and play in one machine, the Polaris General 1000 or Can-Am Commander. For the desert, the Can-Am Maverick R and Polaris RZR Pro R lead on power and suspension travel.
We sell all five brands on one lot in Ontario, Oregon, so none of these picks is a sales pitch for one manufacturer. Every number below is the manufacturer’s own 2026 figure (2027 where noted) from the spec sheets on our model pages.
Our Picks at a Glance
| If you need | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ranch and farm work | Polaris Ranger XP 1000, Can-Am Defender HD9, Honda Pioneer 1000, Kawasaki Ridge | 1,000 lb box and 2,500 lb towing on all four |
| The most for the money | CFMOTO UFORCE 1000 | Same box and towing ratings as the big four |
| A smaller, cheaper work machine | Polaris Ranger SP 570, CFMOTO UFORCE 600 | 56 to 57 in. wide, 1,500 lb towing |
| 50-inch trails | Polaris RZR Trail, CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 Trail | 50 in. wide with 75 and 83 hp |
| Work and play | Polaris General 1000, Can-Am Commander XT 1000R | 100 hp with a dumping box |
| Family and crew | Polaris Ranger Crew XP 1000, Can-Am Defender MAX, Kawasaki Ridge Crew | Six seats and a full-size box |
| Desert and dunes | Can-Am Maverick R, Polaris RZR Pro R | 240 and 225 hp, 25 in. or more of travel |
What Is the Best Side-by-Side for Ranch and Farm Work?
Four machines carry the full work rating of a 1,000-pound box and 2,500-pound towing, and the choice between them comes down to what you value most:
- Kawasaki Ridge: the most power of the group at 116 hp from an inline four-cylinder, with 12.7 inches of travel at each end for a smoother ride across rough ground.
- Polaris Ranger XP 1000: 82 hp, 14 inches of ground clearance and a 1,500-pound payload.
- Can-Am Defender HD9: the biggest box here at 38 x 54.5 x 12 inches, and a 1,500-pound payload.
- Honda Pioneer 1000: 999cc twin, 13.8 inches of clearance and Honda’s reputation for running for years with basic care.
Our eastern Oregon ranch side-by-side guide goes deeper on work use, and our Ranger vs Defender vs Pioneer comparison puts the three best sellers head to head.
What Is the Best Side-by-Side for the Money?
The CFMOTO UFORCE 1000. Its 71 hp V-twin is down on power against the big four, but it carries the same 1,000-pound box rating and 2,500-pound towing for less money. Our guide to whether CFMOTO is a good brand covers the trade-offs, and our best affordable side-by-sides roundup compares the budget field.
For a smaller machine, the Polaris Ranger SP 570 (44 hp, 500-pound box, 1,500-pound towing, 56 inches wide) and the CFMOTO UFORCE 600 (36 hp, 600-pound box, 1,500-pound towing, 57 inches wide) cost less again and fit narrower gates and smaller trailers.
What Is the Best Side-by-Side for Trail Riding?
On trails restricted to 50 inches, the Polaris RZR Trail (75 hp, 10 inches of travel) or the CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 Trail (83 hp). Both are exactly 50 inches wide. The Honda Pioneer 520 is the 50-inch pick if you also need a box for chores, though its 5.8 inches of front travel makes it a slower trail machine.
Where width is not restricted, a full-size sport-trail machine such as the Polaris RZR XP 1000 (114 hp, 20 inches of usable travel) or Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000 (110 hp, 14.8 inches of clearance, 2027) rides rough trail far better. Our side-by-side dimensions guide lists the width of every model.
What Is the Best Side-by-Side for Work and Play?
A crossover gives up some box and towing for more power and suspension:
- Polaris General 1000: 100 hp, 12.25 inches of front travel and 13.2 inches of rear, a 600-pound dumping box and 1,500-pound towing.
- Can-Am Commander XT 1000R: 100 hp, 15 inches of travel at each end, a 600-pound box and 2,000-pound towing.
- Polaris Xpedition XP: 114 hp, 14 and 15 inches of travel, 2,000-pound towing, built for long days and overnight trips.
What Is the Best Side-by-Side for a Family?
A six-seat crew model with a full box:
- Polaris Ranger Crew XP 1000: six seats, 1,000-pound box, 2,500-pound towing, 1,600-pound payload.
- Can-Am Defender MAX HD9: six seats and the highest payload here at 1,700 pounds.
- Kawasaki Ridge Crew: six seats with the Ridge’s 116 hp.
- Honda Pioneer 1000-5: five seats in a two-seater’s length, because the rear bench folds into the bed.
Our family side-by-side guide covers seating, safety and storage in more detail.
What Is the Best Sport Side-by-Side?
For the open desert of the Owyhee country and the dunes, power and suspension travel decide it:
| Model | Power | Suspension travel (front / rear) | Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Can-Am Maverick R X RS | 240 hp | 25 / 25.5 in. | 78.1 in. |
| Polaris RZR Pro R Ultimate | 225 hp | 27 / 29 in. (usable) | 74 in. |
| Can-Am Maverick X3 RS Turbo | 135 hp | 22 / 22 in. | 72.4 in. |
| Polaris RZR XP 1000 | 114 hp | 20 / 20 in. (usable) | 64 in. |
| Honda Talon 1000X FOX Live Valve | 999cc twin | 14.6 / 15.1 in. | 64 in. |
The Maverick R and RZR Pro R are the top of the class. The RZR XP 1000 and the 154 hp turbo CFMOTO ZFORCE Z10 are 64 inches wide, so they fit trails the wider machines cannot use. Our sport side-by-sides for desert riding near Boise and where to ride near Ontario guides cover where to take them.
What Is the Best Side-by-Side for Hunting?
A quiet, utility-rated machine with a full box and room for gear: any of the ranch picks above, with a roof, a winch and gun storage added. Our hunting side-by-side guide goes through the setup.
How Do You Choose Between Them?
Start with the job, then the width your trails and trailer allow, then the number of seats. After that, drive the shortlist back to back. Spec sheets cannot tell you how a seat fits or how a machine steers on washboard, and our on-site test track can.
Try Them in Ontario
Edge Performance Sports carries Polaris, Can-Am, Honda, Kawasaki and CFMOTO side-by-sides at 1625 N Oregon St in Ontario, Oregon, about an hour west of Boise on I-84. Browse side-by-sides in stock or call sales at 541-903-5438.