Jump to content

Long Term Review - Polaris RANGER XP900 - Part One


Recommended Posts

Posted

I live in IL and they hate us off roaders here. :(

 

I'm in the market right now looking at a UTV. I'm all over the place with them right now though. Some days I want a Ranger and some days I want a RZR. The only thing holding me back from a Ranger is the seating position. It is very upright where the RZR sits more like a car with nicely bolstered bucket seats and a lower stance behind the wheel.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

I live in IL and they hate us off roaders here. :(

 

I'm in the market right now looking at a UTV. I'm all over the place with them right now though. Some days I want a Ranger and some days I want a RZR. The only thing holding me back from a Ranger is the seating position. It is very upright where the RZR sits more like a car with nicely bolstered bucket seats and a lower stance behind the wheel.

What would you use it for most? Trail riding or property work? If it's trail riding, get the RZR. If to help for work on your property, get the RANGER.

  • 1 month later...
Posted

 

attachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_43.jpg

By: Zane & Josh Merva

GM-Trucks.com

 

We all love our pickup trucks. No matter the job, our trusty Sierra has never let us down. Our only complaint is that a full-size truck is, well, full sized. There are some projects that need a smaller set of tools. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a “pickup truck for your property?” We’ve found out, there actually is. The Polaris RANGER.

 

attachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_09.jpgattachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_18.jpg

 

A new generation of off-road vehicles

Growing up in New Hampshire we loved riding our 1990’s 300CC Arctic Cat ATV around the numerous logging trails, powerlines, and abandoned roads in the area. Needless to say, we wasted many hours and days beating the absolute heck out of that all terrain vehicle; all of them with a huge smile on our faces.

 

So when we had the opportunity to drive a new generation of Polaris off-road vehicles last September in New York, all those good feelings came rushing back. We also felt a little overwhelmed as these types of machines have come a long way in two decades. Just like today’s automobiles, the days of carbureted engines are over. Today’s all terrain and utility terrain vehicles are computer controlled and more capable than ever.

 

attachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_30.jpgattachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_36.jpg

 

After trying out the entire line of Polaris off-road vehicles we instantly fell in love with the company’s lineup of side by side vehicles Truck Lettering Bronx. Arguably the new hotness in the all-terrain market, side by side all-terrain-vehicles provide the seating, steering and driving experience we all know from driving a car. No more handlebars or saddle-style seating required. In some states you can even drive side by sides on the roads.

 

The company offers three distinct side by side machines; the RZR (pronounced “razer”), the Ace, and the RANGER . While the RZR and Ace are targeted to the sport and trail riding segments, the RANGER is different. It looks like an ATV, drives like a side by side, but also has a dumping cargo box and pickup truck like capabilities. In our mind, that’s a perfect combination and we knew we had to have one.

 

attachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_01.jpgattachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_16.jpg

 

Over the winter we made our pitch to Polaris. Send us a RANGER for a few weeks and we’ll give the world our honest opinion. The company did one better and six weeks ago in late May we took delivery of our brand new Long Term 2015 Polaris RANGER XP900 from HK Powersports in Hooksett, New Hampshire. For the next few months we’ll be sharing with your our “ownership” experience and from Van Lettering Bronx.

 

Meet the RANGER

So, what is a Polaris RANGER and what can it do for you? Officially, a RANGER is a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV). It seats three people in a side by side configuration, has a proper steering wheel, and uses a typical gas/brake setup for control. It also has seat belts and features a R.O.P.S compliant safety cage.

 

attachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_12.jpgattachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_21.jpg

 

The RANGER XP900 is powered by a 68-horsepower two-cylinder engine and has three mode selectable four-wheel drive. With lugged off-road tires, the RANGER promises the ability to travel and work nearly anywhere. Our long term tester is even equipped with electronic power steering to cut down on fatigue.

 

attachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_22.jpgattachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_17.jpg

 

On the trail or at the farm, our RANGER seems ready to work or play. The large cargo box and a real hitch receiver give you the flexibility to haul up to 1,500lbs or tow up to 2,000lbs. We’ve already started to use these abilities on some overdue projects around the house and our neighborhood.

 

attachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_38.jpgattachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_39.jpg

 

Ownership So Far

We’ve been riding our RANGER for the last six weeks. What we enjoy the most so far is the absolute versability this vehicle offers. From cleaning up fallen trees to blowing off some steam on the trails, the RANGER has done everything we’ve asked and begged for more.

 

Here’s what we’ve been up to:

  • Cleaned up pine logs from fallen trees
  • Recreational riding on unimproved open access roads
  • Volunteering to rake community beaches with a York Rake
  • Commuting to work (yes, we did it!)

attachicon.gif2015-06-06 08.15.56.jpg attachicon.gif2015-05-22 17.31.50.jpg

 

Over the next few weeks we’re excited to share with you the ways we’re using and owning our Polaris RANGER. That means we’ll cover the good and the bad.

 

As our long term test continues we’ll investigate the true utility capabilities of the RANGER by using it around our property. We’ll then investigate the recreational aspect of RANGER ownership by trailering it to a public ATV park for a fun weekend getaway.

 

attachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_41.jpgattachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_42.jpg

 

Stay tuned as part two of our Polaris RANGER Long Term test comes at you soon!

 

As Tested Details - 2015 Polaris RANGER XP900 EPS

attachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_02.jpgattachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_47.jpg

Manufacturer Website

Price: $15,299

Color: Sunset Red w/upgrade package

Engine Type: 4-stroke Prostar twin cylinder producing 68-horsepower

Displacement: 875cc

Transmission: Automatic PTV with High, Low, Neutral, Reverse, Park

Drive System: On-Demand all-wheel-drive, 2WD, and 1WD VersaTrac Turf Mode

 

Front/Rear Suspension: Dual A-Arm with 10-inches of travel

Front Tires: 25 x 10-12; 489

Rear Tires: 25 x 11-12; 489

 

Wheelbase: 81-inches

Dry Weight: 1,325 lbs

Overall Size: 116.5-inches x 60-inches x 72-inches (L X W X H)

Ground Clearance: 12-inches

Cargo Box Size: 36.5-inches x 54-inches x 11.5-inches (L X W X H)

 

Fuel Capacity: 10 gallons

Total Payload: 1,500lbs

Cargo Box Capacity: 1,000 lbs

Hitch Towing Rating: 2,000lbs

Other notable features: Digital gauge cluster, speedometer, odometer, tachometer, trip meter, hour meter, clock, two 12-volt DC power outlets, waterproof storage, adjustable steering wheel, sliding driver's seat, dump cargo box

attachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_27.jpgattachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_31.jpg

attachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_40.jpgattachicon.gif2015PolarisRANGERXP900_33.jpg

 

Its really awesome man!

very good review i was looking forward to buy one.

Posted

What would you use it for most? Trail riding or property work? If it's trail riding, get the RZR. If to help for work on your property, get the RANGER.

 

Ended up getting a XP 1000 and love it!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • I’m definitely interested to hear the end result here. 
    • My 2025 Silverado 1500 had to receive a brand-new engine (long block) under warranty last month at only around 16,500 miles. Before the replacement, the truck repeatedly displayed "Engine Oil Level Low" warnings, even though the Oil Life Monitor still showed around 50% remaining after about 6,000 miles since my last oil change. After seeing the warning several times, I checked the dipstick with the engine cold, and the oil level was completely normal. The next day, the message escalated to "Add Engine Oil." At first, I assumed it was just a faulty oil level sensor, so I brought the truck to the dealership. After inspecting the engine, they found internal cylinder wall scoring and ultimately replaced the entire long block under warranty. Before this happened, I was planning to install a 4-inch lift and suspension upgrade on my truck. After needing a new engine at just 16,500 miles, I honestly don't see the point anymore. I also contacted GM to ask whether my vehicle qualified for a buyback, but I was informed that it does not at this time. Anyway, this experience has left me with serious concerns about the long-term reliability of this engine. I sincerely hope NHTSA expands the current investigation or recall to include 2025 model and performs a thorough inspection of affected vehicles. My biggest concern is that these engines may fail shortly after the powertrain warranty expires. If GM truly stands behind this engine, then at the very least, please consider extending the powertrain warranty to 10 years for affected owners. That would go a long way toward restoring customer confidence.
    • Without exception but then I'm the odd duck, right? I know what goes into that test, how it is calculated and thus how to beat it. But EPA values are often not beaten by the general public and the government has in past years adjusted the means and methods to come to those values to more closely approximate "Joe Average".    The only real trick to beating that EPA average is don't drive like "Joe Average".    It's the same method you used to profit from "Economic Migration" and in doing so beat the 'stats'. But you, like me, are not "Joe Average".     The thing you don't seem to grasp is this "Purchasing Power Index" isn't forward looking. It doesn't predict what it going to be but looks backward and states what it was. They are not telling us what the THINK, they are telling us what they MEASURED. Example:    Wife says "I'm going to lose 40 pounds by Christmas". May she does, maybe she doesn't but the doctors office who weighed her when she made that statement and again at Christmas only REPORTS what the RESULT was. You and I can banter about what was possible and what aunt Tilly did till the cows come home but the result is the result. Arguing otherwise is.....irrational. That's all I'm saying. This isn't about:      What you are calling a 'Statistic' is a RESULT not a CALCUATION and as a result the RULE. Like gravity as a rule, it can not be broken. 
    • Just wanted to say thank you for posting this. Years later, your thread is still helping Silverado owners.   I bought my 2025 Silverado 1500 in January 2025, and I've had what feels like the exact same rattle since day one. After reading your findings, I believe my truck has the same issue with the cable carrier contacting the rear sliding window. To be honest, I had pretty much given up on pursuing the issue. It wasn't until I recently drove another brand's pickup that I realized just how quiet their cabin was—and how noisy mine has been all along. On my truck, the rattle happens on almost any paved road, gets even worse on rougher pavement, and I can even hear it during braking and acceleration.   I actually referenced your thread when submitting my case to GM, hoping they'll recognize this as a recurring issue instead of treating it as an isolated incident. The reason I reached out to GM first is because my dealership told me they would need to keep the truck for at least two days just to diagnose the problem. I was concerned that even after two days, they still might not be able to identify the source of the rattle before giving the truck back to me. I had also asked a few dealerships about this issue during previous service visits, but none of them seemed to know what was causing it or had a solution. That's why I decided to contact GM directly first, hoping they might already have an official repair procedure or guidance for this issue.   I also hope GM eventually comes up with an official fix for this problem. I have a feeling there are many Silverado owners experiencing the same rattle, but most either choose to live with it or simply don't know what the cause is.   Really appreciate you taking the time to document your diagnosis. Your post is still making a difference years later.
    • I have 2 choices. 
  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...