Polaris is well known for their power sport vehicles. Zero Motorcycles, on the other hand, has been synonymous with electric motorcycles since their first model came out back in 2010. So when Polaris decided to bring all-electric powertrains to their power sport fleet, who better to turn to for help than the electric motorcycle outfit? The Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic is the first vehicle to emerge from that collaboration.
An all-electric UTV, the side-by-side delivers the same utility and durability as standard UTV workhorses, all while getting the quietly refined performance of an electric powertrain. That way, you can still tow equipment around the farm, haul supplies to a campsite, and explore nasty off-road trails while searching for Bigfoot, albeit without the loud engine noise that always scares the Sasquatch away.
The Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic is powered by an electric motor that puts out 110 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque, both of which sound like pretty impressive numbers. According to the outfit, they absolutely are, with the vehicle producing 35 percent more power and two times more torque than any other utility side-by-side in the market. Do note, they specifically single out utility-focused side-by-sides (you know… the kind you’ll see in farms and backcountry trails), since there should be racing models (like Polaris’ own 225-hp RZR Pro R) that definitely squeeze more out of their powerplants.
With this much power onboard, the UTV boasts not just faster acceleration when driving through open fields, but also more precise control when hauling and towing heavy cargo. Speaking of cargo, the vehicle can support payloads of up to 1,250 pounds in the lock-and-ride cargo box, all while towing up to 2,500 pounds from the 2-inch hitch, so this is a veritable truck with golf cart dimensions.
The Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic has on-demand all-wheel drive, allowing you to send power to all four wheels when you need full traction while driving through rough and slippery terrains, with 14 inches of ground clearance and 10 inches of suspension travel allowing you to drive through obstacles you encounter on the trail. Do note, it automatically switches back to two-wheel drive when it detects additional traction isn’t necessary. Designed for durable performance in the roughest terrain, it boasts a one-piece chassis construction, full-body skid plate, a massive front bumper, and 29-inch Pro Armor X-Terrain tires.
It comes in two trims: Premium and Ultimate. Premium gets a 14.9kWh battery that gives it a 45-mile range, while Ultimate sports a bigger 29.8kWh for an estimated 80 miles of range. The latter also gets a seven-inch infotainment system and dash-mounted speaker. Shared features across both models include three driving modes (eco, standard, and sport), regenerative braking, the outfit’s intelligent Ride Command+ system (which works with the companion app), a tilt steering wheel, contoured seats with back bolsters, 13.5 gallons’ worth of built-in cab storage, an in-dash USB port, and a 12V power port in the cargo box.
The Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic starts shipping next summer, priced starting at $24,999 for the Premium and $29,999 for the Ultimate.