This article will give you an overview of the trail and crossover models for 2026, as well as the main technological innovations introduced in snowmobiles.
2026 Ski-Doo trail and cross-overs
Let’s start by looking at what BR Ski-Doo has to offer:
REV Gen5 platform…
In 2026, all MXZ, RENEGADE, and GRAND-TOURING trail models, as well as the 50/50 crossover range, will switch to the REV Gen5 platform, previously reserved for high-end versions. Among the advantages are increased rigidity, reduced road noise and vibration, and improved ergonomics. In terms of design, modern LED lighting is more efficient and stylish, while redesigned side panels provide easier access to the engine compartment, making maintenance quicker and easier.
As in the past, this allows even more affordable models (such as the Neo, Sport, and some Expedition models) to benefit from the technological refinement of the higher ranges, while reducing production costs!
RAS RX suspensions on the Renegade XRS and Renegade X…
The Renegade (high-end versions) now feature RAS RX front suspension, which is wider and more stable when cornering at high speeds, ideal for trail performance enthusiasts. On certain models, the driver can choose between RAS X (narrower, more agile) and RAS RX (wider, more stable). However, the Pilot X skis have been retained. This offer is only available during spring fever…
Expedition with GEN 5 chassis…
The Expedition line is now entering the GEN5 era! Several interesting features are on the menu:
- Addition of a fourth engine mount for better pulley parallelism, reduced vibration, and increased belt life.
- New uMotion suspension
- New 600mm ultra-high windshield
- New side panel insulation
- Optional 10.25-inch display with Group Ride function.
- High-performance, modern LED headlights
- 135-liter rear cargo box on the SE version.
- Not to mention a phenomenal amount of optional equipment.
This snowmobile is sure to be a hit in Quebec…
Smart-Shox suspension!
For 2026: Smart-Shox suspension is now available on XRS versions. For those who love comfort and extreme performance on bumps, this is the choice for 2026. Usually stiffer and calibrated for extreme performance, this new feature opens up some very interesting possibilities. It is now possible to adjust the suspension according to your preferences and the type of terrain you encounter, all automatically and instantly.
New uMotion rear suspension…
The Expedition Xtreme, SE, and LE feature the all-new uMotion rear suspension. This suspension offers an extra inch of travel, with increased resistance at the bottom of the stroke, limiting the unpleasant effect of bottoming out. Engineers have worked hard to increase comfort both solo and with a full load. This has been achieved by lengthening the front arm, new geometry, and new shock and spring movement ratios. And all this while maintaining excellent handling.
In addition, a new 1.5″ Crosscut track (with or without lugs) reduces noise and vibration while improving traction.
Advanced connectivity and navigation…
High-end trail and hybrid models can be equipped with the new 10.25-inch touchscreen. The screen itself is not new, but it incorporates some very interesting new features:
- Group Mode: allows you to track your friends in real time, even outside of cell coverage. It has a range of 1.6 kilometers, which is a significant safety factor! And if you own a 2023 to 2025 model equipped with the 10.25-inch screen, you can add it to your snowmobile for just a few dollars!
- Integrated trail maps with the ability to save your routes.
- Integration with the Vibe system and the BRP GO! app for more interaction and safety. You can now form a group of users and plan a ride to share with your colleagues. Ride planning is now simplified, and you can modify your itinerary during the trip to add a stop, for example.
Grand Touring Series: improved long-distance comfort!
By 2026, the entire Grand Touring snowmobile lineup will be on the REV Gen5 platform. Powerful LED headlights, redesigned ergonomics to reduce rider and passenger fatigue, and optimized suspension for increased stability at high speeds. A tall windshield and wider side panels redirect wind to each side, designed for endless days on the trail.
Opening up to electric…
Although we believe that electric motors are not aimed at seasoned snowmobilers, this technology is nonetheless very attractive for ice fishing, for example, or ski resorts, etc. Ski-Doo is expanding its segment with the arrival of a second electric snowmobile to its credit. 2026 marks the arrival of the Expedition Electric! Designed for more hybrid use, capable of towing and handling light powder, it is sure to appeal to outfitter owners or users looking for a zero-emission model. Introduced last year, the Grand Touring Electric, designed for guided tours and quiet trail rides, is back for the new season.
In summary: The 2026 Ski-Doo trail and hybrid models feature the Gen5 platform, redesigned suspensions, cutting-edge connectivity, and continuity in their electric segment.
2026 Polaris – Trail and Crossover
Indy XCR: New Long-Tail Rear Suspension
To improve performance over large bumps, engineers recalibrated the rear suspension to increase its stiffness by 20%. To achieve this, engineers increased the length of the two rear springs and repositioned their contact points on the suspension cradle (rail) in front of the front lever arm attachment. The guide block is located approximately 8 inches further forward than the previous version.
Switchback Assault Boost 146: two new configuration options…
For 2026, Polaris hybrid enthusiasts will be able to choose between two front suspension configurations. The all-new, narrower Escape front suspension (adjustable from 39 to 41 inches), manufactured with RMK components, allows for greater off-road agility, or the original RACE front suspension, with a wider 42.5-inch track width. Both versions use Walker Evans Racing Velocity shock absorbers.
Titan 2026: more robust, more options!
Three versions are available in the crossover category for 2026, and more engine options!
Titan Adventure Ultimate 155:
With two versions of 20-inch by 155-inch-long tracks, with either 1.8-inch or 1.5-inch lugs, now available with the powerful 850 Patriot or the 4-stroke Prostar S4. It includes a passenger seat, mirrors, a 7S display, and a huge rear cargo box!
Titan Adventure 155:
More affordable, it is available with two engine options, the economical Prostar S4 or the 650 two-cylinder Patriot. Cobra 155 X 20 X 1.5 track. Available standard with passenger seat, H-L-R-N transmission, and rear storage platform.
2026 Arctic Cat – Trails and crossovers
The year 2026 marks a real turning point for Arctic Cat. Freed from its previous corporate structure and now propelled by a new business dynamic, Arctic Cat is reborn for 2026! Acquired last April by investors linked to Argo, the latter are gradually relaunching the company. Production was restarted in August 2025, which meant that no pre-sales were made. Although the company is well aware of this, it is very hopeful for a positive response from fans of the American manufacturer for the new season.
Power steering on a two-stroke…
Announced recently at the Haydays drag race, Arctic Cat is the first to put a two-stroke snowmobile with power steering into production. Two models will be equipped with it for 2026, the EXT Special with the 858 engine and the ZR600 EPS.
The EXT Special: the snowmobile for trails that changes the rules
The standout star of 2026 is the EXT Special, a model that reinvents the trail category. A first in the history of two-stroke snowmobiles, it features electric power steering. This innovation, previously reserved for heavier four-stroke models, radically changes the riding experience: the snowmobile becomes lighter to handle, more precise in corners and, above all, much less tiring on long rides.
Under the hood, the EXT is powered by the powerful 2,858 cc C-TEC, a two-stroke twin-cylinder engine that delivers instant torque and strong thrust, while offering an extremely competitive power-to-weight ratio. Compared to previous generations, this engine benefits from optimized cooling and revised electronic management, ensuring consistent performance even under intense stress.
On the chassis side, the EXT is based on the Catalyst platform, introduced two years ago and now used across almost the entire range. This base is stiffer, lighter (up to 10% lighter than the previous ProCross) and, above all, better balanced thanks to a centralization of mass that makes it easier to drive.
The front suspension features precise and responsive C&A Pro XPT skis. These skis are undoubtedly the favorite of snowcross riders, and engineers have taken it a step further with the addition of 6-inch Woody’s Dolly Runners. This addition is made possible by the introduction of power steering. Without it, the handlebars would be much more difficult to maneuver. A 137-inch Ice Ripper XT track with integrated lugs has been added, perfect for icy conditions.
At the rear, the suspension retains 13.5 inches of travel, configured with FOX 1.5 iQS shocks in the center and FOX 2.0 shocks, all electronically adjustable from the handlebars. Like the rear of the snowmobile, the front suspension benefits from FOX 1.5 ZERO iQS shocks that are also electronically adjustable.
Add to that a Stealth Brake system, which is more progressive and heat-resistant, and a Garmin G8-compatible dashboard offering modern and intuitive navigation.
The EXT is thus a complete trail machine, both sporty and user-friendly. More experienced riders will remember the colors of the 1971 EXT Special!
The ZRs get a makeover!
Alongside the EXT Special, the ZR family gets a makeover for 2026 and continues to embody the purebred DNA of the trail. Performance enthusiasts will find several variations, ranging from accessible models to the most advanced versions designed for aggressive riders.
The flagship engine remains the 2858 cc C-TEC. However, some ZR versions are also available with 600 or 400 cc engines to suit different rider profiles. The ZRs also benefit from the Catalyst platform, which means a more agile, lighter, and above all, more ergonomic snowmobile.
When it comes to suspension, Arctic Cat focuses on diversity:
- IFP for an accessible and versatile configuration.
- Sno Pro (AC5S) for sporty riders, with firmer adjustable shock absorbers.
- ATAC, which allows you to modify the suspension behavior electronically in real time, directly from the handlebars.
The crossover models Riot: the 50/50 Arctic Cat style
For riders who like to mix things up, the Riot line embodies the 50/50 crossover spirit. Also based on the Catalyst platform and available with the 858 cc engine, it combines a more upright riding position with suspension capable of absorbing both the bumps of a fast trail and the irregularities of an off-road excursion.
858 engine: improved exhaust and reduced vibration…
The 858 engine now features an exhaust control system. A push-pull actuator ensures increased precision of the exhaust valves, resulting in smoother exhaust flow over a wider rev range. This results in more consistent power, better low-end performance, and increased efficiency.
With a new engine mount configuration, engineers have reduced vibration. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to try it out at the last Snowshoot, but we hope to test it next winter!
858 engine: new calibration
For the second production season of the 858 engine, the fuel and oil injection systems have been reworked for improved fuel efficiency. The first few miles of the season will quickly reveal how much the new programming will improve the 858 CC.
Lynx 2026 – Trails and Crossover
COMMANDER: Now available in North America…
The 2026 Commander RE is Lynx’s (BRP) crossover crossover snowmobile, designed to perform both on and off the trail, lightweight, with a large track, good comfort, transport/towing capabilities, and lots of onboard technology. This model is new to North America (although it already exists in Europe), and in 2026 it will undergo a major redesign, including the platform, styling, suspension, etc.
Radian² platform: new design, rigidity, comfort, and reduced vibration.
10.25-inch touchscreen with improved connectivity: More modern interface, use of Group Ride (group tracking) without the need for a cell phone or network.
New-generation 4-piston brake caliper: Better braking with a brake lever that can be easily adjusted to your liking.
900 Ace Turbo R engine: Nothing less than a powerful 180-horsepower turbocharged four-stroke three-cylinder engine to propel this speedster.
New arched A-arms: This modification improves and increases ground clearance, making it easier to navigate obstacles. The result is improved handling when used in deep snow.
Two-speed clutch: This allows you to use full power for riding on trails or in deep snow, but also for pulling heavy loads.
Easyride rear suspension: It improves the angle of attack and makes it easier to climb on snow, provides good control when towing heavy loads, and is equipped with reinforced cradles for improved reliability.
Other additions: A heated seat and foldable snow guard have been added, which is very practical in powder snow. This is the “flippable snow flap” mode, so that the snow guard does not get in the way when using reverse. The model is equipped with a 10.25-inch screen with built-in GPS, as well as powerful LED headlights at the front.
New front suspension: LFS-R…
The RAVE RE trail model inherits this new suspension, which has the same characteristics as Ski-Doo’s RAS RX. Are you surprised? The latter improves cornering stability and allows for greater travel. Three points set it apart:
- The lower attachment of the suspension arm to the ski pivot arm is 11 mm higher.
- The upper attachment of the suspension arm to the ski pivot arm is 26 mm higher.
- Engineers have moved the lower attachment point of the shock absorber further out, slightly changing its angle of attack.
850 E-TEC Turbo R on the RAVE RE…
Introduced last year on the special edition RAVE GLS, which was only available for presale, it is now available on the RAVE RE trail snowmobile.
New connectivity features…
These new features not only enhance the user experience, but also provide an interesting safety aspect.
- Group Mode feature: allows you to track your friends in real time, even without a cellular network. The system offers a range of approximately 1.6 kilometers when there is no cellular coverage, which is undoubtedly a significant safety factor! If you own a 2023 to 2025 model equipped with the 10.25-inch screen, you can add it to your snowmobile for a few dollars.
- Integrated trail maps with the ability to save your routes.
- Integration with the Vibe system and the BRP GO! app for more interaction and safety. The 2026 version offers the ability to form a group of users and plan a ride to share with your colleagues. Now simplified, you can modify your itinerary during your trip to add a stop, for example.
