$29,999 MSRP / 110 HP

• the world’s first 3/4-ton sxs

• does a good impression of a midsize pickup

• Related to polaris rzr pRelated to polaris rzr pro r

A 3/4-ton side-by-side!

It’s no stretch to say that Polaris redefined utility side-by-sides with the 2024 Ranger XD 1500. The XD is, believe it or not, the industry’s first three-quarter-ton side-by-side. Power comes from a three-cylinder version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the Polaris RZR Pro R, and that muscle finds the ground via a slick, automotive-style, steel-belt CVT. Tricks like a power dump bed, adjustable seating, and available HVAC make this one heck of a machine.

How much power does it make?

The 2024 Polaris Ranger XD 1500 makes 110 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque. And while those numbers are impressive, they don’t tell the whole story. That grunty three-cylinder is smooth and quiet compared to the raucous twin in Polaris’s own 82-hp Ranger XP 1000. As a result, the XD’s drivetrain is unobtrusive and much easier to live with.

What makes it special?

How much time do you have? Polaris went wild with this machine, solving the kind of problem that utility side-by-side owners have been dealing with for decades.

To begin with, they aren’t joking about that “three-quarter-ton” thing. The 2024 XD 1500 can haul 1500 pounds in its bed and tow 3,500 pounds. That means you can throw a full round bale in the bed and use the power dump to drop it off somewhere.

The ’24 XD 1500 also offers multiple drive modes, a hill-hold function in the CVT’s control software, and the industry’s first powered set of hydraulic brakes.

Why do I want it?

This isn’t just an ordinary utility rig made more capable. Next to the competition—and even many of Polaris’s own utility-side-by-side offerings—the XD 1500 is bigger in every way.

If you find a standard Ranger too cramped, this might be the machine for you. A tilt-and-telescope steering wheel and an adjustable driver’s seat help make this thing more comfortable for more people. The XD is also one of the most nicely trimmed utility side-by-sides on the market—the interior on North Star models actually feels no-joke premium. Finally, the shifter on all trims is downright excellent.

Why don’t I want it?

None of those high points show up for free. The base-model 2024 Polaris Ranger XD 1500 stickers at $29,999. Six-seat Crew configurations start at $36,499. That’s pricey for a utility rig; opt for a Crew, you’re spending more than you would on a machine like the fierce RZR Pro R.

Maybe you’re one of those people who simply has to have the best of the best. But if not—and if you don’t need a side-by-side capable of lugging around 1500 pounds—there are cheaper options out there.

Which trim do I want?

If you’re forking out this kind of money, don’t skimp on the icing. Go for the top-shelf North Star model and don’t look back. That trim gets you a fully sealed cab, HVAC, power windows, and an upgraded interior.

If I like this… what else should I look at?

There aren’t many machines that can match the Ranger XD 1500’s refinement and capability. If you don’t need the big Ranger’s bed and towing capacity, but you still want a luxury utility vehicle, the Can-Am Defender Limited is a solid option.

The John Deere XUV875R Premium Cab Diesel also manages to walk the line between Cowboy Cadillac and workhorse.

2025 Polaris Ranger XD 1500 Specs

NOTE: The standard version of the XD 1500 seats three people. Six-seat versions are sold as the Ranger Crew XD 1500.

Length: 137 in. (base) / 164 in. (Crew)

Width: 65 in.

Height: 78 in.

Wheelbase: 95 in. (base) / 127 in. (Crew)

Curb Weight: 2473 lbs. (dry) / 2905 lbs. (dry, Crew)

Engine: Inline three-cylinder

Displacement: 1.5-liter

Transmission: Steel-belt CVT with Drive, Reverse, and Park

Claimed Power: 110 hp

Claimed Torque: 105 lb-ft

Fuel System: EFI

Steering: Electric Power Steering

Drivetrain: Selectable all-wheel drive, selectable locking rear differential

Front Suspension: Dual A-arm

Rear Suspension: Dual A-arm

Front Brakes: Power hydraulic discs with two-piston calipers

Rear Brakes: Power hydraulic discs with two-piston calipers

Wheels F/R: cast aluminum, 14-in.

Tires F/R: 29x9x14 Pro Armor X-Terrain (front) / 29x11x14 Pro Armor X-Terrain (rear)

Bed Capacity: 1500 lbs.

Towing Capacity: 3500 lbs.

Seating Capacity: 3 (base) / 6 (Crew)

Ground Clearance: 15 in.

Fuel Capacity: 13.6 gallons