Polaris announced a wide-ranging update to its off-road lineup for the 2017 model year on July 26, 2016. The news included new RZR, RANGER, GENERAL and ACE models, revised Sportsman ATVs, and the debut of RIDE COMMAND on a production RZR. This is a look back at what Polaris announced for 2017; the models, prices and equipment described here are historical.
The biggest UTV stories were the rock-focused RZR XP 1000 Gold Matte Metallic Limited Edition, an 80-horsepower RANGER XP 1000 family, the first four-seat GENERAL and the 78-horsepower ACE 900 XC. Polaris also expanded its factory accessory offerings. For our firsthand impressions from the launch, see the 2017 Polaris model-year media event report.
2017 Polaris RZR: Rock Equipment and RIDE COMMAND
The 2017 RZR XP 1000 EPS Gold Matte Metallic Limited Edition was built for technical trail and rock use. Polaris gave it a low gear that was 55 percent lower than the standard model’s, an Xtreme Performance AWD system and a factory-installed package of trail and rock accessories. Read the original model overview and our rock-crawling review for a closer look.
Polaris also introduced the 45-horsepower, 60-inch-wide RZR S 570 EPS as a more accessible sport UTV. Its sub-$13,000 positioning was an announcement-era U.S. price claim, not a current selling price.
RIDE COMMAND arrives
For 2017, the RZR XP 1000 EPS Velocity Blue Limited Edition became the first Polaris vehicle offered with RIDE COMMAND. The original system paired an off-road-ready 7-inch display with a phone app for route planning, waypoints, ride data and group location tracking. It also supported phone, audio, camera and compatible headset integration. The display was offered separately through Polaris Engineered Accessories. See our RIDE COMMAND launch overview for the details of this first generation.
2017 Polaris RANGER XP 1000 and CREW
The 2017 RANGER XP 1000 and CREW XP 1000 brought an 80-horsepower ProStar 1000 engine to the utility lineup. Polaris highlighted its three throttle settings: Performance for a more responsive feel, Standard for general use and Work for finer low-speed control. Our 2017 RANGER XP 1000 model page covers the launch vehicle in more detail.
Special editions included the XP 1000 EPS Ranch Edition, RANGER and CREW High Lifter models, and NorthStar HVAC versions of the RANGER XP 1000 and CREW XP 1000. Polaris also reduced the announced U.S. pricing of certain RANGER XP 900 and CREW XP 900 models for 2017. Those launch prices should not be read as current values. For the longer history of the utility lineup, see our Polaris RANGER history and RANGER model guide.
2017 Polaris GENERAL 4 1000 EPS
After the two-seat GENERAL debuted for 2016, Polaris added the four-seat GENERAL 4 1000 EPS for 2017. The new model used a 100-horsepower ProStar 1000 engine and combined second-row seating with a 600-pound dump box. The two-seat lineup also gained VersaTrac Turf Mode and a Hunter Edition in Polaris Pursuit Camo. See the 2017 GENERAL 4 model overview and our GENERAL 4 review.
2017 Polaris ACE and Sportsman ATVs
Polaris expanded its single-seat ACE family with the 78-horsepower ACE 900 XC. At 59 inches wide, it was the most performance-oriented ACE announced for 2017. The range also gained entry and trail models, including a 48-inch-wide version with dual A-arm suspension. See the ACE 900 XC introduction and our driving review.
On the ATV side, Polaris revised the high-output Sportsman range with the Sportsman XP 1000, 850 SP and 850, plus Hunter and limited-edition versions. The Sportsman 450 H.O. used a 499cc ProStar engine rated at 33 horsepower, while utility-oriented 450 H.O. and 570 EPS packages expanded the work-focused choices. Youth models included the Phoenix 200, Outlaw 110 EFI, Sportsman 110 EFI and Outlaw 50, along with the RZR 170 EFI youth side-by-side.
Why the 2017 Launch Matters
Several threads from this announcement continued well beyond 2017: RIDE COMMAND became a recurring Polaris technology platform; the RANGER XP 1000 and NorthStar packages expanded the utility lineup; and the GENERAL 4 established a four-seat version of Polaris’ recreation-utility concept. The Gold Matte Metallic RZR also showed how a factory sport UTV could be tailored for rock crawling. For a broader timeline, see our Polaris RZR history.
