At the recent SnowShoot, I had the chance to ride several 2026 Ski-Doo snowmobiles. The 2026 Renegade X-RS with the 900 ACE Turbo R engine and Smart-Shox suspension won over the snowmobiler in me. In this article, I’ll present the features of this snowmobile that made it my favourite 2026 Ski-Doo sled.
Context
Over the past five or six years, two-stroke snowmobiles have easily won my heart. I must say that for 2026, it’s a different story. In fact, until now, I found the four-stroke models more difficult to control in the corners.. Indeed, their heavier front end and tendency to lean outwards in curves cause understeer. I had more difficulty maintaining my line compared to when I was riding two-strokes. That being said, some found a solution by significantly reducing their speed in corners.
Now, the switch to the REV Gen5 chassis may have slightly reduced this tendency. However, I wouldn’t recommend Renegade owners to upgrade to the fifth generation just for a minimal gain in corner stability.
RAS RX Suspension: A Revolution for Stability and Control
Last year, Ski-Doo introduced its new RAS RX front suspension on some 2025 MXZ and Backcountry models. This was a game changer, significantly reducing roll in turns. To learn more about this suspension, I invite you to read my article on the subject by clicking here.
As we know now, it took a year before the RAS RX was introduced to the Renegade lineup. But to adapt it properly to these models, Ski-Doo had to make adjustments. Thus, while this suspension reduced rolling by 20% on the MXZ, we see an 18% reduction in the Renegade. I discussed these differences in my first encounter with the RAS RX on the Renegade. To avoid repeating myself, I also invite you to read that article.
Smart-Shox and RAS RX: The Ultimate Trail Combination
If the RAS RX front suspension reduces rolling, the Smart-Shox reduces the snowmobile’s tendency to “dive” outwards in turns. Furthermore, the benefits of these two systems are cumulative. Thus, while the RAS RX keeps the front of the vehicle levelled, the Smart-Shox takes care of calibrating the shocks in real time. It adjusts the shock on the outside ski to make it stiffer while softening the one on the inside.
My Observations on the Trails
The impact of the RAS RX suspension is felt from the first turn. I quickly realized that the understeer effect was greatly reduced. You feel more in control of the snowmobile, which maintains its line much more easily.
If you enter curves more aggressively, you’ll notice that the snowmobile still has a slight tendency to understeer. This is especially true in unpacked snow. This is where you might wonder why Ski-Doo opted for the Pilot X skis instead of the RX. Personally, I tend to agree with the manufacturer. Indeed, the RX skis are more aggressive, with the advantages and disadvantages that come with that.
Having more aggressive skis can be desirable in some situations. However, it can sometimes have a major impact on comfort. More aggressive skis will increase the effort required to turn the handlebars, for example. Additionally, the snowmobile may have a greater tendency to wobble. In short, the decision to keep the Pilot X skis on the 2026 Renegade X and X-RS seems the most logical to me.
900 ACE Turbo R Engine: Power, Precision, and Trail Comfort
So far, I’ve only talked about the RAS RX suspension to explain my choice of favourite. However, this decision goes much further. The impressive performance of the Rotax 900 ACE Turbo R engine is also part of my reasoning. Indeed, it’s a powerful, smooth, and predictable engine. When you press the throttle, you get a powerful and linear response.
Like any other turbocharged engine, there’s a slight delay in response. Rest assured, this delay isn’t very significant. But in some situations, after understanding how the Turbo R works, you can slightly anticipate your demands to compensate for this slight lag.
The Three Riding Modes of the 900 ACE Turbo R Engine
The three modes of the 900 ACE Turbo R engine (SPORT, NORMAL, and ECO) influence its behaviour. Personally, I mainly opt for NORMAL mode on the trails. This mode offers a more moderate response than SPORT mode while still delivering good power. I particularly appreciate it in turns. Indeed, in “sport” mode, the engine responds too abruptly, and the front tends to lift, reducing ski grip on the trail. You’ll agree with me that this is the last thing you want when navigating winding trails.
The rMotion X rear suspension offers excellent comfort. Bumps and trail imperfections are absorbed smoothly. Even in more pronounced bumps, everything is well dampened. Of course, the addition of Smart-Shox technology enhances efficiency, as it ensures optimal calibration of the rear shock and skis.
I’d like to remind you here that Smart-Shox doesn’t affect the centre shock (in front of the rMotion X suspension). I still wonder why, by the way. It seems to me that the centre shock plays a key role in the efficiency of a snowmobile’s suspension. By the way, I covered the arrival of this suspension in 2021 in a detailed article that I invite you to read. I must warn you, however, that this article is only available in French.
Riding the 2026 Renegade X-RS With the 900 ACE Turbo R
When I think of a snowmobile with a four-stroke engine, I always expect a relatively heavy ride. This is because the added weight of these machines, mainly at the front, puts additional pressure on the skis. So, logically, turning the handlebars should require more effort, right? Well, the folks at Ski-Doo have done their homework on this front. Indeed, turning the skis of the 2026 Renegade X-RS required very little effort during my test.
Thus, those who love to devour hundreds of kilometres of groomed trails every day will appreciate the behaviour of this snowmobile powered by the 900 ACE Turbo R engine. In addition to surprisingly light handling, the RAS RX suspension allows for total control in curves. Moreover, the added weight of the four-stroke engine makes the snowmobile more stable and well planted on the trails. This very enjoyable trail model made me rediscover the pleasure of riding a four-stroke snowmobile.
Of course, the suspension on the 2026 Renegade X-RS is stiffer than the X models. Here, it’s a matter of personal preference. If you’re looking for maximum suspension softness, I recommend the X models. However, if you prefer a slightly firmer suspension, like me, you’ll prefer the X-RS, in my opinion. Additionally, if you don’t opt for the Smart-Shox, the shocks on the 2026 Renegade X-RS remain adjustable. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for the X models.
New Additions to the 10.25-inch Display
Finally, I can’t overlook two important additions to the 10.25-inch touchscreen. First, Ski-Doo integrates a GPS module into its onboard computer. This allows you to navigate even without being connected to your smartphone.
Second, Ski-Doo adds the Group function to its built-in GPS, which allows you to know the position of other snowmobiles in your group. Note that your companions must also have this feature. Additionally, the screen also shows all snowmobiles equipped with this function that aren’t part of your group. On the trail, for example, you’ll be able to see if you’re about to cross paths with another snowmobile, if someone is following you, or if you’re catching up to one. This gives you a better awareness of your surroundings.
I Chose the 2026 Renegade X-RS
For all these reasons, and for the pleasure I had riding it, this snowmobile won me over. I’ve chosen the 2026 Renegade X-RS with the 900 ACE Turbo R engine and Smart-Shox suspension as my favourite Ski-Doo for 2026. I can’t wait to continue this love story next season, as I’ll have the chance to ride this model on Quebec’s trails.
Happy end of the season to all!
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