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I used to be driving a 2025 Polaris Ranger XP 1000 after I needed to decelerate, not for a rock or different typical impediment, however as a result of there was an ostrich on the street. The practically 6-foot chicken slowed our prepare of UTVs to a crawl because it adopted the street for over 100 yards. Lastly, the large chicken minimize off the path, disappearing into the dense brush as shortly because it had appeared. The entire sequence would have been uncommon if I didn’t already know I used to be in Texas.
My check journey 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 proper floor for testing UTVs. The situations have been dry, dusty, and sizzling. Over the hours I spent contained in the 2025 Ranger, it shortly turned obvious that Polaris didn’t got down to reinvent the wheel this yr. As a substitute, they centered totally on quality-of-life enhancements.
The end result? the smoothest-driving Ranger I’ve ever pushed. I used to be pleasantly stunned the primary time I put the machine into gear. After per week of testing, I can affirm the updates and new options Polaris added to its workhorse are effectively price it.
Fast Overview
Specs
- Weight: 1,437 lbs
- Dimensions: 120” x 66” x 79”
- Engine: 4-Stroke Twin Cylinder SOHC
- Transmission: Gen 2 Computerized PVT
- Horsepower: 82
- Floor Clearance: 12”
- Payload Capability: 1,500 Kilos
- Towing Capability: 2,500 Kilos
What’s Modified
A lot of the modifications to the 2025 Rangers are refined. 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 a further inch of floor clearance. One should look carefully to search out the opposite variations.
“We revamped 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 operate like an car. 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 the very 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 problem hitting the meant gear; it at all times felt crisp.
Trip and Steering
I discovered that the general journey within the 2025 Ranger XP 1000 was lots smoother. There’s noticeably much less vibration in the entire car. I really like the facility steering on this machine. It pairs completely with the transmission and is well the very best steering Polaris has ever placed on a Ranger. It’s by no means been this easy to nook. The return to heart characteristic provides it the texture of a contemporary pickup truck.
Mixed with the sleek transmission, this new Ranger rides a lot nearer to their crossover Common 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. Nonetheless, I need to admit that this machine is a completely comfy and fulfilling leisure journey.
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 easy journey. 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 journey progressed.
I observed the brand new 29-inch Professional Armor X-Terrain tires appear to have extra chunk to them. They felt far more aggressive on hill climbs and through quicker acceleration. Mixed with the respectable management system, it feels fairly safe happening steep hills.
The tires are 2 inches larger and supply just a little extra floor clearance. Nonetheless, the machine’s dimension received’t be as jolting to Ranger veterans because the XD 1500. In fact, I didn’t discover the tires have been barely extra outstanding 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. Nonetheless, 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 means into the inside. That’s not a problem 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.
One in every of my favourite updates within the cab is that the the facility window controls moved to the door. On earlier Rangers, Polaris at all times put the buttons within the heart console, much like a Jeep Wrangler. I’m not a Jeep driver, so I at all times discovered myself trying to find the controls on older fashions. Reaching over to the door as I’d in my truck feels far more intuitive.
Polaris additionally migrated the JBL Path Professional audio system over from the XD 1500. This sound system is a big improve in sound high quality from prior fashions.
Every thing 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 Trip Command show display stays a nifty and useful characteristic for navigating and speaking with others in your group. I used to be the second car in line throughout our journey and shortly misplaced the lead Ranger after I received caught behind the ostrich. A look on the map display helped me discover the place the lead car 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 through a guide deal with. This deal with is lots purposeful for many customers. Nonetheless, it could be laborious for anybody with bodily limitations to make use of. It makes me marvel why Polaris hasn’t standardized a manufacturing unit mannequin with an digital field carry like its opponents. I’m positive they’ve heard requests for a factory-installed digital dump, making it much more puzzling.
Exterior Options and Colours
I solely received to drive the Ranger 1000 Northstar Version on this journey. Nonetheless, 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 geared up with a Polaris winch and 4,500-pound artificial rope. These fitted with cab web doorways are up to date with a brand new single-latch connection system, making this door type extra manageable to make use of.
For 2025, Polaris has launched some new shade schemes—together with black. The engineers instructed me that the model has been hesitant to supply a black UTV due to the way it reveals mud and dirt. Nonetheless, as a result of standard demand, they lastly determined to introduce onyx black this yr. I believe the brand new blue slate metallic smoke scheme that I drove regarded very sharp in particular person.
After a multi-year absence, Polaris can also be bringing again the Ranger Crew XP 1000 Texas Version in customary and NorthStar configurations. These machines come absolutely decked out with full Trip Command and winch packages. They’re additionally supplied in a bronze pearl metallic shade scheme unique to the Texas Version.
Worth
It’s not a secret that the Ranger stays an costly machine. Nonetheless, 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 number of the engineers acknowledged the value factors throughout our occasion. They’ve heard the complaints earlier than. Sadly, they instructed me it’s troublesome to decrease the value with out sacrificing the standard of the elements and the elements.
Verdict
This new Polaris Northstar Version is well the very best I’ve ever pushed. The improved transmission, higher cab, and responsive steering make driving this machine a real pleasure. It’s laborious to consider how a lot Polaris has improved the standard of the journey in just some brief years. The brand new Ranger is one other winner worthy of a search for anybody looking for a machine able to work and play.
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