2017 Can-Am Defender HD5 vs. Polaris Ranger 570: By the Numbers

Derrek Sigler
by Derrek Sigler
The Utility UTVs for the rest of us


The relationship between Polaris and Can-Am is like trying to describe the relationship between the New York Yankees fans and those of the Boston Red Sox. Yeah, there’s a metric ton of competition, a whole lot of pride and maybe a bit of bad blood. These two powerhouse brands are locked in a horsepower war with their turbo-powered sport UTVs, and that is spilling into the utility scene with the 1,000-class machines.

But there are those that don’t need, nor want the massive power of the flagship models. They also don’t want the price tags that go along with all those ponies. How do the two companies handle this segment? Can-Am recently released the Defender HD5 to go up against the Polaris Ranger 570. Here we go again! Let’s see how these two mid-sized machines match up by the numbers.

2017 Can-Am Defender HD52017 Polaris Ranger 570
Price$9,999$10,299
EngineRotax 427 cc single cylinder, liquid cooled567cc 4-Stroke Single Cylinder DOHC
Horsepower3844
Driveline/Differential2WD / 4WD with Visco-Lok auto-locking front differentialOn-Demand True AWD/2WD/ VersaTrac Turf Mode
TransmissionCVT, P / R / N / H / L, standard engine brakingAutomatic PVT H/L/N/R/P; Shaft
Wheelbase83 in79 in
Overall Dimensions (LxWxH)120 x 62 x 75.5 in114 x 60 x 74 in
Weight1,286 lbs dry1,140 lbs dry
Front Tires25 x 8 x 12 Maxxis M923J25 x 8-12; 489
Rear Tires25 x 10 x 12 Maxxis M923J25 x 10-12; 489
Ground Clearance10.5 in10.5 in
Fuel Capacity10.6 gal9.0 gal
Front SuspensionDouble A-arm / 10 in.MacPherson Strut / 9 in.
Rear SuspensionTTA-HD with external sway bar / 10 in.Dual A-Arm, IRS / 10.0 in.
Front /Rear BrakesDual 220mm disc/ Single 220mm disc.4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc with Dual-Bore Front Calipers
Bed/Rack Capacity600 lbs800 lbs
Towing Capacity1,500 lbs1,500 lbs


Singling Out the Power


Both machines run single-cylinder, four-stroke engines for power. The Can-Am Defender HD5 utilizes a 427cc Rotax that puts out a respectable 38 horsepower. This is a new engine for their Side-by-Side lineup and is the smallest powerplant Can-Am has used so far in UTV. It carries the electronic throttle control system and electronic fuel injection over from its two bigger brothers.

Can-Am Defender HD5 Engine

The Polaris Ranger 570 runs on Polaris’ tried and true 567cc ProStar DOHC Single that has powered several machines for Polaris for a little while now. This engine pumps out a decent 44 horsepower and is fed by electronic fuel injection. Like the Can-Am, the Ranger runs a CVT-belt transmission.

ProStar 570 Engine

It is worth noting that the Can-Am Defender HD5 comes standard with electronic hill descent control. This helps when hauling a heavy load down an incline. The Polaris Ranger 570 doesn’t have that option. On the flip side, the Ranger has a turf mode to unlock the rear differential for tighter turning and to take it easy on the lawn.


Classy Chassis


It is safe to say that both of these machines benefit greatly from the development of the UTVs that preceded them. In fact, both machines share a chassis with models that have bigger engines and were available earlier. The HD5 is basically the same as the HD8, just with a smaller motor. There are subtle differences, of course. The HD5 is .5 inches shorter height-wise than the HD8/HD10. That’s because it runs on 25-inch Maxxis M924 tires as opposed to the 26 inchers the other machines run.

Can-Am Defender HD5 Action

The Polaris utilizes a very similar chassis to the Ranger 900, a very popular machine that is still part of the Polaris lineup. When compared to the HD5, the Ranger is two inches narrower at 60 inches, making it a little easier to fit on some trails.

Both the Can-Am HD5 and the Polaris Ranger 570 can tow up to 1,500 pounds. The Ranger box can handle 800 pounds of cargo, while the HD5 box limits out at 600 pounds. The total payload capacity for the Ranger is 1,500 pounds versus the HD5’s 1,200 pounds. This includes cargo, passengers and fuel. Fuel capacity in the Ranger is nine gallons compared to the HD5’s 10.6 gallons.

Polaris Ranger 570 Working

The machines are pretty even all the way around. This includes the price. The Can-Am starts out at $9,999. Learn more about it at your local dealer, or by going to the official website. The Polaris Ranger 570 starts out at $10,299. Stop by your local Polaris dealer to check one out, or go to the Polaris website.

Complete Can-Am Defender HD5 Specs

Complete Polaris Ranger 570 Specs

Derrek Sigler
Derrek Sigler

Derrek's love for all things ATV started when he was a mere 11 years old, growing up on his family farm. His mom gave him and his sister a choice - get a horse, or a three-wheeler. The sister wanted the horse, and Derrek wanted the ATV. Luckily he won out, and was soon burning up the trails on a Yamaha Tri-Moto 200. By the time he was 14, he had saved enough of his own money by working on the farm and in his folks restaurant to buy a new 4-wheeler. That happened the day he and his mom were driving past the dealership and saw 1987 Banshee. His mom had no idea what he was buying, and he never looked back. He's been riding ever since, and been writing professionally for many years. He has ridden all over North America and been behind the controls of just about every machine out there. And yes, he still has his 1987 Yamaha Banshee.

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