2025 Polaris Ranger XP 1000 Overview: We Examined the Facet-by-Facet

I used to be driving a 2025 Polaris Ranger XP 1000 once I needed to decelerate, not for a rock or different typical impediment, however as a result of there was an ostrich on the highway. The practically 6-foot fowl slowed our practice of UTVs to a crawl because it adopted the highway for over 100 yards. Lastly, the large fowl lower off the path, disappearing into the dense brush as rapidly because it had appeared. The entire sequence would have been uncommon if I didn’t already know I used to be in Texas.

My take a look at trip of the brand new Polaris Ranger NorthStar rig occurred on the Ox Ranch in Uvalde. With over 18,000 acres of rocky west Texas terrain, it proved the right floor for testing UTVs. The circumstances have been dry, dusty, and scorching. Over the hours I spent contained in the 2025 Ranger, it rapidly grew to become obvious that Polaris didn’t got down to reinvent the wheel this yr. As a substitute, they targeted totally on quality-of-life enhancements.

The outcome? the smoothest-driving Ranger I’ve ever pushed. I used to be pleasantly shocked the primary time I put the machine into gear. After per week of testing, I can verify the updates and new options Polaris added to its workhorse are properly value it.

Fast Overview

Specs

• Weight: 1,437 lbs
• Dimensions: 120” x 66” x 79”
• Engine: 4-Stroke Twin Cylinder SOHC
• Transmission: Gen 2 Automated PVT
• Horsepower: 82
• Floor Clearance: 12”
• Payload Capability: 1,500 Kilos
• Towing Capability: 2,500 Kilos

What’s Modified

Many of the adjustments to the 2025 Rangers are delicate. At first, I didn’t discover the entrance hood and grill redesign. The entrance grill is smaller and appears extra aggressive. These machines have the identical 999cc, 4-stroke twin-cylinder engine. The horsepower, weight, dimensions, gasoline capability, tow ranking, and payload capability are similar to final yr’s fashions. Probably the most notable outward look change right here is the beefed-up 29-inch tires that give an extra inch of floor clearance. One should look intently to search out the opposite variations. 

“We remodeled 100 enhancements to this full-size lineup over the previous few years,” Polaris’ Ranger Product Supervisor Chris Hendricks mentioned throughout a quick presentation. “We’ve made much more for 25.”

Polaris utterly redesigned the transmission system and energy steering, giving them a return-to-center perform like an vehicle. A brand new bumper is already pre-drilled for accent integration, and all of the seals on the cab doorways have been redesigned. 

Testing Outcomes and Evaluation

Transmission

Final yr, I discovered the Polaris claims of one-finger shifting with the Ranger XD 1500 barely exaggerated. Transferring the stick remains to be not that simple, however this up to date Gen 2 transmission is one of the best Polaris has constructed but. Particularly, Polaris added extra bushings and bearings and beefed up the shift forks. Additionally they made among the shaft grooves extra exact. Subsequently, there’s much less play within the shift lever. Moreover, the lever is barely extra vertical on these new machines. It’s smoother and extra accessible to shift from park to excessive gear than earlier fashions. I by no means had a difficulty hitting the meant gear; it at all times felt crisp.  

Journey and Steering

I discovered that the general trip within the 2025 Ranger XP 1000 was loads smoother. There may be noticeably much less vibration in the entire automobile. I really like the ability steering on this machine. It pairs completely with the transmission and is well one of the best steering Polaris has ever placed on a Ranger. It’s by no means been this easy to nook. The return to heart characteristic offers it the texture of a contemporary pickup truck. 

Mixed with the sleek transmission, this new Ranger rides a lot nearer to their crossover Normal than ever earlier than. The Ranger has at all times been Polaris’s workhorse mannequin. I’ve beforehand heard different powersports writers dismiss any consolation issue for this machine. Nevertheless, I have to admit that this machine is a totally comfy and pleasurable leisure trip. 

Suspension and Tires

There isn’t a lot so as to add about both of those options. The twin A-arm suspension nonetheless makes for an extremely clean trip. This machine floats over smaller ruts and bumps like they aren’t even there, and we discovered loads of these all through the Ox Ranch because the trip progressed.

I seen the brand new 29-inch Professional Armor X-Terrain tires appear to have extra chunk to them. They felt way more aggressive on hill climbs and through sooner acceleration. Mixed with the respectable management system, it feels fairly safe happening steep hills. 

The tires are 2 inches larger and provide a bit of extra floor clearance. Nevertheless, the machine’s measurement received’t be as jolting to Ranger veterans because the XD 1500. In fact, I didn’t discover the tires have been barely extra distinguished till the engineers pointed it out. The additional floor clearance was wonderful on the rougher elements of the path and the water crossings we hit. 

Cab Options

The general design of the inside hasn’t modified a lot. Nevertheless, Polaris’ engineers nailed the redesign of all of the door seams. Whereas the NorthStar cab system has at all times been sound, tiny bits of mud appeared to at all times discover their manner into the inside. That’s not a difficulty anymore. These rubber seams are noticeably thicker and seal shut with authority. The variable compressor and cabin filter on the AC system assist with that, too. I used to be shocked at how clear the cab was on the finish of the day.

Certainly one of my favourite updates within the cab is that the the ability window controls moved to the door. On earlier Rangers, Polaris at all times put the buttons within the heart console, just like a Jeep Wrangler. I’m not a Jeep driver, so I at all times discovered myself looking for the controls on older fashions. Reaching over to the door as I might in my truck feels way more intuitive. 

Polaris additionally migrated the JBL Path Professional audio system over from the XD 1500. This sound system is a major improve in sound high quality from prior fashions.  

All the things else within the cab ought to really feel acquainted to veteran Polaris drivers. The flat bench seat is comfy and simple to slip throughout. The wiper, lights, and drive mode controls are nonetheless simple to function. The 7-inch Journey Command show display screen stays a nifty and useful characteristic for navigating and speaking with others in your group. I used to be the second automobile in line throughout our trip and rapidly misplaced the lead Ranger once I obtained caught behind the ostrich. A look on the map display screen helped me discover the place the lead automobile turned off on the subsequent junction. 

Dump Field

I’m nonetheless not thrilled with the dump field mechanism. It’s a piston-operated mattress that dumps by way of a guide deal with. This deal with is a lot practical for many customers. Nevertheless, it is perhaps exhausting for anybody with bodily limitations to make use of. It makes me surprise why Polaris hasn’t standardized a manufacturing facility mannequin with an digital field raise like its opponents. I’m certain they’ve heard requests for a factory-installed digital dump, making it much more puzzling. 

Exterior Options and Colours

I solely obtained to drive the Ranger 1000 Northstar Version on this journey. Nevertheless, Polaris showcased different 2025 fashions on the ranch. This yr, equipment are largely standardized. All of the 1000 and XP 1000 fashions will now have a redesigned roof and are available outfitted with a Polaris winch and 4,500-pound artificial rope. These fitted with cab internet doorways are up to date with a brand new single-latch connection system, making this door model extra manageable to make use of.

For 2025, Polaris has launched some new colour schemes—together with black. The engineers informed me that the model has been hesitant to supply a black UTV due to the way it exhibits mud and dust. Nevertheless, as a consequence of in style demand, they lastly determined to introduce onyx black this yr. I believe the brand new blue slate metallic smoke scheme that I drove seemed very sharp in particular person.

After a multi-year absence, Polaris can be bringing again the Ranger Crew XP 1000 Texas Version in commonplace and NorthStar configurations. These machines come absolutely decked out with full Journey Command and winch packages. They’re additionally supplied in a bronze pearl metallic colour scheme unique to the Texas Version. 

Value

It’s not a secret that the Ranger stays an costly machine. Nevertheless, I see this as extra of a symptom of the occasions than Polaris jacking up the value. In fact, the value is corresponding to opponents’ machines with most of the similar options. A few of the engineers acknowledged the value factors throughout our occasion. They’ve heard the complaints earlier than. Sadly, they informed me it’s tough to decrease the value with out sacrificing the standard of the elements and the parts. 

Verdict

This new Polaris Northstar Version is well one of the best I’ve ever pushed. The improved transmission, higher cab, and responsive steering make driving this machine a real pleasure. It’s exhausting to consider how a lot Polaris has improved the standard of the trip in only a few quick years. The brand new Ranger is one other winner worthy of a search for anybody searching for a machine able to work and play. 

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