The adrenaline rush from opening it up and ripping through trails or across the pavement is one of the most exhilarating parts of getting behind the wheel of a side-by-side.
And while there are some lighting fast ATVs out there, most can’t compare to the fastest side-by-sides in terms of top-end speed.
The fastest side-by-side options are going to be your pure sport models, but you may be surprised at just how fast some of today’s utility models can go.
The list of fastest side-by-sides is going to look a lot different next year with the announcement of the fastest sport side-by-side ever and the fastest utility side-by-side ever both set to debut in 2024.
But until then, here are the four fastest sport side-by-sides, followed by the four fastest utility side-by-sides and their top speeds.
Fastest Sport Side-By-Sides
#1 – Polaris RZR Pro R
The Polaris RZR Pro R is the cream of the crop when it comes to the fastest side-by-sides.
This model is in a class of its own with its four-cylinder, 1,997cc engine, which offers a whopping power output of 225 HP.
The RZR Pro R can hit a top speed of 90 mph, with the only other model that can match that top speed in stock form being the Polaris RZR Pro XP.
But the insane power and acceleration of the RZR Pro R means it can get there a good bit quicker.
Not only is it the fastest of the Polaris RZR 1000 models, but it’s the fastest overall side-by-side in the industry right now.
#2 – Can Am Maverick X3
The Can Am Maverick X3 is the most popular and sporty of the line of Mavericks, and is made up of three main sub-models:
- Can Am Maverick Turbo
- Can Am Maverick Turbo R
- Can Am Maverick Turbo RR
Each can hit a top speed of between 86 and 89 mph, making them slightly slower than RZR Pro models above.
Each of these models is powered by a 900cc turbo-charged triple-cylinder engine, but the Maverick Turbo RR offers the most power and acceleration with its massive 200 HP output.
It’s not by much, but the Maverick Turbo RR makes for the quickest of the Can Am Mavericks.
#3 – Yamaha YXZ 1000
The Yamaha YXZ 1000 is Yamaha’s fastest pure sport side-by-side, available in three trim levels for 2024.
This model is powered by a 998cc triple-cylinder engine with a max output of around 105 HP.
In stock form, the Yamaha YXZ 1000 can hit a top speed of 80 mph.
But if you have your ECU tuned to bypass the speed limiter, the stock gearing will enable this model to top 100 mph.
The YXZ 1000 is unique in that it uses a five-speed direct drive transmission rather than a belt-driven CVT, making it a manually shifted machine instead of automatic like most other sport models.
#4 – CFMoto ZForce 950
The CFMoto ZForce 950 has come a long way in recent years, getting a much needed power boost recently which enables it to compete with some of the best sport side-by-sides.
This model is powered by a 963cc twin-cylinder engine with a max power output of around 90 HP.
The latest increase in power is focused more in the upper RPM ranges, which gives it even more top-end speed.
The ZForce 950 tops out at 72 mph, with the throttle response being excellent in the mid to upper RPM ranges.
Other Notable Sport Side-By-Sides Top Speeds
| Model | Top Speed |
| Polaris RZR Pro R | 90 mph |
| Can Am Maverick X3 | 89 mph |
| Yamaha YXZ 1000 | 80 mph |
| CFMoto ZForce 950 | 72 mph |
| Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 | 70 mph |
| Polaris General 1000 | 70 mph |
| Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000 | 70 mph |
Fastest Utility Side-By-Sides
While the class of utility side-by-sides are known more for their low-end power and working ability, most of the best options also offer some pretty impressive recreational appeal as well.
They’re not quite on par with the fastest sport side-by-sides, but they aren’t all that far off from some of them in terms of top speed.
#1 – Honda Pioneer 1000
Most of the Honda Pioneer models are known for being some of the slowest in the industry, but also some of the most off-road capable and reliable.
But not the Honda Pioneer 1000, which is the biggest, most powerful of the Pioneer line.
This model is powered by a 999cc twin-cylinder engine with a max power output of 72 HP, which translates to excellent low-end torque and good initial acceleration.
And the Pioneer 1000 can get moving pretty good, able to hit a top speed of between 65 and 67 mph depending upon the number of riders and terrain.
That puts it just a hair above the rest of the utility models in terms of top-end speed.
#2 – Can Am Defender HD10
A review of the Can Am Defenders shows the HD10 to be the most powerful of the ever-popular Defender models, and many of them come with a number of the most popular Can Am Defender accessories.
This model features Can Am’s top-of-the-line 976cc V-Twin HD10 engine, which gets the pull of around 82 ponies.
It can hit a top speed of around 66 mph, and is able to get there slightly faster than the other Defender models with the best overall torque and acceleration of the line.
There’s an electronic speed limiter that caps Can Am Defenders’ top speeds, but they can be made faster with some modifications.
Check out this comparison of the top fourteen differences between the CFMoto UForce 1000 vs Can Am Defender to how it stacks up with the next model on this list.
#3 – CFMoto UForce 1000
The CFMoto UForce 1000 is a bit tricky when it comes to this list as many owners will claim that it can outrun any of the other utility side-by-sides in the industry based on the installed speedometers.
But one of the common problems with the UForce 1000 is the speedometer reading inaccurately.
Many new models come with factory tire circumference set to the wrong size, which inflates the speed reading of the speedometer and needs to be recalibrated to display accurately.
So while many will claim that they can hit 75 mph in their UForce 1000, the more accurate top speed of this model is 65 mph.
Either way, a review of the UForce 1000 shows why it makes for one of the best UTVs for the money these days.
#4 – Polaris Ranger XP 1000
The Polaris Ranger XP 1000 is the most powerful and fastest in the line of Rangers.
Equipped with a 999cc V-Twin engine with a max power output of around 82 HP, it can reach a top speed of 65 mph.
This puts it right in the same range with the rest of the fastest utility side-by-sides, which are all within a mph or two of each other in stock form.
Final Word
If you’re looking for the fastest side-by-side in terms of top-end speed, you’re going to want to go with one of the pure sport models.
But if you want the best of both worlds in terms of top-end speed and working ability, consider one of the utility rec models.
