The end of the season is already upon us in some areas of Quebec, and it is now time for me to give you my final comments on my long-term test of the 2020 Renegade X 600R. A few years ago, I had the chance to test the combination of the new 600R E-TEC engine and the MXZ XRS short-tunnel chassis over short distances. I was really impressed by the power of this little engine and the handling of this machine. This year, I had the chance to try it on a long-term test, but in a 137-inch long tunnel version and my first impressions from a few years ago have remained the same.
For a 125-horsepower engine, the combination of weight and power makes this machine truly enjoyable to ride. At the start, it gives us a very good feeling, and it has a good recovery at the exit of the corners, which is comparable to the 850 E-TEC engine. However, it must be said that it lacks the 850 E-TEC engine’s wow factor. What makes it so interesting is its purchase price, which is less than a machine with a more powerful engine, about $1,000 less. What’s more, you’ll see throughout the season that the savings don’t stop there.
I rode with my wife most of the time. She has an identical model but in the 850 E-TEC version. The difference in consumption is significant, about $1 to $2 less with each refuelling. It’s an average for the season of 20.5 miles per gallon or 13.7 litres per hundred kilometres. My driving style is pretty aggressive. I like fast accelerations at the start and out of the bends. So, it’s probably possible to do better if you take it easy. Savings are also seen in oil consumption. It’s harder to calculate precisely, but I would say that the 600R E-TEC engine consumes about 1/3 less oil compared to the 850 E-TEC engine. So, if you’re not a fan of extreme top speed and fuel and oil economy is important, a Ski-Doo model with a 600R engine may be a good choice for you.
The model being tested this year has quick adjust running boards and Pilot TS skis. These features will allow you to easily adjust the rear suspension and the aggressiveness of the runners under the skis for an ideal ride in any trail conditions as well as in different snow conditions. All this without even taking out a tool; all you need to do is turn a few knobs.
The pre-lugged 1.5” high Ice Ripper XT track makes the snowmobile very stable, which is most noticeable when riding in soft snow. The rear of the snowmobile is much more stable compared to one with a lower lug profile.
As I said in my mid-season article, the new 7.2-inch gauge has a lot of information, and it’s displayed all at once, but its monochrome colour really makes it less attractive at night. The standard halogen headlights are not ideal for evening rides, especially since most other manufacturers’ snowmobiles have LED headlights. Also, the sound of the snowmobile wasn’t appealing to me. However, despite these small drawbacks, I still enjoyed my test snowmobile.
So, if you want a light and economical machine where top speed is not an important criterion, a Ski-Doo model with the 600R E-TEC engine is for you. I would like to thank SledMagazine.com and BRP for the long-term loan of the 2020 Ski-Doo Renegade X 600R.
I’ll see you next year for more tests!
