Just last year we had our first impression of the new Defender side-by-side from Can-Am, a utility-recreation UTV that offers both sporting fun and yet can still shoulder the load when it’s time to work. Today, Can-Am has added to the Defender lineup with the addition of the MAX, a six-person version of the UTV.

Available later this year as a 2017 model, Can-Am will now offer the Defender in a six-seater, hailing it will benefit from the improved stability its long, 115.5-inch chassis will provide that is 32.5 inches longer than the standard Defender. The Defender MAX will be offered with the option of two engines: either a 72-horsepower Rotax HD10 or a 50-horsepower Rotax HD8 engine. Can-Am says that both engine options will be mated to its PRO-TORQ Transmission with its exclusive Quick Response System (QRS) that is designed to enhance low-speed riding and smooth shifting.

Can-Am says the Defender MAX will lead the class in towing, hauling and payload (a bump from 1,500 to 1,750 lbs.), but it will increase in weight nearly 300 pounds. Stopping power will be provided by four-corner 220mm disc brakes with hydraulic twin-piston calipers. Can-Am will mount larger 26-inch tires to the MAX compared to the 25s found on the bench-seat Defender. The max ground clearance on the MAX tops out 10 inches, which is 1 inch less than the three-seat Defender. The Defender MAX will still offer double A-arm front suspension and a Torsional A-Arm rear suspension for 10 inches of travel.

A Can-Am-exclusive TTA-HD rear suspension provides optimal comfort, drivability and durability, and has 10 inches (25.4 cm) of travel. The Defender MAX does benefit from more storage (0.7 gallons more) overall. It features six cup holders, five folding front and rear passenger seats, front and rear central armrests, a rear lateral grab bar.

The Defender MAX will use the same four-mode traction system found on the Defender it unveiled last year. There are toggle switches to adjust the front and rear differentials, with the option to run 2×4 open rear differential or 2×4 lockable rear, or 4×4 open rear or 4x4 locked rear diff, with each setting obviously catering to specific terrain conditions.

There will be two trim options offered for the Defender MAX. The DPS being the base level available in three color options (Green, Yellow and Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camo). The MAX XT is the more loaded option, as it will include a 4,500-pound winch, 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires wrapped around 14-inch aluminum wheels, a full hard rook, enhanced seats (including an adjustable driver’s seat), a full skid plate and more. The XT is available in its own unique colors that include Painted Intense Red, Painted Pure Magnesium and the Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camo found on the DPS.