Up Front Research · Trail Snowmobile Comparison
Arctic Cat El Tigre 858 vs Ski-Doo MXZ & Polaris Indy
The returning legend vs the trail benchmarks — engine, power steering, suspension & honest trade-offs.
Reviewed & updated by the team at Empire Cycle & Powersports, Spokane Valley.
Quick verdict
- Choose the Arctic Cat El Tigre 858 if you want the class’s biggest twin with standard power steering and on-the-fly ATAC suspension — on a first-year sled wearing a storied name.
- Choose the Ski-Doo MXZ or Polaris Indy if you want the proven trail benchmarks — deeper networks, mature platforms, broader trim ladders, and (in the MXZ Turbo R) the segment’s strongest published power figure.
Fair-play note: Ski-Doo’s MXZ Turbo R publishes 180 hp — the table says so plainly where the competition wins.
2027 Arctic Cat El Tigre 858 vs. Ski-Doo MXZ & Polaris Indy
A legendary name returns to the trail: the 2027 El Tigre 858 puts the biggest engine in the 850 class on the light Catalyst platform, with electric power steering standard — equipment the benchmark trail sleds haven’t offered to date. Against the Ski-Doo MXZ (Rotax 850 E-TEC) and Polaris Indy 850 (Patriot), here’s the honest head-to-head.
Arctic CatEl Tigre 858 (137 / 146) Biggest engine | Ski-DooMXZ 850 E-TEC | PolarisIndy 850 (XCR/VR1) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 858cc twin | 849cc twin | 840cc twin |
| Power approx. | ~180 hp* | ~165 hp (850) / 180 hp Turbo R | ~165 hp |
| Power steering EPS | Standard ✓ | — (verify current trims) | — (verify current trims) |
| Rear suspension | SLIDE-ACTION w/ ATAC (137) / CROSS-ACTION II (146) | rMotion X | PRO-CC / XCR |
| On-the-fly suspension adjust | ATAC ✓ (137) | Smart-Shox (select trims) | select trims |
| Track | 137″×1.25″ / 146″×1.3″ | 129″/137″ options | 129″/137″/146″ options |
| Gauge | G8 touchscreen | trim-dependent | 7S display (select) |
| Fuel | 10.4 gal | see ski-doo.com | see polaris.com |
| Price starting MSRP | call for season pricing | see ski-doo.com | see polaris.com |
Where the El Tigre makes its case
The class’s biggest twin, standard power steering, and a storied name back on the snow.
- ✓Biggest engine in the class. At 858cc, Arctic Cat’s twin out-displaces the Rotax 849 and Patriot 840. Arctic Cat doesn’t publish horsepower; it cites an 11% gain over the previous 800, and independent testing commonly places the 858 around 180 hp*.
- ✓Standard electric power steering. EPS comes standard on the El Tigre 858 — a genuine fatigue-saver on long trail days, and equipment the benchmark trail sleds haven’t offered to date.
- ✓ATAC on-the-fly adjustment. The 137 pairs its SLIDE-ACTION rear with ATAC — suspension firmness adjusted from the bars while you ride, standard rather than reserved for a top trim.
- ●Where Ski-Doo and Polaris win. The MXZ and Indy are the trail segment’s proven champions — deeper dealer networks, mature platforms with years of owner history, huge aftermarkets, and broader trim/track ladders. Outright power, too, if you spend up: Ski-Doo’s MXZ can be had with the 180-hp 850 E-TEC Turbo R, the strongest published figure in the segment. The El Tigre 858 is a first-year sled wearing a famous name; if you want the known quantity, the benchmarks have earned that reputation.
And the price is the price. Our advertised number already includes freight, setup and our documentation fee — only sales tax and title/registration are added.
Frequently asked questions
How much horsepower does the El Tigre 858 have?
Arctic Cat doesn’t publish an official rating for the 858 engine. It cites an 11% output gain over the previous 800, and independent testing commonly places the 858 around 180 hp — against roughly 165 hp for the naturally-aspirated Ski-Doo 850 E-TEC and Polaris Patriot 850. Ski-Doo’s turbocharged 850 E-TEC Turbo R carries a published 180 hp. Approximate figures except where a manufacturer publishes one.
Does the El Tigre 858 have power steering?
Yes — electric power steering (EPS) is standard on both the 137 trail and 146 crossover versions, along with push-button reverse and the G8 touchscreen gauge.
Where can I order the 2027 El Tigre 858 near Spokane?
Empire Cycle & Powersports in Spokane Valley, WA takes season orders for the 2027 El Tigre 858 — call (509) 892-6368. Up Front Pricing applies: freight, setup and our documentation fee are already in the advertised price.
El Tigre 858 figures are 2027 model-year specifications from Arctic Cat’s official published specifications. *Arctic Cat does not publish an official horsepower rating; the ~180 hp figure reflects independent testing and the cited 11% gain over the previous 800, and Ski-Doo/Polaris ~165 hp figures are likewise industry-standard approximations — none are manufacturer ratings. Ski-Doo and Polaris details (including power-steering availability and the trims carrying the published 180-hp Turbo R) vary by trim and model year and should be verified at ski-doo.com and polaris.com before purchase. MSRPs exclude tax and title/registration. Comparison by Empire Cycle & Powersports, Spokane Valley, WA.
Want a Arctic Cat from Empire?
We don’t have this exact model on the floor this minute — but we’re your Arctic Cat dealer in Spokane Valley and can get it, with the same Up Front Pricing. Call (509) 892-6368 or browse what’s in stock.