Get FinancingThe New Polaris Ranger XD 1500 UTV Rivals Compact Pickup Trucks In Hauling & Payload Capacity
Ever wish your UTV just had a little . . . more? More towing power, more seats, more payload capacity? Maybe even as much as a small 4x4 pickup truck, but without all the weight? Polaris is blazing a trail into this maxi-UTV niche with its all-new 2024 Ranger XD 1500.
“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,” says Polaris Vice President of Off Road Utility Chris Judson. “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.”
Going Big
Polaris says the Ranger XD 1500 is the industry’s first utility side-by-side with a 1,500-cc, 3-cylinder engine. At 110 horsepower (82 kilowatts) and 105 pounds-foot (142 newton-meters) of torque, the ProStar motor delivers 30% more power and over 50% more torque than its closest competitor, Polaris says.
“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 Polaris Off Road President Steve Menneto.
The Ranger XD 1500 also boasts a 1,500-pound (680-kilogram) cargo box capacity and a 3,500-lb (1,588-kg) tow rating, almost 40% more than other UTVs. The new Ranger seats three or six, with or without a cab, and with a choice of three trim levels and up to three colors.
SteelDrive Transmission
The new Ranger XD 1500 lets the operator choose one of four drive modes with various levels of throttle response and engine braking that tailor the vehicle for normal usage, a quieter ride, or sportier performance. There’s also a towing and hauling mode with enhanced torque and limited travel speed for coping with heavier loads.
Polaris touts the durability and precise control of the new Ranger’s SteelDrive automatic continuously variable transmission. The fully sealed, liquid-cooled transmission has a 100% steel belt and a long, 6,000-hour service interval. A Hill Assist feature keeps the UTV from rolling backward downhill during a climb. The transmission also helps the driver maintain control on the way back down.
The new XD 1500 has 50% more box volume than other Rangers and 160% more torsional stiffness in its rugged steel chassis. Its heavy-duty suspension has 12 inches (305 millimeters) of travel for a relatively smooth ride, especially with the longer wheelbase of the 6-seat models. Arched A-arms and 15 in. (381 mm) of ground clearance help the new Ranger keep going over rocky patches and fallen branches. Polaris boosted the XD 1500’s brake system and engineered the new UTV for durability and a longer service life.
Inner Space
All trim levels of the Ranger XD 1500 come with a telescoping steering wheel and adjustable seats with bolsters. Heated seats are available in another industry first, according to Polaris. The interior provides more leg and shoulder room and easier entry and exit. The vehicle’s middle seats fold down to become armrests with additional cupholders.
Polaris has announced more than 70 new accessories for the Ranger XD 1500, many of which use the company’s proprietary Lock & Ride Max accessory attachment system. The UTV is also compatible with many third-party accessory options from brands including Rhino Rack, Pro Armor, Kolpin, and HD Parts. Polaris sells its largest snowplow for the new Ranger, an 84-in. (2.13-meter) Glacier Pro HD unit. It’s available with a hydraulic plow lift and angle kit and a new plow controller.
Trim Levels
Polaris offers the 2024 Ranger XD 1500 in 3-seat standard or 6-seat Crew editions. Its entry-level trim package is the open-air Ranger XD 1500 Premium with 29-in. (737-mm) Pro Armor X-Terrain tires and the largest bumper on the market. Available in Turbo Silver, the base model has high-output LED headlights, a tilt steering column, and seat sliders along with USB ports with multiple charging capabilities.
The two NorthStar trim levels denote Ranger XD 1500s with a fully enclosed, premium ProShield cab with improved sealing against dust and water. The NorthStar Premium Edition model has a heating and air conditioning system with an interior air recirculation setting. Its full doors are lockable and feature power windows. The tilt bed in the rear of the vehicle is also powered and can dump out sand, dirt, and other heavy loads. A rear work lamp sheds light on the cargo box. Available in Sunset Red as well as in Turbo Silver, the NorthStar Premium relies on 30-in. (762-mm), 8-ply Kenda CrossTrail tires with 32-in. (813-mm) tires available. Its Pro HD Winch with Rapid Rope Recovery has 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg) of pulling power.
The flagship Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Edition Ultimate comes with standard heated seats and a third color scheme option, Polaris Pursuit Camo. Its JBL Trail Pro 2000 Audio system can be upfitted with rear speakers and two subwoofers. A 7-in. infotainment display supports Polaris’ Ride Command technology, which combines a backup camera, a radio with Bluetooth streaming support, and GPS navigation that works even where there is no cell tower signal. The Ride Command+ upgrade option lets the owner use a mobile app to track the NorthStar Ultimate’s location, vehicle health, and maintenance schedule with service reminders. The machine’s windshield is a tip-out style in contrast with the NorthStar Premium’s glass windscreen, which is fixed in place. D-rings on the bumper and a top bar round out the Ultimate package.
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Source: Polaris