Up Front Research · Comparison
Arctic Cat M 858 vs Ski-Doo Summit
The Inland Northwest mountain-sled decision — published numbers only, including the ones Ski-Doo wins.
Reviewed & updated by the team at Empire Cycle & Powersports, Spokane Valley.
Quick verdict
- Choose the Arctic Cat M 858 / MTN 858 if you want the class’s biggest naturally aspirated engine, mountain tracks to 165″, and a price that already includes freight and setup — with the dealer in Spokane Valley.
- Choose the Ski-Doo Summit if you want published power figures and a factory turbo — the 180-hp Turbo R holds boost to 8,000 ft, and we say plainly that Arctic Cat doesn’t answer it.
Arctic Cat doesn’t publish horsepower for the 858 — this page says so instead of inventing a number. Compare out-the-door prices: Ski-Doo’s site notes transportation and preparation are not included.
Arctic Cat M 858 / MTN 858 vs. Ski-Doo Summit
The Inland Northwest mountain-sled question. Ski-Doo’s Summit is the segment’s biggest name; Arctic Cat’s 858 mountain sleds answer with the biggest naturally aspirated displacement in the fight and a different pricing philosophy. Figures below are each manufacturer’s own published numbers — and where only one side publishes a number, we say so instead of inventing one.
Arctic CatM 858 / MTN 858 In stock | Ski-DooSummit 850 E-TEC | Ski-DooSummit 850 Turbo R | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 858cc 2-stroke, C-TEC2 injection | 849cc 2-stroke E-TEC | 849cc 2-stroke E-TEC, factory turbo |
| Published power | not published — Arctic Cat doesn’t quote hp | 165 hp | 180 hp “up to 8,000 ft” |
| Track lengths | 146 / 154 / 165 (PowerClaw, up to 3″) | 146–165 (2.5–3.0″ profiles) | |
| Fuel capacity | 10.4 gal | see ski-doo spec sheet | |
| Gauge | big G8 touchscreen available | 10.25″ display available | |
| What the advertised price includes | Empire Up Front: freight, setup & doc fee included ✓ | “Transportation and preparation not included” — ski-doo.brp.com | |
| Local dealer | Empire, Spokane Valley ✓ | other dealers | |
| Price | see live pricing below | Summit X from $16,549 MSRP + fees | Expert from $18,099 MSRP + fees |
Where the Arctic Cat 858 makes its case
The biggest NA displacement in the class, mountain-length PowerClaw tracks — and a sticker that’s already the whole price.
- ✓Displacement instead of decals. The 858 is the largest naturally aspirated two-stroke in this fight — 858cc against the Summit’s 849 — wearing Arctic Cat’s Next-Gen C-TEC2 injection and PowerClaw tracks up to 3″ deep in 154 and 165 lengths for Inland Northwest snow.
- ✓The price is the whole price. Ski-Doo’s own site prices the Summit “transportation and preparation not included.” Every Empire sled price already includes freight, setup and our doc fee — compare out-the-door numbers and the gap between these machines changes.
- ●Straight talk — where Ski-Doo wins. Ski-Doo publishes its power figures — 165 hp NA, and a factory 180-hp Turbo R that holds boost to 8,000 feet, something Arctic Cat’s 858 doesn’t answer with a factory turbo. Ski-Doo also publishes aggressively light dry weights on the Summit X. If you ride the steepest, highest terrain and want factory boost with a warranty, the Turbo R is a real argument — at a real price.
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
Is the Arctic Cat 858 as good as a Ski-Doo Summit?
They’re the two serious mountain choices in this region. The 858 brings the largest naturally aspirated displacement in the class (858cc), mountain tracks to 165″, and all-in pricing at Empire; the Summit answers with published power (165 hp NA, 180-hp factory Turbo R) and Ski-Doo’s light published weights. Riders split on feel — demo both if you can, and compare out-the-door prices, not stickers.
How much horsepower does the Arctic Cat 858 make?
Arctic Cat doesn’t publish a horsepower figure for the 858, so we won’t invent one. What’s published: 858cc of two-stroke displacement with Next-Gen C-TEC2 injection — the largest naturally aspirated engine in the mountain segment. Ski-Doo publishes 165 hp for the NA 850 and 180 hp to 8,000 ft for the Turbo R.
Where can I buy an Arctic Cat mountain sled near Spokane?
Empire Cycle & Powersports, 7807 E Sprague Ave in Spokane Valley — the area’s Arctic Cat dealer, with MTN 858 154 and 165 builds in stock, parts and service on site, and Up Front Pricing that already includes freight, setup and the doc fee.
Arctic Cat figures are from Arctic Cat’s official MY2026/MY2027 specifications (858cc C-TEC2, PowerClaw tracks, 10.4-gal fuel, G8 gauge availability); Arctic Cat does not publish horsepower for the 858. Ski-Doo figures are published at ski-doo.brp.com (Summit lineup: 165 hp 850 E-TEC, 180 hp “up to 8,000 ft” 850 E-TEC Turbo R; Summit X from $16,549, Expert from $18,099, “transportation and preparation not included”), retrieved August 30, 2026 — verify current specs and pricing there. MSRPs exclude tax and title/registration. Comparison by Empire Cycle & Powersports, Spokane Valley, WA.
