2013 Polaris Ranger XP 900 Review
- Updated: April 7, 2012
Throughout my childhood and the “growing up” years (or lack there of), I have spent most of my recreation time trying to go faster than the other guys on the track. For this reason, the RZR line of vehicles was a natural progression. As the old saying goes – “with age comes the cage”. Upon hearing that Polaris, again for 2013, was going to have us out to Great Falls, MT, all I could think about was roosting around the mountains on a new RZR XP 900.
A couple of weeks after I heard the news about Montana, we were notified by Polaris that the all new 2013 Ranger XP would have the 900 Pro Star engine in it. It was right then that we put two and two together. This was not going to be a RZR ride, but yet a Ranger XP 900 ride. I was greatly looking forward to seeing what the ProStar powerplant could do in the Ranger XP. Combining the durability, engineering, and aesthetics of the Ranger XP with the ridiculously efficient ProStar engine would make it perfectly suited to be a true dual purpose machine, one which would be perfectly at home on the trail as well as the farm. Montana would be the perfect place to see this machine work and play.
After a couple of missed flights, I finally arrived at the Great Falls airport. Immediately upon getting off of the plane, it was easily noticeable that I wasn’t in Alabama anymore. The great views and much cooler temperatures put me right in the mood to get my hands dirty and put the new Ranger XP’s to the test. It was a good thing, too. Since I was late, the whole crew rolled into the airport in a 47-passenger bus to pick me up. Yeah, I was “that guy”. Walking onto the bus brought out the sarcasm bred into most of my “editor friends”, but I guess I deserved that due to living all the way across the country and taking all day to get to Montana.
Following the bus trip to the ride site, we exited the bus to be face to face with a large pack of Ranger XP’s, one of which was hooked to a large dump truck via a tow chain, more on that later.
There was no better backdrop on Earth than the beautiful Montana mountains for the on-site presentation delivered by Polaris. Rural America is truly “Ranger Country”. Here are a few of the highlights from the all-new 2013 Ranger XP:
-All-New 875cc ProStar 900 Engine – 60 HP and 54 ft-lb
of torque
-Strongest clutch belt ever put in a Ranger vehicle
-All new chassis with a wheelbase increased by 5”
-New roll cage system built using extruded tubing. The new cage is specifically built to work with sealed cab enclosures. -Check out the video for a demo of how easy it is to install all new Lock & Ride® cab system.
-Driver’s side fuel fill – this may seem like a small feature to those of you who haven’t driven around the gas station trying to get your truck and trailer filled. Trust us, this is very much appreciated.
-Automotive-style intake manifold and throttle-by-wire for improved dynamic tuning
-1000 lb. bed load capacity
-Largest radiator of any Polaris vehicle
-Multiple limited edition models featuring power steering, built in audio with Bluetooth input, multiple speakers, and billet wheels
First Impression
I was amazingly impressed with the overall fit and finish of this all-new vehicle, and it’s going to be very hard for me to explain, in words, how well this vehicle has been designed. To really understand the significance of the engineering behind the new Ranger XP 900, you will need to go to your local dealer and see it for yourself. When you get there, pay special attention to the following:
-Common fasteners – Polaris went to special effort to reduce the number of different fasteners throughout the vehicle. This makes it much easier to keep your new Ranger XP 900 in tip-top shape.
-Easy access to the engine compartment – a quick flip of the bed latch raises the bed using the gas shock. Then, you have complete access to the engine, oil check/fill, clutch system, and more. No more removing a multitude of plastic panels to gain access to critical parts of the vehicle.
-Easy access to engine electronics – the ECU and diagnostics port is located under the passenger seat and can be accessed while sitting in the driver’s seat.
-Under-seat storage – flip up the seats and take a look at the room under the seat. It’s the perfect place for gloves, a small toolbox, and other common needs.
-I know I mentioned the Lock & Ride® cab system earlier, but you really need to see this in person to appreciate how innovative it is. The ability to apply a true seal to a windshield and doors will set this system apart from the rest.
Ride Review
Riding through the Montana mountains on a brand new Ranger XP 900 is a treat everyone should experience at some point in their lives. The suspension, handling, and power of this new vehicle quickly make you forget that this vehicle was built to be a utility machine. With the 66 HP provided by the ProStar engine, you will quickly find yourself carving lines through the turns and hammering the throttle. You will also forget that this vehicle is capable of carrying 1000 lbs. in the bed.
Gone are the days when you had to make a choice between utility and performance. The new Ranger XP definitely blends that gap nicely. It is not going to perform like a RZR XP, but it also going to provide true utility and enough power to literally tow a dump truck. You will need to watch the video to see this vehicle towing a full size dump truck, up an incline.
If you have need for a UTV, but still want to be able to get out and rip around the trails, this is definitely the vehicle for you. With all of the creature comforts available, this vehicle is sure to spoil you on the trail and around the farm.
This vehicle is yet another example of American ingenuity at work. It’s great to see American pride setting standards in the world. The 2013 Polaris Ranger XP 900 is now the standard, to which all others are measured, in the world of UTV’s.
For more on the Outrageously Innovative 2013 Polaris Ranger XP 900 and the many Pure Polaris accessories available for it click to www.polaris.com
