Testing the New Yamaha RMAX 1000: An Incredibly Easy and Fun Buggy Family

In these opening lines, I must admit that I attended Yamaha's invitation with the nervousness of someone facing the unknown. I had never driven a buggy before. However, shortly after driving one of the available RMAX 1000 units at the event, through steep forest trails, muddy paths, half-meter ruts, crossing large puddles, and climbing rocks—an off-road excursion of tremendous difficulty—my initial tension turned into calm and confidence, as if driving a regular car on a peaceful road. This "miracle" that transforms a novice into a user with aspirations of Carlos Sainz in the Dakar Rally is solely the vehicle's merit.

The Yamaha Wolverine range, in its one-litre engine version, has once again raised its high bar to establish itself in the Side by Side segment as the reference and most exclusive products available on the market. The RMAX 1000 consists of five versions in different formats—2 or 4 seats, with or without cargo space, etc.—sharing the same platform and premium genetics based on technology, comfort, and cutting-edge equipment. All are focused on undertaking the same off-road experiences where complexity doesn't matter, only the desire to enjoy the natural environment, knowing the machine can overcome any obstacle with precision and comfort, without requiring the driver to have extensive experience or skill.

Yamaha's "wolves" feature a powerful 999 cc parallel twin-cylinder engine—DOHC, 8 valves, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled—with 120 HP and 96 Nm, delivering power as forceful as it is smooth across all ranges, with the redline at 8,500 rpm. The progressive thrust is particularly appreciated when tackling very steep and rugged terrains, as the throttle feel and immediate response allowed for detailed obstacle overcoming. While the mechanics are important in these scenarios, the suspensions are the main protagonists, as their work determines whether the cabin is a haven of peace or the opposite.

In the case of the RMAX, the adaptability and skill with which they "swallowed" the rugged trails of Les Comes (Barcelona), an impressive mountainous enclave where the presentation took place, is commendable. Regardless of the slope or surface type, with their FOX 2.0 QS3 shock absorbers, the Wolverines absorbed it with the ease of walking on soft beach sand, offering great articulation levels at low speed, but also in the faster open field areas. They feature a D-Mode system with three driving modes—Sport, Trail, and Crawl—that the user can switch via an accessible button to the right of the steering wheel to adapt the throttle response to various environmental conditions. Another system, the On-Command, with the usual 2WD, 4WD, and 4WD with differential lock options, debuts a new Turf mode for a tighter turning radius. The transmission is CVT Ultramatic with automatic centrifugal clutch, offering constant power delivery and smooth engine braking, which is especially appreciated in the most technical areas or descents.

Onboard, the cabins are robust and qualitative, with adjustable seats, blue LED interior lighting, backlit switches, and plenty of storage.

The top-of-the-range model is the RMAX 4 1000 LE (from 32,990 euros), a four-seater Side by Side loaded with equipment and a cargo platform, currently a leader in its class, and the main star of the presentation. Compared to its siblings, besides limited edition body graphics and a more qualitative interior painted to match the seats and stitching, it has a longer wheelbase (3,090 mm), which generally felt more stable, especially in faster and tighter turns, where this version seemed to have an extra balance and comfort. Additionally, it features electronically adjustable suspension from the cabin, making the driver's task much easier. Yamaha claims that the ROV gearbox of these vehicles is the most durable on the market, offering a 10-year warranty on its transmission belt. Its curb weight is 930 kg (35-litre fuel tank), and the minimum ground clearance is 360 mm. The wheel travel is 361 and 429 mm, front and rear respectively.

The wheels are 14-inch aluminum, fitted with Carnavore radial tires (30 x 10.00R), exclusively designed for this model. In short, a true tank that during our test drive seemed unstoppable or even unchallenged, clearly demonstrating the brand's commitment to continue setting the benchmark in the Side by Side segment in terms of technology and performance, allowing users to enjoy, alone or with family, all kinds of countryside excursions with the utmost guarantee and fun.