The name 2023 Ski-Doo MXZ XRS 850 has been around for no less than three decades at Ski-Doo, having undergone year after year the technological improvements that we know today. 2023 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the legendary name that was introduced in 1993.
A little history… 1993-1995
Do you remember, in 1993, the arrival of the MXZ and Mach Z? It was a revolution at Ski-Doo, with the introduction of the famous F-2000 chassis, which replaced the PRS (Progessive Reaction System) chassis in second place. The F-chassis, which at the time offered a DSA independent front suspension with 7 inches of travel, was much lighter than its predecessor, made mostly of aluminum. At the time, the MXZ weighed 470 pounds and was powered by the 462.8 cc two-cylinder engine. In 1995, a new 440 CC two-cylinder engine was introduced, a small engine that was very pleasant to ride.
- 1996-1998: New S-2000 chassis, with choice of 583 or 670 CC engines.
- 1999- Arrival of the ZX chassis with the new 600 CC two-cylinder reed valve engine
- 2000- Arrival of the 700 CC two-cylinder engine
- 2002- Arrival of the 800 CC two-cylinder engine
- 2003- Arrival of the REV chassis with advanced position and SC-4 rear suspension
- 2004- Arrival of the SDI semi-direct injection in 600 H.O. CC version
- 2008- Arrival of the REV-XP chassis
- 2009- Arrival of direct injection in the 600 CC version
- 2010- Arrival of direct injection in the 800 CC version
- 2013- Arrival of the REV-XS platform and rMotion rear suspension.
- 2017- Arrival of the Gen4 platform and 850 CC engine…
- 2023- Arrival of the Gen5 chassis
Gen5 chassis
The big new addition at Ski-Doo for the upcoming season is definitely the appearance of the Gen5 chassis. This new chassis could be characterized as an upgrade to the Gen4, which continues to make its mark since 2017. On the MXZ and Renegade side, it’s the front end that acts as the change, the rear end of the chassis remains the same as the 2022 models. As a result, the tunnel and running board are identical.
Gen5 : Side panels and grill
Probably the most striking change on the Gen5 is the amalgamation of the side panels and the hood. The rounded look improves the finish between the parts, and gives a slimmer feel to the top of the snowmobile. In addition, BRP also considered noise reduction by adding additional insulation in the side panel on the clutch side.
Gen5 : Nouvel écran 10,25 pouces tactile
The long-awaited replica of Polaris’ screens is finally coming in 2023. This new 10.25 inch screen is fully configurable and touch-sensitive, Ski-Doo proclaims it as the largest touch screen in the industry. This screen is fully configurable, it is possible to change the display according to your preferences. You will find the usual information such as RPM, speed, temperature, statistics, etc. You will also be able to use the BRP Go application, offering you an advanced connection displaying the trail map with navigation and trip planning. And to enhance your rides, a WIFI and Bluetooth connection to your smartphone is available for music, phone calls and more. You can even share your trip plans with other users.
Gen5 : New handlebar controls
As part of the Gen5 chassis innovations, the new control box has been completely redesigned. All the functionalities are integrated, you will be able to control the 10.25 inch screen directly from it. A small drawback is the size of the control buttons, they require special attention when used while driving, larger buttons would be more appropriate.
Gen5 : New LED headlights
Finally, many Ski-Doo snowmobile enthusiasts will say, no more yellow lights, the Gen5 chassis will come with LED lights as standard. Much brighter, they will greatly improve night vision… But don’t forget, it’s only on models equipped with the Gen5 chassis…
Suspension Smart Shox
Introduced last year, the semi-active suspension is back in full force for 2023 with no changes announced. With a refresh rate of up to 50 times per second directed by SDCI, this suspension offers better control over weight transfer, cornering roll, damping, etc. To achieve this, several factors are taken into account such as shock absorber position, compression ratio, vehicle speed, rpm gradient, throttle position and steering angle.
Our test
As you know, our time is limited with each of the snowmobiles during our stay in West Yellowstone. We still put a lot of miles on the 2023 Ski-Doo MXZ XRS 850, and from the looks of it, we can tell you that it will be a big hit in 2023. The weight distribution according to the rider’s position is almost perfect, this snowmobile gives us a rather impressive impression of lightness. For my part, it was the first time I tried the Smart-Shox semi-active suspension in a 129-inch MZX XRS with the 850 engine, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how stable the suspension was in the bumps.
Having tested it all season with the Mach Z 2022, I was eager to compare it with a shorter and especially lighter version. Without a doubt, this suspension fits perfectly on a different vehicle like the MXZ. We encountered a series of bumps where I was able to let my crazy loose a bit, and it’s literally a little gem on this kind of terrain. Very maneuverable, you quickly feel confident with the bike. The semi-active suspension does a great job when pushing the car on rough surfaces. You never reach the limit of the suspension without sacrificing comfort. It remains supple at moderate speeds and instantly stiffens up if it senses a quick dip or slackening of the shocks.
In fast turns, the front end remains stable without sagging on the outside. However, you still have to counterbalance to avoid inner ski lift, which is more common with two-stroke models, due to the lower weight of the engine compartment. The rMotion X with the Smart-Shox system does an excellent job with this shorter track, the skis stay grounded during acceleration and also when exiting a turn.
It’s impossible not to mention the new 10.25-inch dial. It’s simply a little jewel. The engineers have brought us a complete infotainment system, but above all, a very efficient one. Efficient here means functional at all times, the size of the information allows for easy reading while driving without taking your eyes off the road for too long. Fully configurable and touch-sensitive, it offers several display options, allowing the driver to select his or her preferred configuration! The addition of the large screen eliminates the large control button that was located under the guide on the brake lever side.
Once again, the 2023 Ski-Doo MXZ XRS 850 will turn heads in 2023…
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