2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 EPS Review

Posted on February 19, 2016
10:35 am

By Jon Crowley

The original 2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 EPS entered a part of the side-by-side market that was still taking shape. Polaris already offered the work-focused RANGER and the sport-focused RZR, but there was room between them for a vehicle with legitimate recreational performance and a functional dumping cargo box.

When Polaris first announced the GENERAL, I wondered whether the company really needed another crossover model. The Polaris RANGER XP 900 was already surprisingly capable away from the ranch. I had fitted one with paddle tires for a RANGER XP 900 dune test and later installed 30-inch tires before taking our RANGER XP 900 Deluxe rock crawling on the Rubicon Trail.

Polaris RANGER XP 900 fitted with paddle tires at Sand Mountain — Our previous RANGER XP 900 dune testing showed that a utility UTV could also be entertaining in recreational terrain.

Polaris RANGER XP 900 Deluxe rock crawling on the Rubicon Trail — We also equipped a RANGER XP 900 Deluxe with 30-inch tires and took it rock crawling.

The RANGER could be pushed into some difficult terrain, but a sportier suspension, more power and a more supportive cockpit would allow a crossover machine to perform much better. At the opposite end of the lineup, the RZR XP 1000 and RZR S 1000 delivered considerably more recreational performance but lacked a substantial dumping cargo box.

The GENERAL filled that opening. If the RANGER was approximately 75 percent utility and 25 percent recreation, the GENERAL reversed that formula. After spending a day driving the new machine, I felt Polaris had found a useful middle ground rather than simply creating another variation of an existing model.

2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 EPS Deluxe during the original first-drive review — 2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 EPS Deluxe.

2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 EPS Specifications

Engine	999cc liquid-cooled ProStar twin-cylinder
Horsepower	100 hp
Claimed torque	65 lb-ft
Transmission	Automatic PVT with Park, Reverse, Neutral, High and Low
Drive system	On-Demand True AWD/2WD
Front suspension	Dual A-arm with 12.25 inches of travel
Rear suspension	Dual A-arm with 13.2 inches of travel
Ground clearance	12 inches
Overall width	62.5 inches
Wheelbase	81 inches
Tires	27-inch tires
Cargo-box capacity	600 pounds
Payload capacity	1,100 pounds
Towing capacity	1,500 pounds
Original base MSRP	$15,999
Original Deluxe MSRP	$19,999

Specifications and prices apply to the original two-seat 2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 and may vary by trim.

RZR-Inspired Recreational Performance

The 2016 GENERAL combined elements of the RZR S 1000 with the upright seating and practical features of the RANGER XP 900. Much of its appeal came from how heavily the suspension and drivetrain leaned toward the recreational side of the equation.

The 999cc ProStar twin produced a claimed 100 horsepower, which gave the GENERAL genuinely entertaining acceleration. Its engine and clutch package was closely related to the RZR S 1000 hardware, but Polaris revised the calibration to provide the low-speed response and low-end torque expected from a vehicle that could also haul and tow.

Dual-A-arm suspension provided 12.25 inches of front travel and 13.2 inches at the rear. Those were serious numbers for a rec-utility UTV in 2016, and the geometry was closely related to the RZR S platform. The GENERAL also provided 12 inches of ground clearance.

The Deluxe model added FOX Podium 2.0 QS3 shocks. Their three-position compression adjusters made it easy to change the suspension setting without having to understand a complicated range of individual adjustments.

100-horsepower ProStar engine in the 2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 — The 100-horsepower ProStar twin gave the original GENERAL strong recreational performance.

Cargo, Towing and Utility Capability

The GENERAL’s power was only part of its crossover formula. Polaris rated the engine at 65 lb-ft of torque, while Low range gave the driver better control when pulling a load or moving through technical terrain.

The rear dumping cargo box was rated to carry 600 pounds and incorporated Lock & Ride mounting points for compatible storage and accessory systems. It was large enough for hunting equipment, camping supplies, tools or materials around a ranch without making the vehicle feel unnecessarily long.

A two-inch receiver and 1,500-pound towing rating gave the GENERAL more working capability than a conventional sport UTV. It was not intended to replace a full-size RANGER for owners who regularly hauled or towed near the limits, but it was useful enough to handle lighter property work and pull a small utility trailer.

The dual-rate springs were selected to retain more ride height when the cargo box was loaded while still providing a compliant ride when the vehicle was empty.

Dumping cargo box on the 2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 — The dumping cargo box could carry as much as 600 pounds of equipment or supplies.

Cockpit and Comfort

The GENERAL’s cockpit struck an effective balance between work and recreation. Its bolstered bucket seats provided noticeably more lateral support than a conventional utility bench while remaining easy to enter and exit. The driver’s seat included a slider to accommodate different driver heights.

The seating position was more upright than a RZR, which improved forward visibility and made repeated entry and exit easier. At the same time, the cab felt compact enough to keep the GENERAL maneuverable on the trail.

Standard half doors used automotive-style latches and opened wide. They also provided considerably more protection from water, mud and trail debris than nets or minimal door panels.

Bolstered seats inside the 2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 EPS — The bolstered bucket seats provided support in rough terrain without making entry difficult.

Polaris designed the cab around its Lock & Ride Pro Fit accessory system. A windshield, roof, upper doors and other weather-protection components could be installed without substantially modifying the vehicle. The engine’s position behind the passenger compartment also helped control the amount of mechanical noise reaching the occupants.

Lock and Ride windshield installed on a Polaris GENERAL 1000 EPS — The Lock & Ride windshield installed quickly and added useful protection in cold or wet weather.

What We Liked

Suspension

Borrowing heavily from the RZR S suspension was a smart decision. The GENERAL delivered considerably more control and bump absorption than a conventional utility vehicle, while its relationship to existing Polaris platforms helped open the door to aftermarket shocks, springs and suspension components.

Engine and Drivetrain

The ProStar engine delivered a good combination of power and usable low-end response. Commonality with other Polaris platforms also meant owners would have access to a broad range of maintenance parts and performance products.

Cab and Seating Position

The upright position improved visibility and comfort, while the bolstered seats kept occupants better supported during spirited trail driving. There was enough interior room to be comfortable without making the vehicle feel excessively bulky.

Useful Cargo Box

The bed was appropriately sized for the GENERAL’s mission. It provided meaningful room for hunting, camping or ranch equipment without dominating the vehicle’s proportions.

Full Half Doors

The doors covered enough of the opening to block a useful amount of water and mud thrown from the front tires. Their wide opening and automotive-style latches also made them convenient during everyday use.

Instrument Placement

The gauge cluster remained visible through the steering wheel across its tilt range, a small detail that made the cockpit easier to use.

What We Did Not Like

No Turf Mode

The original 2016 GENERAL did not offer VersaTrac Turf Mode. An unlockable rear differential would have reduced damage to grass and allowed a tighter turning radius during property work. Polaris added Turf Mode to later GENERAL models and trims, addressing one of our primary complaints about the original vehicle.

Limited Clearance for Larger Tires

The original machine came on 27-inch tires. Riders interested in rock crawling or deep mud would naturally look at larger replacements, but going substantially larger could introduce clearance issues without additional suspension or body modifications. Polaris later addressed that demand more directly with higher-clearance GENERAL models and the 30-inch-tire GENERAL XP 1000.

Deluxe Model Price

The original GENERAL 1000 EPS started at $15,999, while the Deluxe model carried a $19,999 MSRP. Reaching the $20,000 mark was significant for a rec-utility UTV in 2016, although the Deluxe included upgrades such as FOX QS3 shocks, a roof, winch and premium finish.

2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 EPS Deluxe on a dirt trail — The GENERAL felt much more athletic on the trail than its dumping cargo box suggested.

2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 Photo Gallery

2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 EPS front three-quarter view

2016 Polaris GENERAL 1000 EPS during the media introduction

Polaris GENERAL 1000 Review Conclusion

The original GENERAL filled a genuine opening in Polaris’ side-by-side lineup. It was far more recreational than a traditional utility UTV, yet its dumping cargo box, upright cockpit, receiver hitch and accessory-friendly cab made it substantially more practical than a RZR.

It was not the best Polaris for every individual task. A RANGER remained better suited to sustained hauling and property work, while a RZR delivered greater outright sport performance. The GENERAL’s strength was its ability to perform both roles well enough that an owner did not need two separate machines.

Subsequent testing reinforced that first impression. We took the GENERAL into the dunes, across rocky trails, on camping trips and through a complete long-term build. Those experiences demonstrated that the original crossover concept had far more range than a one-day introduction could reveal.

For model history, current specifications and links to all of our GENERAL testing, see the complete Polaris GENERAL guide.