One of the most anticipated high-performance UTVs in the last couple of years has been the CFMOTO ZFORCE Z10. It’s CFMOTO’s first turbocharged UTV. We actually got a quick track test of an early prototype version of this machine nearly two years ago and have been begging for more seat time. This month, as production units hit dealers, CFMOTO gave us the key fob and let us rip the new unit across the Arizona desert for a slightly longer test of around 40 miles.
HOW DOES THE PRICE COMPARE?
There is only one other machine that directly compares to the Z10 at $19,999, not only in price but in suspension and horsepower too, Can-Am’s Maverick X3 DS. At the Polaris dealer, $19,999 will get you a non-turbo RZR. You‘ll have to bust out another $5K to get the comparable RZR Pro XP, or if 20K is all you have, you won’t get a turbo from Polaris.
WHAT POWERS THE Z10
A triple cylinder engine very similar to Can-Am’s X3 powerplant. However, the Z10 engine is a 998cc instead of 900cc’s in the Can-Am. The tune CFMOTO uses churns out 154 horsepower. Can-Am has different tunes for their triple depending on the model. The base X3 has 135 while the RR model has a full 200. We bet before you get done reading this, some aftermarket company, such as EVP, will have a 200+ tune for the Z10. Until then, you can check out our comparison spec chart to see how the Z10 compares to the RZR Pro XP and the X3 in power-to-weight numbers, and it is close.
IS IT FAST
Two things make it feel fast: the low seat height and ITP Terra Hook tires, giving it great traction. In fact, these are about the most aggressive tires you will find on a sport machine. I feel they offer twice as much traction as the Maxxis Carnivore or Carnage tires that come on a majority of machines. You can choose between three power modes to get you down the trail. They all feel fast; they just come on a little differently. When you stab the throttle in Sport, you have a noticeable turbo lag, then you get forced back into the seat as the car launches forward. In Sport, you get a nice turbo blow off tone, whereas in comfort mode, it’s much quieter and there’s no blow of noise. That’s a complaint we have on the Kawasaki H2; it’s loud even when cruising around at a leisurely pace. The Z10’s exhaust is very quiet, and you don’t hear any noise coming from the big radiator intake scoop between the passenger’s heads except for a little clutch backlash.
We weren’t able to find the Z10’s top speed as our test loop didn’t have any long, straight trails. We did reach 70MPH, and it felt like there was a lot more in reserve. Plus, there’s no doubt the 154 horses could handle a taller 32-35 inch tire. The Z10 will be a blast to drive in the dunes. All of its power will be better utilized in the dunes, plus its low seat height will help too.
HOW ABOUT SUSPENSION
A similar A-arm suspension setup to the X3 is found up front, offering a claimed 17 inches of travel controlled by a 2.5 Fox QSE shock and a swaybar. Out back, a trailing-arm system is used with two radius rods, a toe link, and a second swaybar control 20 inches of movement. All four corners have preload adjustability and electronically controlled compression.
The test loop CFMOTO had us on wasn’t very rough, but there were a couple of G-Outs and wash ledges we could hit. The suspension feels good for a 64-inch wide machine. The swaybars are stiff, so there is very little body roll. You could definitely notice the suspension changes when you toggled from soft, medium, and hard. Plus, the toggle was super easy to reach on the steering wheel. While there is no full firm panic button like on the RZR, you can customize the medium setting to add or remove compression from it.
DOES IT HANDLE WELL?
It does corner well with very little body roll. Although engine braking in high is non-existent, the dual piston calipers on all four corners do an excellent job of slowing the machine down quickly. Again, those grippy ITP TerraHook tires can take some of the credit. There are four different power steering sensitivity levels you can choose from, but I preferred the minimum. In that setting, the steering was light and offered just the right amount of feedback. Its wheelbase sits right in between that of the RZR XP and the X3 and feels perfect.
WHAT FEATURES DOES IT HAVE
The cockpit is full of features. The driver gets a larger instrument panel behind the steering wheel, while a second infotainment screen is in the center of the dash. That 12.3 screen features Apple CarPlay and mirrors to CFMOTO’S own RideSync App. It can show vehicle stats like miles driven, fuel levels, maintenance schedules, and vehicle location. There were audio controls, but our test unit didn’t have any speakers. A backup camera is standard, but there are no mirrors. Our test machine had an aftermarket set.
The seats are full suspension seats with removable cushions for easy cleaning, and the driver’s side is adjustable. CFMOTO includes a winch and front bumper standard, however, not a roof.
For traction, the Z10 relies on 8-ply ITP TerraHook tires sized in a square setup with 30×10-14’s on all four corners. Those tires are sitting on 5-lug wheels; the hubs behind them are the automotive-style unitized hubs just like Polaris has gone to on its high-end machines.
IS IT STRONG?
The ROPS is made from two-inch steel and has a lot more cross-bracing and support than its competition. The C-Pillars out back are more than just fender supports; they are tied into the chassis. We can’t confirm yet if it’s race legal, but it’s close. There are provisions for harnesses, such as pass-through seats, but the Z10 comes with a three-point automotive-style seatbelt for now.
INITIAL THOUGHTS
Although our desert test was short, we came away impressed with the fit and finish, power, and comfort. Power-wise, we think it will keep up with the X3 or RZR Pro XP no problem. We loved the dual glove boxes, and since the radiator is rear-mounted, there was no excessive cabin heat. Visuals out of it were not as good as a RZR or a KRX, but certainly better than the X3. The seats were comfortable, the doors closed tightly, and the steering wheel had good placement.
Suspension felt as it might have been restricted by stiff swaybars. However, they help in cornering. We were running high tire pressure as well. We hit a few rocks with the skid plates and cracked a rear section of the hard plastic skid, and a front section also failed after a high-speed nose dive. Thicker skids would help, as would a tad more ground clearance. However, until then, the Z10 is a solid product out of the gate. We can’t wait to see what the aftermarket can do with it and where we can drive it next. We definitely need more seat time to give it a full seal of approval.
By The Numbers
CFMOTO ZFORCE Z10….POLARIS RZR PRO XP…CAN-AM MAVERICK X3 DS
Engine…3 cylinder…2 cylinder…3 cylinder
Displacement…998cc…925cc…900cc
Horsepower…154…181…135hp
Claimed dry weight…1910…1833…1571lb
Power to weight…12….10.1…11.63 lbs per hp
Fuel capacity…11.8…12 …10.5gal
Suspension/wheel travel
Front…Fox 2.5 w/17”…Fox 2.0 w/17”…Showa 2.5 w/20”
Rear…Fox 2.5 w/20”…Fox 2.0 w/20”…Showa 2.5 w/20”
Length/width/height…129x64x68.5”…126x64x71.7″ …132x64x65.4”
Tires/wheels…30×10-14”…30×10-14”…30×10-14”
Claimed dry weight…1910…1833…1571lb
Gauge…7 +12.3 color…4” color…4.5”
Ground clearance…14…14.5…14”
Wheelbase…99…96…102”
Audio…Yes…No…no
Roof…No…no…no
Winch…Yes…no…no
Rear camera…Yes…no..no
Full doors…Yes…yes…no
Price…$19,000… $24,999…$19,000
SPECIFICATIONS
Horsepower…154 hp at 7750 rpm 107 lb-ft peak torque 1910 lbs dry weight
Engine Type …3-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, Turbo
Displacement…998cc
Horsepower…154
Fuel System …Bosch® EFI
Transmission Drive
L x W x H…129″ x 64″ x 68.5″ 99″
Wheelbase …99”
Ground Clearance…14”
Dry Weight …1910 lbs.
Braking …Front/Rear: Hydraulic disc Front:
Suspension / wheel travel
Front/Rear: 17″/20″
Shocks …Fox 2.5” QSE
Wheels…14″ Aluminum wheels
Tires Front: 30″ x 10″ x 14″ ITP Terra Hook Rear: 30″ x 10″ x 14″ ITP Terra Hook
Additional Features…4500lb winch, 12.3″ CFMOTO RideSync
MMI touchscreen with backup camera, CFMOTO LED headlights/taillights with backup lights
Colors… Nebula Black, Lava Orange
Price…$19,999 2 seat, $22,999 4-seat
Contact…www.cfmotousa.com
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