2016 Ski-Doo Summit X T3 154 Review

Last year, the 163 and 174 Ski-Doo Summit X with the famed T3 package were highly popular mountain snowmobiles, taking steep-n-deep to a new high – three inches high. The 2015 Summit X T3 163 and 174 were the first factory-built snowmobiles with a paddle track utilizing three-inch lugs.

But for model year 2015, where was the 154? It was tucked away waiting for its own grand entrance. For model year 2016, Ski-Doo completes its mountain arsenal by adding the 154 Summit X to the T3 line – the Summit X T3 154 has arrived.

Ski-Doo is a shining star faithfully spilling light onto the Snowmobile.com high mountain campground. Ski-Doo’s Summit X has a storied history as this publication’s Mountain Snowmobile of the Year. Last year, 2015, the two Summit X T3s, 163 and 174, like the Freeride 146 and 154 before it, like the XM X 154 and 163 before it, and the XP Summit X 154 with S-36 mountain handling package before it, were our mountain snowmobiles of the year. Twice the Summit X shared this podium with Polaris’ RMK Pro. Regardless, Ski-Doo’s Summit X has been our top choice for several years.

Measuring 131-inches in overall length, the new for 2016 Summit 154 X w/T3 is an 800 two-stroke E-TEC powered twin cylinder mountain snowmobile that is clean burning and quiet in the woods.

Ski-Doo once again impressed us, this year with its Summit X T3 154 with its combination T3 and RAS 2 (Rapid Action System) handling package. Like the T3 163 and 174 from 2015, the 154 receives all the same T3 rights and privileges. We wrote last year about the 2015 Summit X 154 being left out of the T3 game, virtually killing its sales for 2015. Competing against its T3 siblings, we summarized, would be difficult, and apparently it was. Back then we amused ourselves with this made-up parental thought from Ski-Doo as it looked upon the 154 XM X, “Why can’t you be like your bigger brothers?” Well, the 154 Summit X, fed up with the comparisons, went to the gym, lost some weight, and learned some new mixed martial art moves by becoming an X T3 – complete with Ski-Doo’s T3 bug-out bag: three-inch FlexEdge Powder Max II track, tMotion rear suspension, dropped and rolled chaincase, and RAS 2 front suspension.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2015 Ski-Doo 800 Summit X 174 with T3 + Video

But the Summit X T3s are limited build, for the spring buying program. For the mountain snowmobile builders, the 150-something length mountain snowmobile remains the most popular, but the 160-somethings is fast coming up to match sales.

The T3 154 with its 16-inch wide three-inch-lug PowderMax track, tMotion rear suspension and RAS-2 front end make the Summit X w/T3 one of the simplest mountain snowmobiles to boondock on.

Let’s talk some specifics. The 154 Summit X T3 with its 16-inch wide PowderMax II track has a contact area of 2,464 square inches. Compare this to Cat’s M8000 153 and Polaris’s RMK 155 that uses 15-inch wide tracks. The M8000’s surface area is 2295 square inches and the RMK’s is 2325 square inches. Flotation favors the 154 Summit X T3. Let’s go beyond this; Cat’s 162 and Polaris’ 163 have surface areas that are 2430 and 2445 respectively. With that, the Summit X 154 has a larger contact patch to the snow than the other OEM’s 160-something deep-powder models. There is wisdom to Ski-Doo’s methodology; the means justify the end in flotation.

Previously when we rode Ski-Doo mountain sleds, we opted for the 154; nimble through the trees and deep floater it was.

Last season, we were skeptics. We, with very little seat time on the 2015 Summit X T3 163 and 174, believed the Summit X T3 163 and 174 would perform as Ski-Doo said. But with very little seat time, we could not go through the tried and true analysis method: Trust, but verify.

The crisp throttle response from the 800 R E-Tec motor is much appreciated. The clean burning EFI delivers quiet and strong response.

In our mountain sled shootout this past January, the Summit X T3 163 became a controversial snowmobile. One guest test rider fell madly in love with the snowmobile and one was more centrist. Sr. Test Rider Kevin Allred and I found a bit unnerving the 163 T3’s tendencies to tail walk when climbing and a propensity to throw its nose uphill when in full sidehill cut mode. We have discussed this at length. Is it us, the snowmobile (the 163 only), or a combination of the two?

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2016 Arctic Cat M8000 Limited + Video

Yet, the 174 T3 was easier to handle. Being longer, its nose mostly remained on the snow when climbing. When sidehilling, the 174’s back end did not unexpectedly wash out or climb up the hill when additional throttle was applied. We know the longer length and rear suspension position in the tunnel – the long distance between the rear scissor link and track drivers – kept the 174 secure.

We need more time on the 163 Summit X T3. We need to learn it and understand it.

The 154 T3 Summit X with its deep three-inch paddle track that is 16 inches wide, makes powder riding easy work.

The 154 Summit X with T3, for model year 2016, seems to be its own snowmobile. After spending much time on the 154, Kevin Allred noted, “It’s a much behaved Summit [over the 163].” He found it easy to manipulate in the trees and was manageable in climbs and in sidehill cuts. As a seasoned rider, he likes the 154 Summit X with T3.

Not all riders and snowmobiles are created equal. As written earlier, one of our multi-year seasoned guest test riders, Roger Raymond, found the 174 and 163 Summit X T3s absolutely delightful. Kevin and I agree the 174 is a wondersled, the 163 a little bit of challenge, when compared to the 174. For Kevin, he found the 2016 154 T3 to be as sweet as the 174 – the same but different. But, Kevin noted the 154 Summit X T3 does not have the track surface area as the 163 and 174 and it will not slowly motor along in deep powder as the 174 or the 163. That’s easily understood, as it is shorter. But, as mentioned earlier, the 154 Summit has a larger contact patch than its competitors, the Arctic Cat M8000 153 and the Polaris RMK Pro 155, which means, all things being equal, it should float atop snow easier than the M8000 and RMK Pro. But, this is a paper assumption, one that needs vetting out in a shootout.

Ski-Doo developed the T3 rear suspension with FlexEdge track to be companions when the Summit X T3 rider initiates a roll into a hillside. There is more to tMotion than the rear skid and track, including pushed forward handlebars and skis (RAS), side panels and footwells that are deeper to align the rider with the handlebar and track drivers.

There is more to the T3 package than the tMotion rear skid and track, it includes: the lightened RAS2 ski suspension, pushed forward handlebar, side panels and footwells that are deeper to align the rider with the handlebarsand track drivers.

Specifically, tMotion is a rear suspension where a ball joint hinge, residing between the rear arm, the drop link, and split flex points on the front arm, swings two degrees right or left, for a total of four degrees, to induce a controlled roll with more track footprint on the snow, for a more approachable side track angle on the snow – when sidehilling across a steep slope.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2016 Polaris 800 AXYS RMK Assault + Video

tMotion works in tandem with Ski-Doo’s new Powder Max II track. The 16-inch wide track with 3.0-inch tall lugs has flexible edges. Molded into the track, from the center out at a length of 12 inches, are fiberglass reinforcement rods. The center 12 inches of the track are reinforced, whole the outer two inches are not, so they can flex ever so slightly up (to match the hill’s slope angle).This allows the track’s edges to flex up when a sidehill roll is initiated.

For 2016 Ski-Doo adds the new Summit X with three-inch lugged 154-inch length track. Time will tell if the 154 will be as popular as the 163 and 174.

The Summit 154 X w/T3 is an 800 two-stroke E-TEC powered twin cylinder mountain snowmobile that is clean burning and quiet in the woods. For us, after the spring sales numbers are settled, we want to learn which 2016 Summit X T3 was the best seller.

The Ski-Doo Summit X 154 w/T3 vs. Polaris AXYS RMK Pro 155 battle will be hot this winter. But do not discount Arctic Cat’s M8000 Sno Pro Limited 153 with its three-inch PowerClaw track, which may be a spoiler.

Ski-Doo’s Summit development team is innovative. The tMotion rear suspension, FlexEdge track, RAS-2 front end, X amenities such as its seat, runningboards, handlebar, minimalist toggle switches, and instrument pod make the 154 a tough and lightweight mountain contender. With its E-TEC motor, riders should have a snowmobile, that, we believe, is top among 150-something track length powder sleds. We don’t think it will give up much to its longer brothers due to its willingness to spin its track so fast, but it will rival the longer tracked snowmobiles from other manufacturers.