BEST 2020 UTILITY UTV

POLARIS RANGER 1000 BASE

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This category has always been a little harder for me to choose a winner. All competitors have solid offerings overall so how do I pick a winner? In the 1000 cc class the Ranger XP, Defender XT and Honda Pioneer rule in my book so, value is where it is at for me to pick a winner.

The base Ranger 1000 replaced the aging XP900 that had always been a good choice, this time is a much better entry level package in the big bore segment to boot. What makes it stand out of the lot is the smoothness of the engine and it’s 61 hp with 55 ft lbs of torque. Torque is good only if you can manage it and the Ranger 1000 does it with finesse. It’s throttle mapping is spot on and perfectly matched to the dry clutch CVT. Much quieter than its rowdier Big Brother XP 1000, it also vibrates less in the drive train with a revised front diff assembly that is claimed to be 30% beefier.

Polaris did not sacrifice comfort for value. I love the seats and that’s one area the full-sized Ranger line has done right from the get go.

It’s a package thing, it works when everything meshes together with a base price of $15,899 The cheapest price in the 1000 cc work UTV class in Canada makes the balance tip in favor of the mighty Ranger.

Well done Polaris!

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