Snow Goer announces its 2027 Snowmobile of the Year
Powersports Business sister publication Snow Goer awarded its 2027 Snowmobile of the Year to the Ski-Doo MXZ X-RS 600RR, a sled it says does more than simply perform well, but represents something meaningful for the future of snowmobiling.
Snow Goer says it didn’t choose the MXZ X-RS simply because of its exceptional performance as a trail sled. But what truly set it apart from other machines was the technology under its hood, and how that tech could shape snowmobiling in the future.
At the heart of the MXZ X-RS is the new Rotax 600RR E-Tec, a liquid-cooled 599cc 2-cylinder 2-stroke that produces a claimed 130hp. Although just a 5hp increase over the 600 E-Tec it replaces, the 600RR uses additional booster injectors, revised cylinder porting, a new throttle-body design, and a higher maximum engine speed of 8,250 rpm. This results in a 20% improvement in throttle response, with stronger acceleration and a more aggressive power delivery.
Ski-Doo also walked away with Snow Goer’s top honors last year, as the publication named the Summit X with Expert Package 850 E-TEC Turbo R 154 as its 2026 Snowmobile of the Year.
Snow Goer says the MXZ X-RS 600RR stands apart because of the meaningful step forward it takes without abandoning the hallmarks of what made the 600-class so attractive. It delivers more power and quicker response while using less oil and gas, all in a compact 2-stroke package.
The 600RR also introduces Smart ECO mode, which allows riders to prioritize efficiency and reduce fuel and oil consumption by 5% and 20%, respectively. It also introduces Silent-Stop, which shuts off the engine when completely stopped and the brake is applied.
No, Snow Goer says it is not recommending this machine for everyone. At $15,500, it isn’t the most expensive machine on the floor, nor is it necessarily the fastest sled on the snow. But it chose the MXZ X-RS 600RR as its 2027 Snowmobile of the Year because it provides a vision of where the sport of snowmobiling is headed, and what is taking it there.
