Moto123.com presents the top 10 best snowmobiles of 2015. These purpose-built machines have all the necessary attributes to excel in their respective segments, and they naturally deliver above-average performance. Criteria like weight, rigidity, body control, ride, and handling all deserve consideration, as does the performance of the engine/drivetrain/track.

Two types of engines are available to customers including 2-stroke (lightweight and powerful) and 4-stroke (clean, reliable, torque-rich) units. Arctic Cat and Ski-Doo offer both, and therefore appear to have the edge over Yamaha (4-stroke only) and Polaris (2-stroke only).

Snowmobile segments explained
A high-performance snowmobile for mechanically groomed trails must be powerful, agile, and easy to exploit both on slick and bumpy terrain. It needs to have quick and sharp weight transfers, plus some oversteer in corners to power its way out in optimum fashion.

A crossover snowmobile typically delivers excellent all-around performance with a bit of added comfort along with the ability to venture away from the trail courtesy of a longer track with deeper lugs.

A touring snowmobile is all about comfort over long distances. Both the ride and engine are smooth and quiet, and the machine overall makes things super-easy and relaxed for the rider and passenger. You'll find plenty of room on board for you and your luggage. Fuel economy is important, too.

A mountain snowmobile is the one with the longest, widest and deepest track, large skis for superior floatation, and a powerful engine that will please riders seeking adrenaline-filled, off-trail adventures.

Here then are Moto123.com's top 10 best snowmobiles of 2015:

No. 10
2015 Ski-Doo Expedition SE 900 ACE
The Expedition SE, based on the REV-XU platform, is one of the most competent and versatile sleds on the market. Its new, 4-stroke 900 ACE engine is fuel-efficient, smooth, quiet, easy to exploit, and generous in low- and mid-range torque. BRP only needs to fine-tune the ride-by-wire system and make it more precise for this model to become the leading choice of two-up touring enthusiasts.

Photo: Ski-Doo

No. 9
2015 Polaris 600 Switchback Adventure
As soon as it launched three years ago, the comfortable, versatile, and well-equipped 600 Switchback Adventure became one of the most popular snowmobiles for covering a lot of ground at a sporty pace. The improved riding position (with a gentle bend in the knees), narrow tunnel (for effortless body swings), and good protection against the elements are just some of the winning attributes of this 2-stroke crossover sled.

Photo: Polaris

No. 8
2015 Polaris 800 Rush Pro-S
Combining the latest version of the 800 Cleanfire engine (lighter and more powerful) with the new AXYS platform has worked wonders for Polaris. The highly effective clutching system delivers exhilarating responsiveness and explosive acceleration. The AXYS chassis affords a more natural riding position -- you feel like you're part of the machine instead of simply sitting on it like the old Pro-Ride architecture. That makes the 800 Rush Pro-S the third-best, 2-stroke, high-performance snowmobile on the market.

Photo: Polaris

No. 7
2015 Ski-Doo Grand Touring LE 900 ACE
Thanks to a 4-stroke 900 ACE engine and a lightweight, comfortable, and friendly engine, the Grand Touring LE 900 ACE proves to be one of the best snowmobiles for cruising on mechanically groomed trails with a passenger in tow. The smooth, efficient, and capable triple benefits from BRP's Intelligent Throttle Control (iTC) offering a light-action lever and various modes based on your type of riding. In terms of two-up touring sleds, this one places second.

Photo: Ski-Doo

No. 6
2015 Yamaha SRViper S-TX DX
Only good things seem to come from the Yamaha-Arctic Cat partnership, with the former now offering a quality chassis that's beautifully matched to its 1,049cc triple-cylinder Genesis engine. The latest SRV platform (ProCross at Arctic Cat) produced new sporty crossover models for 2015, while the engine is quite flexible, responsive, and outstandingly smooth. The SRViper S-TX DX provides plenty of comfort and protection against the elements, so you can stay longer in the snow regardless of conditions and temperatures. There's simply no better 4-stroke crossover snowmobile out there.

Photo: Yamaha

No. 5
2015 Arctic Cat ZR 6000 RR
The ZR 6000 RR is just as responsive as always in any riding condition -- definitely a leading choice for enthusiasts who crave twisty trails full of jumps. The smartly calibrated suspension and the lightest chassis of the entire Arctic Cat family mostly explain this amazing performance. While primarily designed for aggressive riding, the ZR 6000 RR also shows some versatility in other forms of riding, earning it second place in the 2-stroke, high-performance segment.

Photo: Arctic Cat

No. 4
2015 Yamaha SRViper R-TX SE
As the sportiest, most agile, and most capable 4-stroke trail snowmobile ever built by Yamaha, the SRViper R-TX SE is another product of the excellent Arctic Cat-derived chassis (ProCross). It just misses the top step of the podium in the 4-stroke, high-performance segment... that its “cousin,” the Arctic Cat ZR 7000 El Tigré, occupies. 

Photo: Yamaha

No. 3
2015 Arctic Cat Pantera 7000
The Yamaha-Arctic Cat alliance is just as successful on the American side, especially when you look at the new Pantera 7000. Fans had eagerly been waiting for a Genesis engine/ProCross chassis combo in a touring sled. The 4-stroke 7000 C-TEC4 is a superb replacement for the old, Suzuki-sourced powerplant, featuring a specific intake system and clutch. It's a sportier operator than Yamaha's version, yet almost as smooth. Naturally, the Pantera 7000 becomes the queen of two-up touring snowmobiles.

Photo: Arctic Cat

No. 2
2015 Arctic Cat ZR 7000 El Tigré
While not the highest-performing snowmobile in the industry (both the ZR 9000 and ZR 8000 deliver more) and not the best racer in the Arctic Cat lineup (the ZR 7000 RR is thanks to a super-stiff suspension), the ZR 7000 El Tigré will allow anyone to showcase their full riding skills with a machine that's very safe and surprisingly comfortable given its ultra-sporty aspirations. It's a formidable heir to a long line of high-performance sleds dating back to the air-cooled El Tigré 440. The best engine/chassis package from Arctic Cat is good enough for first place in the 4-stroke, high-performance segment.

Photo: Arctic Cat

No. 1
2015 Ski-Doo MXZ X-RS 800
The lightest, fastest, and most technologically advanced trail sled on the market returns for 2015 with a new, second-generation RAS front suspension that combines with the renowned rMotion rear suspension to once again raise the bar in terms of performance on bumpy trails.

The REV-XS aluminum chassis remains a benchmark for lightweight, agility and control, while the Rotax 800R E-TEC twin-cylinder features a host of cutting-edge solutions including direct injection, exhaust noise reduction, electronic reverse, and more. The Ski-Doo MXZ X-RS 800 is not only the best 2-stroke, high-performance model available, but also the top snowmobile of 2015, period.

Photo: Ski-Doo