F-150 Raptor Struggles Against Three-Cylinder Side-by-Side in Off-Road Drag Race

Passions run high in this segment, and it's natural for people to make wild claims that are ultimately unfounded. The TRX proved it's not just a pretty boy that can sprint, besting the Ford truck out on an off-road course as well as on the drag strip. That may not be enough to make it a better choice since a truck must also be able to tow and haul, but it surely puts the RAM in the favorite spot.

Well, today, the rivalry between the two is put on hold as the Ford F-150 Raptor takes on an opponent about ten weight classes down. It's a Can-Am Maverick X3 Xrs Turbo RR, a side-by-side whose very competitive power-to-weight ratio is primarily obtained by keeping the latter down rather than boosting the former.

Power comes from a turbocharged Rotax three-cylinder engine in the amount of 195 hp. That's seriously down compared to the Ford's 450 hp obtained from its twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6, but since the Raptor is a proper vehicle with air-con and safety features, it also weighs in at 5,600 lbs (2,540 kg).

To make matters worse for the pickup truck, just before the race, Santa brought the Can-Am a new set of wheels. Its old factory-spec 30-inch tires were replaced by a set of 34-inch Maxxis Bighorns on KMC wheels. The scary-looking side-by-side just got scarier.

With the two ready for the drag race, it was time to leave the garage and get to the track. That meant the Maverick had to hop on a trailer and, ironically enough, be towed on location by the vehicle that was about to become its adversary. Did the $30,000 (starting price) side-by-side show the Raptor any mercy for this little service? Only one way to find out, and it involves a play button and the video below.