Polaris Unveils Truck-like Ranger UTV
On July 30, Polaris introduced a new class of utility vehicles at its dealer meeting in Nashville, Tenn. Polaris representatives said that more than 2,500 dealers were in attendance for the three-day dealer event, a first of its kind since before the pandemic. The all-new and truck-like Ranger XD 1500 stole the show.
“We spent over five years meeting with farmers, ranchers, large acreage property owners and big game hunters to develop an extreme-duty vehicle that was missing from the market,” says Steve Menneto, president of Polaris Off-Road. “From its ProStar 1,500cc engine to the industry’s only Steeldrive transmission, Ranger XD 1500 is unlike anything else offered today and is yet another example of our relentless commitment to advancing the industry with fresh thinking and innovative solutions that meet the real-world needs of our utility customers.”
The Ranger XD is the first UTV to feature a 1,500cc 3-cylinder engine that comes in at 110 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque, mated to an automotive-grade, sealed steel belt transmission for greater durability on the job.
“Polaris Ranger has been the No. 1 selling utility side-by-side brand for more than 15 years and with the introduction of Ranger Extreme Duty, we’ve taken the industry’s hardest-working lineup and expanded it,” says Chris Judson, vice president of Off-Road Utility. “A segment of our utility customers said they are facing exceptionally large tasks and they simply need a machine with more power, more torque, more hauling and towing capacity, and more durability. And our team set out to deliver just that, incorporating dozens of new features and the latest engineering to make the Ranger XD 1500 more capable, stronger, and more comfortable than any other utility side-by-side out there.”
Towing and Hauling
Farmers, ranchers, and large landowners routinely haul and tow heavy loads around the property, and Polaris says they’ve been asking for solutions to handle these tasks. Polaris says it designed the Ranger XD to allow utility customers to haul more, tow more, and get more done with 30 percent more power than comparable models.
A three-quarter ton box capacity provides nearly 50 percent more box volume than existing models for maximum productivity with fewer trips and bigger loads. For those routinely towing heavy loads on the property, drive better productivity with nearly 40 percent more towing than existing models. All Ranger XD 1500 models get 15 inches of ground clearance with high-clearance arched A-arms to overcome large obstacles.
Durability
Utility customers asked Polaris for a more durable, longer-lasting machine to maximize their uptime and drive efficiency. Designed to last longer, the Ranger XD 1500 is the company’s most durable utility side-by-side to date, which has been engineered from the ground up to be stronger and stand up to the demands of big jobs.
The new transmission features a 100 percent steel-constructed belt that delivers smooth, precise operation and a fully sealed, liquid-cooled design. The design allows for maximum durability and longevity with less maintenance than a rubber belt.
Premium Comfort
Equipped with a spacious and premium cab available in utility side-by-sides, the XD 1500 offers increased leg and shoulder room, making it easy to enter and exit the vehicle. Adjustable seating and a telescopic steering wheel lets drivers find the perfect fit for height and riding preferences. For comfort on the coldest days, riders can fire up the vehicle’s heated seats, a first on a utility side-by-side from the factory.
Riders can stay comfortable in harsh weather conditions in the Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Edition, featuring an all-new HVAC system and a fully enclosed, ProShield cab that’s been redesigned with improved sealing to prevent dust and water intrusion while locking in the temperature from the climate-controlled cab.
An available 7-in. waterproof touchscreen display powered by Ride Command technology featuring a backup camera, GPS navigation regardless of cell service, and AM/FM radio with Bluetooth streaming capability. Customers can keep tabs on their vehicle directly from the Ride Command Polaris App and access critical vehicle information like vehicle location, maintenance reminders, and vehicle diagnostics.
All these features and performance come at a price. The 2024 Polaris Ranger XD 1500 carries a starting MSRP of $29,999 ($36,199, Canada), and travels as high as $44,999 ($54,499, Canada). The 2024 Ranger XD 1500 lineup is expected to begin shipping to dealers in late summer.
