bit of everything— and doing it aggressively— the ZR is a compelling choice. It’ s a sled that makes you want to find someone ahead of you and chase them down.
SKI-DOO MXZ X-RS COMPETITION 850 TURBO R 137
If the Arctic Cat is the instigator, the Ski-Doo is the high-speed missile.
The MXZ X-RS Competition 850 Turbo R 137 delivers an entirely different kind of performance. Its turbocharged engine doesn’ t hit with a dramatic wallop. Instead, it produces an almost seamless stream of power that just keeps building. There is no obvious turbo lag, no sudden transition into the powerband, and no point where the engine seems to run out of breath. It simply keeps pulling.
Even well at higher speeds, the Ski-Doo continues to accelerate with the kind of authority that makes it feel more like a lake racing machine than a conventional trail sled. The power delivery is remarkably linear, which makes an engine with this much output surprisingly manageable and controllable.
That’ s an important distinction. This is a brutally fast snowmobile, and despite its heft, it’ s not difficult to ride because of the way the power arrives. A rider can roll into the power progressively and get exactly the response expected.
The Competition package is what makes this version of the MXZ particularly interesting. The turbo is designed to deliver increased performance at lower elevations— compared to the same displacement machine without boost— even where naturally aspirated engines have plenty of oxygen available but still can’ t match the output of forced induction. The result is a sled that can turn a long, open trail into a legitimate high-speed playground.
The X-RS suspension package matches that mission. Not only does the power delivery make the Ski-Doo manageable and controllable, the suspension does as well. Like the Cat, the Ski-Doo is firmly calibrated, but its suspension feels particularly composed when the terrain gets ugly. Chatter bumps can be rough, but once the trail
turns into a series of larger moguls and uneven sections, the suspension shines. It takes the abuse, recovers quickly, and resists bottoming out.
That doesn’ t mean the MXZ is perfect in every situation. In tighter, more technical terrain, the sled can feel heavier and less playful than the Arctic Cat. The aggressive clutch calibration also gives the sled a somewhat loaded, tractor-like feel compared with a high-revving 2-stroke. You have to load the engine to get the most out of it. But once the trail opens up, that characteristic becomes an advantage.
The Gen 5 chassis is refined and comfortable, with a premium feel that stands out immediately. The rider can move around easily, and the floorboards provide excellent traction when you’ re standing up and attacking rough terrain. The redesigned seat is flatter from front to back, slightly wider through the middle and rear, and uses firmer foam. It provides a good platform without making it difficult to move around. No sacrifice on comfort here.
Our one ergonomic complaint was the handlebar height. For riders who don’ t spend a lot of time sitting down, the bar could be slightly higher, which would reduce fatigue while standing during aggressive riding.
Cornering is strong too. On icy morning trails, the skis could feel a little nervous initially, but as the surface softened, the MXZ settled in. Ski lift was minimal, and
SNOWGOER. COM | NOVEMBER 2026 15