The Can-Am Outlander 700 is built to win the value shopper’s math. For $8,999 it brings 50 horsepower, standard Tri-Mode power steering and a strong tow rating, a combination that undercuts several rivals on price while beating them on power. It carries Can-Am’s Rotax engine pedigree and a sportier flavor than the typical work quad. Here is what the Outlander does well, where it asks for a compromise, and who should buy it. (New to spec sheets? Our guide on how to read ATV & UTV specs covers which numbers matter.)
First, the name. The Outlander 700 is actually powered by a 650cc Rotax single, not a 700cc engine. Can-Am uses class-based model names, so the number on the fender is a positioning label more than a displacement. What matters is the output: about 50 horsepower, which is genuinely strong for the price and beats a Polaris Sportsman 570 (44 hp), a Yamaha Kodiak 700 (47 hp) and a Honda Foreman 520 (32 hp).
The Rotax single pulls hard and gives the Outlander a lively, sporty character that sets it apart from more sedate work quads. It runs through a CVT automatic, so there is nothing to shift. Being a single rather than a V-twin, it is a touch buzzier than Can-Am’s larger twins, but for the power and the price, that trade is easy to accept.
Features: standard DPS and Visco-Lok
The Outlander’s value case is not just about power. It comes with Can-Am’s Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering as standard, which lets you dial the assist between three levels depending on speed and terrain. Getting power steering without stepping up a trim is a real advantage over the base Sportsman 570, which skips it. Traction comes from the Visco-Lok QE front differential, an automatic system that sends power to the wheel with grip without you reaching for a manual lock. Together they make the Outlander easy to steer and sure-footed, two things you feel every time you ride it.
Drivetrain and ride: 2WD/4WD and a sporty feel
Drive is selectable between 2WD and 4WD, and the Visco-Lok front diff handles the automatic locking when the going gets slick. Ground clearance of 11 inches is competitive for the class, enough for typical trail and property obstacles. The Outlander rides with a firmer, sportier feel than some of its rivals, which enthusiasts tend to like and which makes it fun on the trail, though buyers after the plushest low-speed work ride may prefer something softer. A generous 5.4-gallon tank gives it good range for long days.
Work capability: a strong tow rating
For work the Outlander punches above its price. Its 1,650 lb tow rating is one of the best in the mid-size class, comfortably ahead of a Sportsman 570 (1,225 lb) or Kodiak 700 (1,322 lb), so it pulls a loaded trailer or implement with margin. The racks take the usual accessories, and the strong low-end torque of the Rotax single suits loaded hauling and hill work. It is a single-rider machine, so if you need to bring a passenger, Can-Am’s two-up Outlander MAX 700 adds a second seat.
Who it’s for
The Outlander 700 is the right pick if you want strong power, standard power steering and a big tow rating without paying big-bore money. It suits riders who like a sportier, livelier quad that still works hard, and value shoppers who want more capability per dollar than the mainstream names offer at this price. Can-Am’s Rotax engine and DPS give it a genuinely premium feel for the cost.
It is not the pick if you want the smoothest V-twin refinement, since this is a single, or the plushest, most relaxed work ride, where a softer-tuned rival fits better. And as always with a utility quad, it seats one.
How it compares
At $8,999 the Outlander 700 is one of the strongest value plays in the utility ATV class. Three rivals to weigh:
- Yamaha Kodiak 700 EPS, $9,699. Costs more and makes a little less power (47 hp), but answers with Yamaha’s Ultramatic durability and reliability reputation. Power and price versus proven longevity. Compare them →
- Polaris Sportsman 570, $7,499. Cheaper and the best-selling utility quad around, but it makes less power (44 hp) and its base trim skips the power steering the Outlander includes. Compare them →
- Suzuki KingQuad 750AXi, $9,749. Similar power (48 hp) and standard steering, with a reputation for strong low-end torque, though it costs more. Compare them →
Also worth a look: the Honda FourTrax Foreman 520 ($7,499) trades power for Honda’s durability, and the Arctic Cat Alterra 700 EPS ($9,699) matches the Outlander’s sporty streak with a 52 hp engine.
Where it sits in the Can-Am lineup
Can-Am’s Outlander range is deep. Below the 700, the Outlander 500 ($7,199) is the smaller, cheaper entry with the same DPS and Visco-Lok features. Above it, the V-twin Outlander 850 ($10,799) and the flagship Outlander 1000R XT ($12,999) step up to serious big-bore power. If you regularly carry a passenger, the two-up Outlander MAX 700 ($10,299) adds a second seat on the same platform.
Price and value: is it worth it?
At $8,999 the Outlander 700 is priced to move, and on paper it is one of the best value buys in the class. You get more power than most rivals at the price, standard Tri-Mode DPS that several charge extra for, and a class-leading tow rating, all wrapped in Can-Am’s Rotax engineering. The main trade is the single-cylinder engine’s slightly buzzier character next to a twin, and a CVT belt where Honda would give you a beltless automatic.
So is it worth it? For the buyer who wants power, features and towing capability per dollar, absolutely. The Outlander 700 delivers a premium feel and strong numbers at a mid-pack price, which is a hard combination to beat. If you specifically want the smoothest engine or the longest-proven belt-free driveline, look at a twin or a Honda, but for value and performance together the Outlander makes a compelling case.
Pros and cons
The good: a strong 50 hp Rotax single, standard Tri-Mode power steering, a class-leading 1,650 lb tow rating, the automatic Visco-Lok front differential, and a sporty, lively character at a competitive price.
The catch: a single-cylinder engine that is buzzier than a twin, a firmer ride that trades some low-speed plushness for sportiness, a CVT belt rather than a beltless automatic, and single-rider seating.
The verdict
The 2025 Can-Am Outlander 700 is one of the smartest value buys in the utility ATV world. It hands you more power, standard power steering and a bigger tow rating than most rivals at the price, with the sporty Rotax character that makes Can-Am’s quads fun to ride. You give up a little refinement to a V-twin and lean on a CVT belt, but for the money the overall package is hard to argue with. If you want strong capability and premium features without a big-bore price, put the Outlander 700 near the top of your list. Just note the single-cylinder feel, and decide whether you would rather step up to a twin.
Want to see it head to head with something specific? Drop it into the side-by-side comparison tool, or browse the full database to filter by power, tow rating and price.
