People often ask, “Which one did you like the most?” While the answer is highly subjective, it goes without saying that the choice can vary depending on driving style and personal preferences. That being said, here are the five snowmobiles that particularly caught my attention at the last Snowshoot in Montana in February 2023. I based my selection on performance, combined with handling and comfort. And this, without making a single change to the snowmobiles. As you know, the possibilities for adjustments are vast and can make a big difference between liking or not. If you don’t find a snowmobile in this top 5, it doesn’t mean that it’s not a good sled, far from it. Everything is based on short-term tests that we carried out during our week. All were done on surfaced trails under relatively normal conditions for the season.
Number 1: Renegade XRS 900 ACE Turbo R Smart Shox
This snowmobile has evolved for the better in 2024 with the Gen 5 chassis. The biggest improvement is undoubtedly the much more efficient lighting, which facilitates night driving. What sets it apart from the competition is certainly the comfort of the Smart-Shox electronic suspension. Its performance puts it at the top of the list on this point, not to mention its very simple adjustment to perform with control buttons. It simply swallows bumps. The steering requires a bit of shoulder effort for low-speed maneuvers, as it does not have power steering. The performance of the 900 ACE Turbo R four-stroke 900 cc engine is very respectable, with an excellent weight/power ratio. The only thing missing is power steering…
And when it comes to driver interaction, the 10.25-inch screen is very user-friendly and interactive. It’s easy to pair your smartphone with it to access all its applications.
Number 2: Thundercat ZR 9000 ATAC ES EPS!
Like it or not, this snowmobile performs on almost all fronts. The performance of the 998 turbo remains to this day among the highest in the industry. Even if it is very difficult to differentiate it from the turbo two-strokes of the competition. And without a doubt, it is the undisputed master of four-strokes. It offers a very linear and high-performing power of over 200 horsepower
This snowmobile equipped with the ATAC suspension offers a very good ratio between sporty driving and comfort. The addition of power steering is simply a little gem for this snowmobile. The hardness felt in the shoulders with a heavier four-stroke snowmobile simply does not exist. You only need two fingers to manipulate the handlebars. And the last aspect that allows it to sit at the top, stability in turns, no ski lift; it’s nailed to the ground at all times. The only thing missing is a new interactive screen…
Number 3: Polaris Patriot Boost INDY VR1 137
Although it made a splash last year, it remains among the best in 2024. In terms of design, it must be admitted, this snowmobile certainly ranks first or close to it… Its aggressive look mixed with very modern front lights turn heads. Although we are always looking for better cold calibration, it remains that this snowmobile is very high-performing and provides an excellent weight/power ratio. The turbocharged Patriot 850 offers remarkable road holding. The suspension delivers good performance in very bumpy conditions. You will need to make some modifications to achieve a good level of comfort at low speed. It’s impossible not to mention the 7S touchscreen with Ride Command technology, which is extremely user-friendly and easy to use.
Number 4: Yamaha Sidewinder SRX LE EPS
The simple reason why this snowmobile isn’t flirting with the top spot alongside the Thundercat is its more limited basic equipment. The absence of a windshield and handguards will lead to an additional expense on top of the already high price.
The power steering does an excellent job making us forget the weight of the snowmobile. The skis remain welded to the ground, offering excellent performance in turns. The 998 Turbo engine is the most efficient in the industry. It does this with remarkable smoothness and unbeatable reliability.
Number 5: Ski-Doo MXZ X-RS 850 Turbo R with Competition Package
You can’t miss this speedster, with its new turbocharged two-stroke 850 cc engine. During our tests, the 850 Turbo R offered excellent mid-range performance, though takeoffs and low-end recoveries showed some slight hesitations due to air shortage at 7000 feet altitude, which particularly affects two-stroke snowmobiles. The competition package comes with reinforcements at the footrests and suspension rails, usually reserved for the snowcross model; they add an additional level of reliability. At the back, we find the rMotion X suspension and at the front the RAS X, well known for a few seasons, with KYB Pro 40 shocks. We hope to see Smart-Shox in the near future…
Of course, this list could be reworked in many ways, depending on your tastes and the desired result. Without a doubt, these are all excellent snowmobiles with slightly different performances and manners. Some enthusiasts have a preference for four-stroke models, heavier but very reliable in the long term, others prefer two-stroke snowmobiles for their lightness and maneuverability, etc. We were lucky enough to be able to compare them on the same trail one after the other and we got substantially the same results. We hope that these few lines will help or confirm your choice for the next season.
