2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000: Original Specs, Features and History

The 2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000 introduced a new generation of naturally aspirated sport UTV performance. Its 999cc ProStar engine produced a claimed 107 horsepower, while a longer wheelbase, trailing-arm rear suspension, Walker Evans needle shocks and a redesigned cockpit made the XP 1000 more capable and comfortable than the RZR XP 900 it followed.

Polaris unveiled the RZR XP 1000 in July 2013 as a 2014 model. It became one of the most important vehicles in the history of the Polaris RZR, establishing a versatile 64-inch platform that could handle trails, dunes, desert terrain and technical rock crawling.

The original 2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000.

Why the Original RZR XP 1000 Mattered

The XP 1000 was more than an enlarged RZR XP 900. Polaris developed a new tubular chassis, increased the wheelbase to 90 inches and paired the vehicle with a new 999cc engine. Suspension travel measured 16 inches in front and 18 inches at the rear, while ground clearance increased to a claimed 13.5 inches.

Those dimensions gave the XP 1000 enough suspension and stability for aggressive dune and desert driving without moving beyond the 64-inch width that made it manageable on trails and in technical terrain.

We drove the new machine shortly after its introduction at the Oregon Dunes. Read our original Polaris RZR XP 1000 review for firsthand impressions. We later took the vehicle onto the Rubicon Trail for a separate RZR XP 1000 rock-crawling review.

2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000 Key Features

• 999cc ProStar twin-cylinder engine
• Claimed 107 horsepower
• Dual 48mm throttle bodies
• Automatic Polaris Variable Transmission
• On-Demand True AWD and two-wheel drive
• 64-inch overall width
• 90-inch wheelbase
• 16 inches of front suspension travel
• 18 inches of rear suspension travel
• 13.5 inches of ground clearance
• Walker Evans Racing needle shocks
• 29-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires
• 14-inch cast-aluminum wheels
• Electronic Power Steering
• Factory quarter doors
• 9.5-gallon fuel tank

107-Horsepower ProStar 1000 Engine

The centerpiece of the new RZR was its 999cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke ProStar 1000 parallel-twin. Polaris claimed 107 horsepower, making it the most powerful production side-by-side engine in its class when the machine was introduced.

The engine used dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection and two 48mm throttle bodies. Long-tip fuel injectors and a redesigned combustion chamber were intended to improve combustion efficiency and throttle response.

Polaris said more than 80 percent of the engine’s peak torque was available from 3,500 rpm through redline. The engine was also designed to run on regular 87-octane fuel.

A retuned high-performance PVT continuously variable transmission and close-ratio final drive transferred power to the wheels. Readers interested in the engine’s construction can see our separate look under the covers of the ProStar 1000.

The XP 1000 introduced a longer chassis and extensively revised rear suspension.

Trailing-Arm Suspension and Walker Evans Shocks

The 2014 RZR XP 1000 used dual A-arms in front and a three-link trailing-arm layout at the rear. Polaris revised the trailing-arm geometry to provide more clearance around obstacles while maintaining predictable camber through the suspension’s travel.

Walker Evans Racing position-sensitive needle shocks were fitted at all four corners. The front used two-inch piggyback-reservoir shocks, while the rear received larger 2.5-inch shocks with remote reservoirs. All four offered 16-position compression adjustment and adjustable spring preload.

Position-sensitive internal needles progressively increased damping as the shocks moved deeper into their travel. The design was intended to deliver compliance over smaller bumps while providing increased resistance to bottoming during harder impacts.

Suspension travel measured 16 inches in front and 18 inches at the rear. The vehicle rode on 29-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires mounted to 14-inch cast-aluminum wheels.

Walker Evans needle shocks provided 16 inches of front and 18 inches of rear travel.

Stronger AWD, Steering and Brakes

Polaris strengthened the High Performance On-Demand True AWD system to cope with the ProStar 1000’s increased output. The company claimed an 80-percent improvement in front-drive strength compared with the preceding design.

The close-ratio final drive was engineered to keep the front wheels engaged longer when the AWD system detected rear-wheel slip. Electronic Power Steering was standard, and the steering required two turns from lock to lock. Despite the longer wheelbase, Polaris listed an 18-foot turning radius.

Four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes used dual-piston calipers and 248mm ventilated rotors at all four corners.

Redesigned RZR Cockpit

The 2014 model introduced a roomier cockpit with redesigned seats, additional legroom and revised dead pedals for the driver and passenger. Tool-free seat sliders made the seating position easier to adjust.

Factory-installed quarter doors provided more coverage than the nets used on early RZR models while retaining space around the occupants’ elbows. Polaris also added a revised steering wheel, sealed seat-belt retractors and easier-to-adjust belts.

Other interior additions included LED floor lighting, a blue-backlit digital gauge, protected smartphone storage and a glove box that was 50 percent larger than the previous design.

Maintenance, Storage and Accessories

Sealed floor seams and equipment pass-throughs helped reduce the amount of dirt and water entering the cabin. Two removable floor drains made cleaning easier, while the sealed fuse and relay center was positioned under the driver’s seat for access and protection.

The XP 1000 also received a larger cargo box with additional tie-down points and an integrated whip-flag mount. Its 9.5-gallon fuel tank increased capacity and was designed to use 87-octane gasoline.

Polaris supported the new platform with more than 75 accessories. The chassis included integrated mounting locations, electrical-routing provisions and a three-post terminal under the hood. A 44-amp-hour battery rated at 575 cold-cranking amps provided capacity for accessories such as lights and audio equipment.

Available equipment included roofs, windshields, rear panels, doors, protection components, storage bags and an MTX audio system. Polaris also offered 30-inch GBC Kanati Mongrel tires on 15-inch HEXLR two-piece beadlock wheels.

2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000 Specifications

The following figures are the original specifications published for the 2014 model. Equipment and measurements can vary by trim or market.

Legacy of the Original RZR XP 1000

The original XP 1000 helped define the multi-terrain sport UTV category. Its 64-inch width and relatively compact wheelbase allowed it to remain useful on trails and in rocks, while its engine output and long-travel suspension delivered considerably more capability in dunes and open desert terrain than earlier RZR models.

The platform subsequently supported four-seat, mud-focused and other specialized editions. It also became one of the most heavily modified vehicles in the UTV aftermarket, with companies developing suspension systems, cages, protection, tires, wheels and engine upgrades around the XP 1000 chassis.

Polaris continued evolving the platform for approximately a decade before introducing the extensively redesigned 2024 Polaris RZR XP. That newer generation retained the naturally aspirated, 64-inch concept while adding a stronger chassis, revised drivetrain, improved cockpit and 114-horsepower ProStar 1000 Gen 2 engine.

More RZR XP 1000 Coverage

• Polaris RZR XP 1000 First Ride and Dune Review
• Rock Crawling With the Polaris RZR XP 1000
• Inside the Original ProStar 1000 Engine
• History of the Polaris RZR