FIRST TEST: 2025 YAMAHA WOLVERINE RMAX4 1000 XT-R
Room to roam with everyone – By Cain Smead
Nowadays, it’s the norm for a company to develop a new UTV in both two- and four-seat configurations. When Yamaha unveiled the Wolverine RMAX, they did have both versions; however, the four-seater was strictly aimed at the tight-trail riders of the eastern U.S. and western mountain riders. In that first four-seat model, all four passengers fit in the same footprint as the two-seater. The new 2025 Wolverine RMAX4 is more of a stretched-out version of the original design, giving the rear passenger more room and keeping the same-size dumping bed that is found on the two-seater.
The original RMAX4 is still around but goes by the name “RMAX4 1000 Compact.” For 2025, the larger offering has been stretched just over 30 inches to 118 inches total, giving backseat passengers just as much comfort and legroom as the pair up front. The back passengers get a huge 6-gallon storage box between their legs to carry things like extra snacks, jackets or tools. The rear passengers also get handlebar-style handholds right in front of them, padded touchpoints in the doors and speakers, too. And last, 12-volt power, cupholders and a smaller storage compartment under the center armrest finish off the list for rear-cabin extras.
Up front, the RMAX offers 12-volt USB power and a handful of empty blank switches for future accessory integration. Plus, Yamaha has developed their own plug-and-play buss bar that’s installed under the hood, making all electrical installations a breeze.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW?
With the introduction of this machine, Yamaha brought some needed improvements to the entire RMAX lineup. The Adventure Pro GPS system is all new and borrowed from their marine line of products. It has tracking, import and export functions, and also doubles as a backup camera screen. The Limited model gets a new TFT display behind the steering wheel; however, the XTR model does not. The XT-R badge does get you beadlock wheels and a $1200 lower price tag than the Limited. Both machines come with a winch, roof and rear-view mirror. Our demo unit has side-view mirrors, too, which was a very nice treat, as it’s one thing we always install on our long-term test units.
Under the hood, Yamaha installed a stronger electronic power steering unit that is also power adjustable via a dash-mounted switch. The front differential is also new, featuring a quicker-engaging locker, as well as a higher top speed while it is in use. Out back, the transmission has a unlocking rear-axle differential.
Turf mode is now available on all Wolverine RMAX models in 2025. So, if you have sensitive ground you need to drive over or need to make a slow-speed tight corner, Turf mode can help in those kinds of situations without sacrificing the durability Yamaha is known for.
WHAT ABOUT THE POWER?
The same 999cc, twin-cylinder, DOHC powerplant is found in the new four-seater. Yamaha did lighten the clutch weights slightly, so the mill will rev a little higher and put down about the same torque as the two-door model. On the trail, the machine has plenty of grunt to give you and all your passengers a thrill, and top speed is still over 70 mph. You can feel the extra weight of the machine, but the motor doesn’t seem to struggle or feel soft at all. Yamaha does equip this machine with the D-Mode switch as standard equipment. That way, you can adjust how the power output reacts to your right-foot input. We did find ourselves using Sport mode more often in this machine than we do in the two-seater, and it does great at keeping the ride exciting. When the trail turned rough and slower, Normal and Crawl modes did a good job smoothing out the throttle response.
The extra weight does require you to have to use low gear more often in extreme situations like rock crawling, whereas in the two-seat RMAX you’re rarely required to use it.
HOW’S THE SUSPENSION?
From the first time we took the RMAX2 on a long West Coast ride, we have been yearning for a little bit more wheelbase. The shocks do an excellent job damping the 12.2 inches of travel and 16 inches of movement out back; however, overall comfort suffered in the desert whoops when encountering high-traffic riding areas. With the added 30 inches of wheelbase, this machine rides like it has 6 more inches of wheel travel than the two-seater. On our initial ride in Utah, we kept the QS3 Fox shocks in the softest or middle setting most of the day. The car soaked up the rock ledges, rain ruts and roots very well. The extra wheelbase was also very welcome in the sand washes, keeping the machine going exactly where you point it. A shorter-wheelbase UTV would be a little more twitchy.
In the super-rough terrain, the 30-inch Maxxis tires are proven to deflect sharp rocks while still providing predictable traction and excellent wear qualities. You can expect a few thousand miles of life out of these tires. Finally, 13.8 inches of ground clearance let us straddle big rocks, and dual sway bars kept the machine planted and sure-footed even in off-camber situations.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We didn’t like that it took a few years for Yamaha to release this stretched four-seat RMAX, but we do appreciate the upgraded componentry that came with the new model. Now all-new RMAX buyers will get the benefits of the unlocking rear differential, upgraded power steering and new brakes. All of the upgrades were things we didn’t know we even needed, except for Turf mode. Yamaha has been lacking that feature for ages. The 2025 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX4 1000 checks all of the boxes in making the perfect family trail rig or even the ultimate adventure rig for one or two people, and, most importantly, it has plenty of Yamaha’s quality and reliability we love the brand for. www.yamahamotorsports.com
YAMAHA RMAX4 1000 HIGHS
• Great rear-seat legroom
• Fit and finish
• Huge interior cargo compartment
• Accessory integration
YAMAHA RMAX4 1000 LOWS
• Engine noise
• No stadium rear seating
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