Who else can remember when the first Polaris Ranger models came out? The first machine to carry the Ranger brand was a 6×6 back in 1999. In 2005, we got a Ranger 500 with increased comfort and power. Those changes kept rolling and in 2013, we got the biggest advancement in Rangers with the XP 900. This was when people really got a machine that was more than just a workhorse. The XP 900 was quite trail capable and the popularity of the machine really took off. When competition in the space increased, Polaris responded with the XP 1000, and in 2018, the flagship model was unveiled with over 100 customer-inspired improvements. They kept refining it into that machine we have today, which sets the standard for a quiet, comfortable, do-it-all recreation and utility machine. Always looking to push the envelope, Polaris recently released the biggest Ranger model yet, the XD 1500. It was developed as a serious work machine, with a host of power and improvements, but the question many Ranger fans had was simple. Would the new Ranger XD 1500 still handle trail riding? We took to the trails to find out.
What is the XD 1500?
It starts off with a DOHC three-cylinder Polaris ProStar 1,498cc engine that produces 110 horsepower. I know what you’re thinking – only 110 horsepower? It’s a BIG motor, so you’d think it would produce more, right? Here’s the thing, it doesn’t need to. The XD is a beefier machine than the XP 1000 Ranger. You’re pushing more weight – around 450 pounds, yet the power delivery from the XD genuinely feels like more. It has 105 ft-lbs of torque, too, which adds to the powerful feel. This platform can obviously be tweaked for lots more power, which makes me think we will see it in other models at some point.
Of course, the biggest factor with the power and feel of the XD 1500 is how the power from the engine is transferred to the ground. That may be the biggest change from Polaris with the all-new transmission. Instead of the PVT system, which relied on a rubber belt that could wear and need replacing, Polaris has an all-new steel drive system. This transmission uses a steel belt instead of the old rubber one as part of a CVT-style drive. The transmission is sealed, and isn’t user serviceable,beyond fluids, so in theory, it wouldn’t need to be replaced ever. Any time I hear that a part should never wear out or need to be serviced, it makes me feel uneasy.
Speaking of shifting, the shift lever on the XD 1500 is a bit different than what you’re likely used to. The lever shifts from park, to reverse and then to drive. Within these ranges, you get several drive modes that are controlled via a turn knob on the dash. You get Comfort, Standard, Sport, and Tow/Haul.
It is equipped with creep in drive and reverse to help with low speed drivability for smoother power delivery, replacing a true low-range shift, as the engine really doesn’t need it the way the transmission is designed. The mapping for the 4 drive modes is very interesting, too. Comfort and standard are pretty close, with comfort being just a bit smoother. If you’re out for a leisurely trail cruise, comfort mode is perfect. I have to admit that the kid in me was drawn to the sport mode, which is different from some other brands’ version of a “sport mode.” You get a definite boost in throttle response in sport mode with the XD. When you add in the taller tires and added weight, if you’re not paying attention, you can get a little squirrely in a hurry, but it is a lot of fun. It takes some getting used to if you’re used to a regular CVT-style transmission, but so far, it seems to work very well.
Is it the same Ranger?
Another question I got asked often was if it is just another full-size, standard Ranger but with a bigger motor. Nope. The front end is the first giveaway that this is a different machine. It looks like a cross between the XP 1000 and the Xpedition. It looks mean. The Northstar Ultimate edition I tested also has LED lights in the grill work that add a very distinctive look.
Interior-wise, there are some notable differences, too. The space is bigger, with two additional inches of legroom and what may be the most comfortable seats Polaris has put in a machine so far. Like other Ranger’s you can flip up both passenger seats for additional space, which my newfoundland dog appreciated. The Ranger line is considered by most to be the standard by which all other utility and recreation machines are measured by. One of those areas is cab comfort and the XD 1500 may be the best yet as far as being a comfortable cabin. Especially when you add in the HVAC system that is part of the Northstar Ultimate package. I took my daughter for a trail ride on a cold, rainy day and we were extremely comfortable.
The frame and suspension are considerably beefier than the XP 1000. The bed payload capacity is 1,500 pounds, and the Northstar model comes with a hydraulic dump assist system that works flawlessly. Towing is beefy as well, with the machine capable of towing 3,500 pounds with a 2-inch receiver hitch. Another beefy thing is the Polaris Pro winch mounted up front. Polaris has done amazing things with their winch quality lately and this machine came with one of the best we’ve tried yet, a 6,000 -pound beast with synthetic rope that makes quick work of anything. The Pro winch series has a rapid retrieve function that lets you quickly take up the slack line after the winching job is done. I believe Polaris could market their winches under an accessory brand name and do very well against the industry standard – Warn winches. The beefy front bumper has built in D-rings and using the winch, D-ring, and a snatch block and tow strap made it easy to do bigger tasks like pulling my wife’s van out of the ditch.
Let’s talk trail manners
A couple of features of the machine play into how well it handles the trails. It runs 12 inches of travel on all four corners with arched A-arms and beefy gas shocks to cover the suspension. I expected the shocks to be extremely stiff with the size and capability of the machine, but I was wrong. The ride quality is exactly as you would expect from a Ranger. It was smooth and reactive, soaking up small and big obstacles quite well. I drove the XD 1500 through some serious sand and mud sections with deep ruts and when you add in the clearance from the 30-inch Kenda Cross Trail tires mounted on 15-inch wheels, you get a whopping 15 inches of ground clearance. The tires get excellent traction and are 8-ply so they have great flat resistance too.
I expected the machine to push a little in the softer sand and it did. It’s a lot of weight to come into a corner hot with if you don’t have firm ground underneath you. When the dirt got more dirt and less sand, the ride quality picked up.
I also hit some tight areas and came away seriously impressed with the ridiculously tight turning radius of the machine. It has an enhanced power steering system that really shines when you have to cut the turn short. I took it up into some of the land I hunt in and found it got around better than most other machines in the same relative size group.
Speaking of hunting, this machine is the hunter’s dream. You can select a blackout pattern in the lighting that turns off all exterior lights and dims the instrument lighting down to barely visible, making it perfect for stealth approaches. Then add in that the Ride Command system integrates with trail cameras to map them out and show locations, and even images. On top of that, you’d have all the power you’d ever need for habitat projects and more. I want to borrow another one of these machines this fall for more time during hunting season. Maybe in the winter, too with a snowplow to give a good test of the Ride Command snow plow integration that runs the winch for you. Polaris has things going on.
Not very Ranger like
There is one big area that, if you’re used to a Ranger XP 1000, you’re going to find it very different from the Ranger XD 1500. The three cylinder engine is quite a bit louder than the smaller two-cylinder model. It has a big, throaty tone to it that is very different from the smaller Rangers that are so well known for being quiet. That’s the price you pay for the added power and capability. Well, that and the actual price tag, which is considerably more than the smaller models. Our test model has an MSRP of $57,569. It seems that machine prices keep going up along with the capabilities and features.
Is the 2025 Polaris Ranger XD 1500 the right machine for you? I can’t answer that for you. If you need a UTV that is bigger, more powerful and has greater capabilities all around than a XP 1000 or similar machine, then this is a route you should consider. If the SteelDrive transmission proves to be as durable as they claim, then that would be a major factor in favor of the XD. Knowing that your transmission isn’t going to break down is a big factor in my UTV buying plans.
Is the Ranger XD 1500 a capable trail machine? It definitely is, as long as you respect the added weight going in and learn to drive it accordingly. I am also a big fan of CREW models and would love to hammer down some trails on the 6-passenger version of this thing. That would be awesome. Hop over to your local Polaris dealer and see one for yourself.
