Yahoo Autos 2024 Polaris Ranger XD 1500 Review: Could this side-by-side replace your pickup truck?
THREE FORKS RANCH, Wyoming — I’d like to start this review with a caveat. I’m not a farmer. I’ve never mended a fence or baled a hay or uttered the phrase, “Git along little dogies,” while trying to herd a fleet or whatever of cows into the corral. Despite this, I imagine the new Polaris Ranger Extreme Duty 1500 side-by-side can make all those things much easier to do.
At a first drive at the Three Forks ranch on the border of Wyoming and Colorado – the state line literally goes right through the front pasture – I get to sample a tippy top NorthStar Ultimate. While Premium and NorthStar Premium trims are available, this Ultimate trim starts at right around $45,000, is fully enclosed and features a cold-blowing HVAC system, heated seats for winter time, a 7-inch touchscreen, JBL sound system and 30-inch tires with the possibility to upsize to 32-inches. I’m basically driving a little truck, albeit without standard sun visors. Those are an accessory.
Regardless of trim this little UTV comes with some impressive work specs. It can tow 3,500 pounds – about as much as a Ford Bronco – and can haul 1,705 pounds in the bed. The base Premium gets a payload of just over 2,000 pounds but only the top two trims include a power tilting bed to easily dump whatever weighed just over 2,000 pounds. The first part of my drive is a look-see of the ranch. Here I get to exploit the 15 inches of ground clearance and 12 inches of suspension travel as we cruise around, air conditioning and tunes cranked to equally sky-high levels.
The Ranger XD has an industry-exclusive steel-belted continuously variable transmission. Not only does this eliminate the fear of throwing a belt while out on the trail, it means the Ranger is extremely easy to drive. Polaris says the steel belt will last for the life of the vehicle. The only servicing buyers will have to do on the transmission is change the fluid and filter every 6,000 miles.
From a driving perspective it’s quieter and it’s easier to shift into gear, although I have to push the lever away from me to get into Drive instead of towards me. There is no low gear but there are a few drive modes. Most of my drive is done in Standard, which has a decent throttle response and enough engine braking on the downhills that I don’t have to ride the brakes. Comfort mutes the throttle too much and I hate it, but Sport mode allows for higher revs and no engine braking. Make no mistake though – this isn’t a racing UTV. With 110 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque, I see 60 mph on a graded dirt road, but don’t expect blistering acceleration.
Our ride leaders tell us to switch to Tow/Haul mode at the bottom of a steep hill. No, I’m not dragging a trailer, but this mode maximizes engine torque for climbing, acting a little bit like a low gear. What’s more, it allows for a secure hill start assist. Half way up, I stop and take my feet off the pedals. The rig remains stuck in place, although it encourages me to shift into Park. Polaris says this is to keep folks from walking away from the Ranger while it’s still in gear. Me, I just get back on the throttle and the UTV keeps on trucking up the hill.
The Three Forks is a working ranch with 9,000 head of cattle. On our drive they keep a cautious distance away, except for one. She decides she must join her friends on the other side of the trail and runs out in front of me. I hit the brakes and the boosted system slows my tester confidently. I have a bit of a heart attack while ol’ Bessy saunters away, giving me just a touch of side eye. I am still not gittin’ along with the little dogies, apparently.
