Polaris vs Can-Am Dune Buggy in Dubai: Which Should You Book? (2026)
Almost every guest who messages us asks the same question before they book: Polaris vs Can-Am – which dune buggy is better in Dubai? Both are serious off-road machines, both drive the same red dunes, and both come with the same guide, helmet and safety briefing. They feel very different behind the wheel, though, and they are priced differently, so it is worth picking the right one before you arrive.
We run self-drive Polaris RZR and Can-Am Maverick rides in the red dunes outside Dubai every day. This guide puts the two brands side by side – power, handling on soft sand, comfort, safety and real 2026 prices – and then tells you which one our guides would book for your group. No brochure talk, just what we see on the sand.
Quick answer: choose a Polaris RZR if it is your first time on sand, you are riding with family, or you want the best value – rides start at AED 299 for 30 minutes. Choose a Can-Am Maverick if you have driven a buggy before and want more power, a turbo pull up big dunes and a more planted, sporty feel – rides start at AED 499 for 30 minutes. Not sure? Send us your group size and experience on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly which one suits you.
In this guide
- Polaris vs Can-Am at a glance
- Who makes them? A short history
- The models you can drive in Dubai
- Power and engine: RZR vs Maverick
- Handling on soft sand and big dunes
- Comfort, seating and passengers
- Which is better for beginners?
- Polaris vs Can-Am prices in Dubai (2026)
- Which buggy for your group? Real examples
- Safety: is one safer than the other?
- Best time of day for each buggy
- Booking tips from our guides
- Frequently asked questions
Polaris vs Can-Am at a glance
If you only read one part of this guide, read this table. It compares the buggies used on our standard rides – the Polaris RZR 1000 and the Can-Am Maverick – using the manufacturers’ published figures and our own experience in the dunes.
| Feature | Polaris RZR 1000 | Can-Am Maverick |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 999 cc twin-cylinder (ProStar), naturally aspirated | Turbocharged three-cylinder Rotax |
| Power (manufacturer figures) | About 110–114 hp | Up to about 200 hp (Maverick X3), 240 hp (Maverick R) |
| Weight | Lighter – roughly 710 kg dry | Heavier – roughly 870 kg (X3) to 1,020 kg (R) |
| Gearbox | Automatic – no clutch | Automatic – no clutch (dual-clutch on the Maverick R) |
| Feel on the dunes | Light, nimble, predictable | Low, planted, very strong on climbs |
| Learning curve | Very easy – most guests relax by the second dune | Easy to drive, but the power needs respect |
| Best for | First-timers, families, couples on a budget | Confident drivers, thrill seekers, repeat riders |
| Price with us (30 min, 2-seater) | AED 299 per buggy | AED 549 per buggy |
In one sentence: the Polaris is the friendlier, better-value buggy; the Can-Am is the faster, more powerful one. Neither is “bad” – they simply suit different people.
Who makes them? A short history
Polaris is an American company from Minnesota that has built off-road vehicles for decades. Its RZR (pronounced “razor”) range, launched in 2007, created the sport side-by-side category – a light, open, two- or four-seat buggy built for trails and dunes rather than farm work. Today the RZR is one of the most common buggies in the UAE desert, used by tour operators and private owners because it is tough, simple and copes well with heat and sand.
Can-Am is the off-road brand of BRP, the Canadian company behind Ski-Doo and Sea-Doo. Its Maverick range arrived later but changed the market with turbocharged Rotax engines. The Maverick X3, launched in 2017, became the reference buggy for dune drivers who want maximum power, and the newer Maverick R raised the bar again with a 240-horsepower engine – among the most powerful production side-by-sides you can buy.
So when people search “RZR vs Maverick”, they are really comparing two philosophies: Polaris built its name on light, easy, reliable performance; Can-Am built its name on raw power and technology.
The models you can drive in Dubai
“Polaris” and “Can-Am” are brand names, not single vehicles. These are the models our guests drive:
Polaris RZR 1000 – our most popular buggy
This is the buggy on our 30-minute and 1-hour Polaris rides, in 2-seater and 4-seater versions. It has a 999 cc twin-cylinder engine with roughly 110–114 horsepower, a fully automatic gearbox and long-travel suspension. It has plenty of power to climb the red dunes, yet it is smooth and predictable enough that a first-time driver feels in control within minutes. Our fleet includes new 2026 model buggies.
Polaris RZR Pro R – the Polaris flagship
For experienced drivers we also run a Stage 4 RZR Pro R tour. The Pro R uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine rated at up to about 225 horsepower, a wider stance and much longer suspension travel. It is a completely different level of performance from the standard RZR.
Can-Am Maverick X3 – the classic dune machine
The Maverick X3 is the buggy that made Can-Am famous in the desert: a turbocharged three-cylinder Rotax engine, long-travel suspension and a low, wide stance that feels planted on soft sand. Like the RZR it is fully automatic – press the accelerator and steer. It is the buggy used on our standard Can-Am couple and family rides.
Can-Am Maverick R X RS – the newest flagship
The Maverick R has a 999 cc turbocharged engine rated at 240 horsepower, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and, on the X RS version, semi-active suspension that adjusts itself many times a second. In the dunes that means stronger pulls up steep faces and a calmer ride over rough sand. It is our top Can-Am experience.
Power and engine: RZR vs Maverick
On paper this is the clearest difference. The standard Polaris RZR 1000 produces about 110–114 horsepower from a non-turbo twin. A Can-Am Maverick X3 produces up to about 200 horsepower from a turbo triple, and the Maverick R reaches 240 horsepower.
What does that mean on the sand?
- Polaris RZR: the power comes in smoothly and predictably. Press the pedal and the buggy pulls steadily – there is no sudden surge. For a first-time driver this is a big advantage, because you can feel exactly what the buggy will do.
- Can-Am Maverick: the turbo adds a strong push in the middle of the rev range. On a long climb the Maverick keeps pulling where a smaller engine starts to work hard. It feels fast, and it rewards a driver who is smooth with the throttle.
One important point: on a guided ride the guide sets the pace for the whole group. You will not be racing at top speed, so the extra horsepower of a Can-Am is felt mainly on climbs and in how effortless the buggy feels – not in a higher top speed.
Handling on soft sand and big dunes
The red dunes off the Dubai–Hatta Road have soft, fine sand and steep faces, which is where the two brands behave differently.
The Polaris RZR is lighter – by roughly 150 to 300 kg depending on the model it is compared with. On soft sand that matters: the RZR floats over the surface instead of digging in, changes direction easily and recovers quickly if you hesitate halfway up a dune. It feels agile and playful, a little like a go-kart on sand.
The Can-Am Maverick sits lower and feels heavier and more planted. It tracks straight at speed, soaks up bumps with its long suspension, and uses its turbo to pull up dune faces with very little effort. Experienced drivers love how stable it feels when the sand gets rough. The flip side is that it is less forgiving if you are clumsy with the accelerator – the power arrives quickly.
Our guides sum it up like this: the Polaris makes an average driver feel good; the Can-Am makes a good driver feel great.
Comfort, seating and passengers
Both brands offer 2-seater and 4-seater versions with roll cages, harness-style seat belts and supportive bucket seats. A few practical differences:
- Ride comfort: the Can-Am’s long-travel suspension and heavier body give a slightly smoother ride over rough sand, which passengers notice most.
- Driving position: you sit lower in a Can-Am, which feels sporty. The RZR has a more upright, natural position that many first-timers find reassuring.
- 4-seaters: the 4-seat RZR and the Can-Am Maverick MAX both keep a family together in one buggy. The Polaris 4-seater is the more relaxed, family-friendly choice; the Can-Am 4-seater is the choice for a group of adults who want thrills.
Still deciding on seats as well as brand? Read our 2-seater vs 4-seater dune buggy guide.
Which is better for beginners?
For most beginners, the Polaris RZR is the better choice. Most of our guests have never driven on sand before, and the RZR’s light weight and smooth power let them relax and enjoy the dunes instead of concentrating hard on the pedal. You will have more fun in a buggy you feel in control of.
That said, a Can-Am is not off-limits for beginners. It is fully automatic, the guide briefs you before you start and leads the convoy the whole time, and plenty of first-timers – especially confident road drivers – choose the Can-Am and love it. Our honest advice: if you are nervous, start with a Polaris; if you are excited and confident, a Can-Am is fine.
No off-road licence is needed for a guided ride, but there are age rules for drivers. See our guides on driving licence rules and the age limit for dune buggies in Dubai.
Polaris vs Can-Am prices in Dubai (2026)
All our prices are per buggy, not per person, and include the guide, helmet, fuel and safety briefing. You pay on the spot – no online prepayment needed.
| Ride | Polaris RZR | Can-Am Maverick |
|---|---|---|
| 30 min – 1 seater | AED 299 | AED 499 |
| 30 min – 2 seater | AED 299 | AED 549 |
| 30 min – 4 seater | AED 499 | AED 799 |
| 60 min – 1 seater | AED 449 | AED 749 |
| 60 min – 2 seater | AED 499 | AED 899 |
| 60 min – 4 seater | AED 599 | AED 1,099 |
Cost per person: a 30-minute Polaris 2-seater shared by a couple is about AED 150 each, and a 30-minute Polaris 4-seater shared by four is about AED 125 each. The same 4-seater ride in a Can-Am works out at about AED 200 each. Hotel pickup and drop-off can be added for AED 300 per vehicle.
Why is a Can-Am more expensive? It costs considerably more to buy, uses more fuel and needs more maintenance – the price difference reflects the machine, not just the brand name. See every package on our dune buggy Dubai price list.
Ready to ride? Book a Polaris RZR from AED 299 or a Can-Am from AED 499 on WhatsApp. Helmet, fuel and guide included · Pay on spot · Free cancellation.
Which buggy for your group? Real examples
- Couple on their first desert trip: Polaris RZR 2-seater, 30 minutes (AED 299). Relaxed, fun and the best value in Dubai.
- Family with two children: Polaris RZR 4-seater with a parent driving (from AED 499). Calm, stable and everyone rides together.
- Two friends who have driven buggies before: Can-Am 2-seater, 1 hour (AED 899). You will feel every bit of the turbo.
- Solo traveller who wants an adrenaline rush: Can-Am 1-seater, 30 minutes (AED 499).
- Group of four adults: Can-Am 4-seater if you want thrills, Polaris 4-seater if you want to keep the budget down and take turns driving.
- Experienced off-roader: ask about the Can-Am Maverick R X RS or the Stage 4 Polaris RZR Pro R tour.
Safety: is one safer than the other?
Both brands are built with full roll cages, harness-style seat belts and strong safety records when driven sensibly. On our rides the bigger safety factors are the same for both:
- a proper safety briefing and a short practice before you start;
- a professional guide leading the convoy and choosing a route that matches your group;
- helmets for everyone on board, and seat belts fastened at all times;
- well-maintained buggies, checked before every ride.
Because the Polaris is lighter and less powerful, it gives a beginner more margin for error. The Can-Am is just as safe in calm hands, but its power means you should follow the guide’s line and speed. Whatever you choose, wear closed shoes and comfortable clothes – see what to wear for a dune buggy ride.
Best time of day for each buggy
Both buggies run on our morning dune buggy tours and our evening and night rides. Morning sand is firmer and cooler, which suits beginners in a Polaris. Late afternoon brings the best colours and softer sand, where the Can-Am’s power is a joy. From October to April the weather is comfortable all day; in summer, early morning and evening are best.
All rides take place in the famous red dunes – read where the red dunes are in Dubai for directions, or add hotel pickup and we will collect you.
Booking tips from our guides
- Be honest about experience. Tell us if you have driven on sand before – we will recommend the right buggy and route.
- Take 1 hour if you can. The first 10 minutes are for getting comfortable; a 1-hour ride gives you time to really enjoy either buggy.
- Compare per buggy, not per person. Some sites quote per person and add extras later. Our prices are per buggy with fuel, helmet and guide included.
- Try both. Many repeat guests start with a Polaris and come back for a Can-Am. It is the best way to feel the difference.
- Book on WhatsApp. Send your date, number of people and preferred buggy, and we confirm availability straight away.
Frequently asked questions
Is Can-Am better than Polaris for dune buggy rides in Dubai?
Neither is better for everyone. The Can-Am Maverick is more powerful and feels sportier on big dunes, so experienced drivers often prefer it. The Polaris RZR is lighter, easier to control and cheaper, so it is the better choice for beginners, families and budget-conscious riders.
Which is faster, Polaris RZR or Can-Am Maverick?
The Can-Am Maverick is more powerful – up to about 200 horsepower for the Maverick X3 and 240 horsepower for the Maverick R, compared with about 110–114 horsepower for the standard Polaris RZR 1000. On a guided ride the guide sets the pace, so you feel the difference mostly when climbing dunes.
How much does a Polaris or Can-Am buggy ride cost in Dubai?
With The Dune Buggy Dubai, a 30-minute Polaris RZR ride starts at AED 299 per buggy and a 30-minute Can-Am ride starts at AED 499 per buggy. One-hour rides cost AED 449–599 for Polaris and AED 749–1,099 for Can-Am, depending on seats. Prices include guide, helmet and fuel.
Which buggy is better for first-timers?
Most first-timers enjoy the Polaris RZR more because its smooth power and light weight make it easy to control on soft sand. Confident drivers can still choose a Can-Am, since both buggies are fully automatic and every ride starts with a safety briefing.
Do I need a driving licence to drive a Polaris or Can-Am buggy?
No off-road licence is needed on a guided ride. You receive a safety briefing, follow a professional guide the whole time, and minimum age rules apply for drivers.
Can children ride in a Polaris or Can-Am buggy?
Yes, children can ride as passengers in a 4-seater buggy with an adult driving, wearing a helmet and seat belt. The Polaris 4-seater is usually the more comfortable choice for families.
Are the buggies automatic?
Yes. Both the Polaris RZR and the Can-Am Maverick are fully automatic – there is no clutch and no gears to change. You only use the accelerator, the brake and the steering wheel.
