Can-Am Commander Vs. Polaris General: Which is better?

The Polaris General 1000 and the Can-Am Commander 800 are very similar utility terrain vehicles, somewhere between pure utility and high sports performance. Their versatile functionality is what likely makes them so appealing to many off-road enthusiasts, as you can use each of these vehicles to throttle up for some off-road terrain excitement or haul heavy cargo around the property to get some chores done on the weekend

When trying to choose between the two, however, it's not so easy.

In this guide, we are going to explore the ins and outs of the Polaris General 1000 and the Can-Am Commander so you can make a better buying decision.

Let's dive In!

• Side-By-Side Comparison
• Pros and Cons
• When to Use
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Side-By-Side Comparison

	2022 Can-Am Commander 800	2022 Polaris General 1000
Starting MSRP	$12,299	$16,399
Weight	1,291 pounds	1,422 pounds
Horsepower	92 HP	100 HP
Engine	976cc, V-Twin, liquid-cooled	999cc ProStar 1000 four-stroke, DOHC, twin-cylinder
Towing Capacity	1,500 pounds	1,500 pounds
Tire & Brake	Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 27 x 9/11 x 14; dual 220mm ventilated disc brakes with hydraulic twin-piston calipers	27 x 9-12 & 11-12 CST Clincher tires; four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes
Suspension	Dual A-Arm Suspension	Dual A-Arm Suspension

Pros and Cons

 

Can-Am Commander Pros

One of the biggest selling points Can-Am Commander is its fit and finish. If you sit down in each of these vehicles, the one thing you'll notice when you sit down in the Commander is that it is built much better. It is clear that the team at Can-Am put more work into the craftsmanship of the Commander to make it a premium ride.

From the dashboard to the seats, you'll notice that it has a more expensive look and a more comfortable feel than the Polaris General.

The seats are incredibly comfortable in the Can-Am Commander in the cab is plenty roomy and great for riding with larger groups. The bed storage is pretty ample as well. While it has about half the cab storage of the General, it makes up for it with the dual-level cargo box.

Lastly, you get the Rotax engine, which arguably has more endurance than the Prostar engine found in the General. While both of these UTVs certainly have quality engines, the Commander’s Rotax engine vibrates slightly less than the General’s, creating what might be a more durable UTV overall.

Can-Am Commander Cons

While we do love the Rotax V-Twin engine in the Can-Am, it is pretty loud, and it can heat up the cab much faster than the engine in the Polaris General, which makes for slightly uncomfortable rides on hot days.

We've also noticed issues with the Visco-Lok differential not engaging quickly enough.

Compared to the General, the Commander has higher gearing, which makes it more difficult to get over high obstacles in certain circumstances.

Lastly, the Commander is much harder to perform engine maintenance on, as you have to remove the two plastic panels beneath the passenger seat. This can be a lot of work for a simple oil change.

Polaris General Pros

The Polaris General comes out on top in terms of specs, packing in more power, better suspension travel, and higher ground clearance. It also shines on technical trails with lower gearing and a quality front differential. Whether you're crawling over high boulders, ruts, or logs, the Polaris General can rip through the trail like nobody's business.

You also get a bit more cab storage in the Polaris General, allowing you to haul more cargo, even without the dual-level cargo box.

Compared to the Can-Am Commander, the Polaris General is easier to maintain, as you never have to take it apart to perform simple maintenance tasks, such as changing the oil.

Polaris General Cons

It is worth noting that the Polaris General has a cab that is a bit less comfortable than the Can-Am Commander. Overall, the Commander has better craftsmanship. You almost feel like you're sitting in a toy if you hop in the General after spending time in the Commander.

Let's also not forget the number of recalls that the Polaris General has had compared to the Can-Am Commander. While neither of these UTVs should require a lot of servicing on average, there tend to be more problems with the General than the Commander.

When to Use

Location

The Can-Am Commander is a much better choice for easy rides, as it is more comfortable, provides a bit more room, and rides smoothly over relatively even terrain. It maintains traction pretty well and uses high-quality torsional trailing arms.

On the other hand, if you're getting into more technical terrain, the Polaris General is a better choice, thanks to its low gearing and front differential.

Reliability

While both of these UTVs are relatively reliable and don't require much maintenance, the Polaris General has had many recalls in the past that diminish its overall reliability. With that said, it is much easier to perform routine maintenance than on the Can-Am Commander.

Comfort

The Can-Am Commander comes out on top in terms of comfort, as it provides a roomier cabin and a more luxurious interior. However, note that the engine is pretty close to the cab, so if you can't deal with loud noise and heat, it may not be the ride for you.

Fuel Economy

The Can-Am Commander gets around 11.5 mpg on average, based on our research. On the other hand, Polaris General users say they get around 17.7 mpg on average. If spending less money on fuel is a priority, the Polaris General might be the better choice.

Customizability

The Polaris General is among the most customizable UTVs on the market today. While there are certainly plenty of accessories you can purchase for your Can-Am Commander, most of them are aftermarket. When it comes to overall customizability, the Polaris General is the clear winner.

FAQ

What is the Towing Capacity for the Can-Am Commander?

The towing capacity of the Can-Am Commander depends on the specific model and year of production. Generally, the maximum towing capacity ranges from 1500 to 2000 pounds. It is recommended to consult the manufacturer's specifications or the owner's manual for the exact towing capacity of your specific Can-Am Commander.

Is the Polaris General Customizable?

Conclusion

While picking between these two quality UTVs isn't an easy choice, we have to go with the Polaris General. You truly can't beat the added power and performance, especially if you enjoy driving on more technical trails. Though the Commander is great for smooth, easy trail rides, it just can't match the ability of the Commander.

With that said, the cab in the Commander feels great. The overall design is a lot nicer than that of the General, though it does come with the caveat of heat and noise vibration from the engine, which can be a bit unbearable during hot summers.

Overall, if you're looking for the ride of your life, go for the Polaris General. However, if you plan on sticking to easier trails and can insulate your cab panels to get rid of that obnoxious heat and noise, the Can-Am Commander might be the better choice.