THREE FORKS RANCH, Wyoming — I’d like to start out this overview with a caveat. I’m not a farmer. I’ve by no means mended a fence or baled a hay or uttered the phrase, “Git alongside little dogies,” whereas making an attempt to herd a fleet or no matter of cows into the corral. Regardless of this, I think about the brand new Polaris Ranger Excessive Obligation 1500 side-by-side could make all these issues a lot simpler to do.
At a primary drive on the Three Forks ranch on the border of Wyoming and Colorado – the state line actually goes proper by way of the entrance pasture – I get to pattern a tippy prime NorthStar Final. Whereas Premium and NorthStar Premium trims can be found, this Final trim begins at proper round $45,000, is totally enclosed and contains a cold-blowing HVAC system, heated seats for winter time, a 7-inch touchscreen, JBL sound system and 30-inch tires with the chance to upsize to 32-inches. I’m principally driving just a little truck, albeit with out commonplace solar visors. These are an adjunct.
No matter trim this little UTV comes with some spectacular work specs. It may well tow 3,500 kilos – about as a lot as a Ford Bronco – and may haul 1,705 kilos within the mattress. The bottom Premium will get a payload of simply over 2,000 kilos however solely the highest two trims embrace an influence tilting mattress to simply dump no matter weighed simply over 2,000 kilos. The primary a part of my drive is a look-see of the ranch. Right here I get to use the 15 inches of floor clearance and 12 inches of suspension journey as we cruise round, air con and tunes cranked to equally sky-high ranges.
The Ranger XD has an industry-exclusive steel-belted constantly variable transmission. Not solely does this eradicate the concern of throwing a belt whereas out on the path, it means the Ranger is extraordinarily straightforward to drive. Polaris says the metal belt will final for the lifetime of the automobile. The one servicing consumers should do on the transmission is change the fluid and filter each 6,000 miles.
From a driving perspective it’s quieter and it’s simpler to shift into gear, though I’ve to push the lever away from me to get into Drive as an alternative of in direction of me. There isn’t a low gear however there are just a few drive modes. Most of my drive is finished in Customary, which has an honest throttle response and sufficient engine braking on the downhills that I don’t need to experience the brakes. Consolation mutes the throttle an excessive amount of and I hate it, however Sport mode permits for increased revs and no engine braking. Make no mistake although – this isn’t a racing UTV. With 110 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque, I see 60 mph on a graded filth highway, however don’t count on blistering acceleration.
Our experience leaders inform us to change to Tow/Haul mode on the backside of a steep hill. No, I’m not dragging a trailer, however this mode maximizes engine torque for climbing, appearing just a little bit like a low gear. What’s extra, it permits for a safe hill begin help. Half means up, I cease and take my toes off the pedals. The rig stays caught in place, though it encourages me to shift into Park. Polaris says that is to maintain people from strolling away from the Ranger whereas it’s nonetheless in gear. Me, I simply get again on the throttle and the UTV retains on trucking up the hill.
The Three Forks is a working ranch with 9,000 head of cattle. On our drive they preserve a cautious distance away, aside from one. She decides she should be part of her buddies on the opposite facet of the path and runs out in entrance of me. I hit the brakes and the boosted system slows my tester confidently. I’ve a little bit of a coronary heart assault whereas ol’ Bessy saunters away, giving me only a contact of facet eye. I’m nonetheless not gittin’ together with the little dogies, apparently.
The experience high quality right here is nice with the Ranger absorbing bumps and rocks at speeds that will make a mid-size truck decelerate precipitously. Slim trails pose no downside for this 64-inch-wide UTV. In reality, at one level I feel I’ve taken a fallacious flip, the path is so overgrown with bushes and small timber. A Toyota Tacoma is a few 11 inches wider and would undoubtedly earn its pinstripes out right here. I don’t hear any squeaks or rattles throughout my drive time and better of all, my garments and face stay dust-free due to the enclosed cabin.
You’ll be able to match six individuals right into a Ranger XD, however I’d put the bigger people within the outboard seats. These center seats are finest for these below 5-foot-10 or so. The bummer is you’ll lose two cupholders and a few storage when you’ve acquired a 3rd individual up entrance, however there are nonetheless two cupholders just under in addition to quite a few rubberized cubbies and nets for storage. Heck, there may be even underseat storage, two gloveboxes and a particular cellphone cubby for the motive force.
My quibbles listed here are few. First, the seats aren’t comfy in any respect. I discover them to be exhausting as a rock and too quick within the seat, leaving my legs to flop round a bit. Ergonomics might be subjective, in fact, however I’d need some padding earlier than I decide to spending lengthy working hours behind the wheel.
I’m additionally not a fan of the rear locker. When it’s unlocked, the indicator gentle is on. Yeah, that’s bizarre however not a deal breaker. Nevertheless, so as to interact the locker, I have to be off-throttle and at a pace under 13 mph. It’s not a fast engagement and each time I strive it, the Ranger basically slows to a cease. Additional, the button is positioned to the left of the steering wheel and it’s a bit exhausting to see. My recommendation is to only cease and have interaction the locker. In any other case, you’ll really feel such as you’re doing too many issues directly.
However look, I’m not right here for a path experience. I’m focused on how this factor tows. With solely 105 pound-feet of torque, I don’t perceive this engineering magic. Polaris has a trailer arrange with what appears to be like like sufficient hay to feed 20 horses. I push the drive mode selector into Tow/Haul and the factor simply … goes. Along with maximizing engine torque, Tow/Haul mode additionally limits my pace, however the boosted brakes make stopping this load fairly straightforward. The steel-belted transmission additionally offers actually exact throttle management whereas I’m backing up the trailer. With a rubber-belt CVT, it will be powerful to control the ability so precisely.
If you already know you’ll be towing and hauling more often than not, the rear suspension is adjustable. You’ll be able to transfer the rear shocks outboard only a bit and tighten the spring up for a stiffer experience within the again. My tester isn’t modified in such a means and is ok, however it’s good to have the choice.
Polaris says there are greater than 70 equipment you should purchase for the Ranger XD, together with curated packages for ranching, farming and looking. I significantly dig the Lock and Journey cargo system to simply connect gear like shovels or restoration boards. Additionally on faucet are a entrance and rear winch, a snow plow and the aforementioned sunvisors.
I don’t get an excessive amount of time to discover the Journey Command system, however I discover just a few standouts. The 7-inch touchscreen shows a speedometer, battery standing and engine temperature, however the navigation might be essentially the most helpful characteristic. It may well join everybody in your group collectively so drivers all the time know the place their buddies are. At one level I look down and see that my lead has despatched a message out to all of the UTVs in our group. This can be a nice characteristic when you’re out of cell service or don’t have any radio or walkie communication.
Frankly, it’s powerful to see why any rancher or farmer would purchase a brand new midsize work truck when the Polaris Ranger XD 1500 exists. It gained’t haul your horses round or something, however it does a lot of the identical work a midsize truck can do whereas stepping into tighter locations and shifting rapidly over tough terrain. Nevertheless, with new base mannequin vans beginning within the mid-$30,000 vary, you must persist with the Premium trim beginning at just below $30,000 and quit the enclosed cabin to make it price your whereas. Certain, a truck can also be a automobile you’ll be able to drive round city, however UTVs are road authorized in lots of states.
Why hassle with a truck, certainly.
