The last time we tested a relatively “affordable” sport side-by-side, we zipped around on a twin-cylinder Yamaha Wolverine X2 850 R-Spec. To its credit, that was a fantastic machine, capable of both sport and utility. But this time, we’re abandoning practicality and utilitarianism altogether. The Polaris RZR Pro line, completely overhauled for 2025, is firmly focused on thrills and spills. As the entry point to the model range, the RZR Pro XP is the gateway to off-road nirvana.
On the other side are the sprawling sand dunes of North Bend, Oregon. Located about two and a half hours from Eugene, the soft sands and picturesque beaches of Spinreel Dune Buggy & Four-wheeled quad Rental routes are the perfect proving ground for a line of sporty side-by-sides with a heritage for days. RZR is commonly credited with inventing the sporty side-by-side segment in the late 2000s. But now, with nearly 20 years of R&D behind it, the RZR Pro XP manages to pack a lot of technology into the entry-level price.
Across a range of three trim packages, from the base Sport model starting at $23,999, to the mid-range Premium at $27,999, and the Ultimate at $33,999, there’s a decent amount of adaptability and selection within what’s still the entry point into the RZR Pro family. At first glance, it’s clear that there’s a very concise and well-planned similarity in exterior design between the RZR Pro XP and its upper-level siblings, the Pro S and Pro R. That distinctive front end that’s come to define the RZR brand in recent times is still more or less there, but subtle changes and tweaks have been added for both aesthetic and practical purposes.
Functional vents integrated into the RZR Pro XP’s front fascia not only add another layer of aggressive styling, they also provide optimal cooling for the entire interior below, as well as some ventilation for the vehicle’s occupants. Add in a new instrument cluster with a larger LCD screen and revised, much more flexible seat covers inside, and it’s clear that a good deal of finesse has gone into the little tweaks that add up to big changes for the RZR Pro line.
If you’ve been following the UTV scene lately, you know that side-by-sides are becoming more and more car-like in their standard features and equipment with each model year. The RZR Pro line is no exception. Opening the delightful tactile interior door buttons opens the door to a remarkably well-appointed interior. One where the aforementioned larger instrument cluster screen and race-inspired steering wheel merge with a seven-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment to create a distinctly automotive feel in the cabin.
Photo: Align Media
With dimensions of 126 x 64 x 71.7 inches (320 x 162.6 x 182.1 cm) and a wheelbase of 96 inches (244 cm) in the two-passenger configuration we tested, such a compact form factor might lead to some concerns about room to move around. But even a rather pudgy guy like me found that getting in and out, as well as buckling into the four-way adjustable safety harness, was no big deal. Plus, once I buckled up and turned the key, even more goodies awaited. When the RZP Pro XP’s 925cc liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine with a big fat turbo revs up the thrills even the old RZR XPs provided, it’s a 10-inch, 20-inch, 30-inch, 40-inch, 50-inch, 60-inch, 70-inch, 80-inch, 120-inch, 130-inch, 140-inch, 150-inch, 160-inch, 170-inch, 180-inch, 19 …
With 181 horsepower on tap, you’ve got nearly 80 percent of the power of a Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86 and 100 percent of that of a 2025 Mazda MX-5. That’s right; this starting point for a mid-range sports side-by-side has power figures identical to a street-legal sports car. Not that you’d ever want to take one of these machines within three or four football fields of a public road. You’d think that would be obvious, but apparently not to some people.
In any case, a top quality rubber strap Continuously variable transmission transaxial and selectable 2WD on request and All-wheel drive rounds out a drivetrain that’s up to the task of tearing up dunes day in and day out. As is the suspension setup on these RZR Pro XPs. We’re talking 16-way adjustable Walker Evans piggyback shocks with 14.5 inches of ground clearance all around. A specialized high-clearance double wishbone and sway bar setup up front, plus a full-height trailing arm and radius bar with sway bar out back, provide 22 inches of travel all around.
That’s more than enough to tackle rocks, gravel, woods trails, mud puddles, and whatever else nature can throw at you on a given ride. Power is smooth and consistent throughout the rev range with solid throttle response throughout, plus the rumble of the little two-cylinder engine wasn’t tiring for me. The electric power steering felt very solid, and the adjustable ride mode settings really made a difference in the riding experience. Whether it was Comfort, Sport, or Baja, there was a setting and ride configuration for just about every scenario. With just 1,759 lbs (798 kg) weighing down those 30 x 10-14 Maxxis Carnivore tires, those power-to-weight numbers paired with such a short wheelbase made for a lot of fun riding time.
Photo: Align Media
Meanwhile, the RZR’s integrated center display with Polaris’ industry-leading Ride Command software ensured that all drivers on the ride were kept up to date on the whereabouts of all participants at all times. With a crisp, clean capacitive touch screen, we can point to few automotive-grade infotainment systems from the last five years or so that aren’t this seamless to use. It’s all accessible in the palm of your hands with the snappy, responsive Ride Command+ companion app for iOS and Android devices.
In the interior ergonomics department, the RZR Pro XP takes home some serious accolades. The chunky center buttons and easy-to-reach radio and suspension controls on the steering wheel are a real treat, even when wearing gloves. The interior fit and finish is pretty solid for a side-by-side, although sand and fine particles on the dunes can get lodged in the interior storage pocket’s latches, making closing it a bit of a chore. You can’t entirely blame the vehicle for this, though; that’s likely the case for any side-by-side ride on these dunes. Overall, there are layers of refinement baked into every inch of the RZR Pro XP that simply weren’t available on sporty side-by-sides even five years ago. Don’t get us started on the LED front accent lights available on higher-trim RZR Pros; they look downright delightful in low-light conditions.
As much as powersports companies would love for us to stop comparing side-by-sides to passenger cars, the line between the two seems to be blurring with each passing year. For the end-user driving experience, that means you can drive faster than ever, in more comfort than ever, while listening to your favorite tunes through a Rockford Fosgate Stage 4 audio system with an all-new ten-inch subwoofer and front and rear speakers. Thanks to Polaris’ Lock & Ride modular storage system, up to 300 pounds of coolers and all the soda you could possibly drink stay secure and safe, no matter how rough the terrain gets.
With options like a vented glass windshield, 20-gallon rear cargo bed, a rotating spare tire carrier, and a semi-enclosed aluminum roof, you can tailor the vehicle to your exact tastes. Throw in a 12-gallon tank and you could spend all day on the trails, in the dunes, in the mountains, or anywhere else you can find yourself in a RZR Pro XP. While the more highly equipped models in the RZP Pro range might beat it in terms of raw power, believe us when we say you’re getting about 75 percent of the top-end RZR Pro R’s raw thrills for a discount of more than $10,000 over the more basic Pro R Sport. But even so, that hardly makes either RZR a bargain to buy outright.
Photo: Align Media
You could buy a nice used car for the kind of price Polaris is selling the RZR Pro line for. That’s why the most important factor in the driving experience of the new RZR Pro line has to do with the location rather than the vehicles themselves. By buying Polaris RZRs in bulk directly from the manufacturer, destinations like Spinreel here in Oregon and elsewhere in the world give you access to an afternoon out in the great outdoors without having to pay upfront ownership costs. It’s a partnership that puts rear-ends in seats, and they might even decide they want to buy one when they’re done. Now, that’s smart marketing.
With competition from Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, and their mortal rivals across the border, Can-Am, the RZR Pro XP manages to be approachable and gentle enough to appeal to newcomers, but also fun enough to satisfy all but the most hardcore thrill junkies. It’s the embodiment of everything that made the RZR a game-changer in the side-by-side industry with even more features than ever before. What’s not to like? It’s a complete home run as far as Polaris goes.