I want to begin this review by acknowledging that I am not a farmer and have no experience with tasks such as mending fences or baling hay. Despite this, I believe that the new Polaris Ranger 1500 XD (Extreme Duty) side-by-side could greatly simplify these types of jobs.
During my initial drive at the Three Forks ranch, located on the border of Wyoming and Colorado, I had the opportunity to test out the top-of-the-line NorthStar Ultimate trim. While there are also Premium and NorthStar Premium trims available, the Ultimate trim starts at approximately $45,000 and comes fully enclosed with a cold-blowing HVAC system, heated seats for winter use, a 7-inch touchscreen, JBL sound system, and 30-inch tires that can be upgraded to 32-inches.
Driving this vehicle feels similar to driving a small truck, although it does not come equipped with standard sun visors, which must be purchased separately. Regardless of the trim, this UTV offers impressive work specifications. It is capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds, which is comparable to a Ford Bronco, and has a 1,705-pound hauling capacity in the bed. The base Premium model can handle just over 2,000 pounds of payload, but only the top two trims include a power tilting bed for easily unloading items weighing just over 2,000 pounds.
During the first part of my drive, I was able to explore the ranch and take advantage of the 15 inches of ground clearance and 12 inches of suspension travel. We cruised around with the air conditioning blasting and the music turned up. The Ranger XD features an industry-exclusive steel-belted continuously variable transmission, which not only eliminates the risk of a belt breaking while on the trail but also makes the vehicle extremely easy to drive.
Polaris guarantees that the steel belt will last for the life of the vehicle, and the only maintenance required is changing the fluid and filter every 6,000 miles. From a driving perspective, the vehicle is quiet and shifting gears is effortless, although I did have to push the lever away from me to switch into Drive instead of towards me. It does not have a low gear, but there are a few different drive modes. I primarily drove in Standard mode, which offered decent throttle response and enough engine braking on downhill slopes so that I didn’t need to rely on the brakes. Comfort mode dulls the throttle too much for my liking, but Sport mode allows for higher revs and eliminates engine braking. However, it’s important to note that this UTV is not designed for racing. With 110 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque, I was able to reach 60 mph on a graded dirt road but shouldn’t expect rapid acceleration.
Our ride leaders advised us to switch to Tow/Haul mode when descending a steep hill. Although I wasn’t actually towing anything, this mode maximizes engine torque for climbing and acts similarly to a low gear. It also includes a hill start assist feature for added security. When I stopped halfway up the hill and took my feet off the pedals, the vehicle remained in place, although it did prompt me to shift into Park. Polaris explained that this feature is designed to prevent people from walking away from the Ranger while it’s still in gear. I simply stepped on the throttle again and the UTV continued up the hill. The Three Forks ranch is home to 9,000 head of cattle, and during our drive, the animals mostly kept their distance from us. However, one cow decided she wanted to join her friends on the other side of the trail and ran out in front of me. I hit the brakes, and the enhanced braking system quickly brought the vehicle to a stop. While Bessy strolled away, giving me a bit of a side-eye, I had a mini heart attack. It seems I still have some work to do when it comes to herding cows.
Overall, the ride quality of the Ranger XD is excellent, easily absorbing bumps and rocks at speeds that would slow down a mid-size truck significantly. Narrow trails are not a problem for this 64-inch-wide UTV. In fact, at one point, I thought I had taken a wrong turn because the trail was so overgrown with bushes and small trees. Compared to the 11-inch-wider Toyota Tacoma, which would likely accumulate scratches in such a situation, the Ranger XD handled it with ease. There were no squeaks or rattles throughout my drive, and best of all, thanks to the enclosed cabin, my clothes and face remained free of dust. The Ranger XD can accommodate up to six people, but the larger individuals should sit in the outboard seats. The middle seats are better suited for people under 5-foot-10. A downside is that having a third person up front means losing two cupholders and some storage space, but there are still two cupholders just below, as well as several rubberized cubbies and nets for storage. Additionally, there is underseat storage, two gloveboxes, and a special cubby for the driver’s cell phone.
My complaints about the Polaris Ranger 1500 XD are minimal. First, the seats are extremely uncomfortable. They are hard and too short in the seat, causing my legs to feel unsupported. Of course, ergonomics can be subjective, but personally, I would want more padding if I were to spend long hours behind the wheel. My other issue is with the rear locker. When it’s unlocked, the indicator light remains on, which is a bit confusing. However, in order to engage the locker, I need to release the throttle and be traveling at a speed below 13 mph. The engagement is not immediate, and each time I tried it, the Ranger essentially came to a stop. Additionally, the button to engage the locker is located to the left of the steering wheel and is somewhat difficult to see. My advice is to stop the vehicle before engaging the locker, or else it can feel like you’re trying to do too many things at once. But let’s remember that the primary focus here is on towing. With just 105 pound-feet of torque, I was initially skeptical of the Ranger XD’s towing capability. However, Polaris had set up a trailer with what appeared to be enough hay to feed 20 horses, and with the drive mode selector in Tow/Haul, the vehicle effortlessly pulled the load. In addition to maximizing engine torque, Tow/Haul mode also limits speed, but the enhanced brakes made stopping the loaded trailer relatively easy. The steel-belted transmission also offered precise throttle control while I backed up the trailer. It would be difficult to achieve such accurate power regulation with a rubber-belt CVT. If you know that towing and hauling will be your primary tasks, the rear suspension is adjustable. By moving the rear shocks outboard slightly and tightening the springs, you can achieve a stiffer ride at the back. While my test vehicle was not modified in this manner, I found the ride to be perfectly fine. That being said, having the option to adjust the suspension is certainly a nice feature.
According to Polaris, there are over 70 accessories available for the Polaris Ranger 1500 XD, including packages specifically designed for ranching, farming, and hunting. I was particularly impressed with the Lock and Ride cargo system, which allows for easy attachment of items such as shovels or recovery boards. Other available accessories include front and rear winches, a snow plow, and the previously mentioned sun visors. I didn’t have much time to explore the Ride Command system, but I did notice a few standout features. The 7-inch touchscreen display shows the speedometer, battery status, and engine temperature, but the most useful feature is undoubtedly the navigation system. It allows drivers to connect with others in their group, making it easy to keep track of everyone’s location. At one point, I received a message from the lead vehicle sent to all the UTVs in our group. This is a fantastic feature to have when there is no cell service or other means of communication.
In conclusion, it’s difficult to understand why any rancher or farmer would purchase a new mid-size work truck instead of the Polaris Ranger 1500 XD. While it may not be capable of transporting horses, it can handle many of the tasks typically performed by a mid-size truck while also maneuvering easily in tight spaces and quickly traversing rough terrain. With over 70 accessories available, there are countless ways to customize the Ranger XD to suit individual needs.