The 2017 Polaris RZR XP Turbo EPS and RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS increased output to 168 horsepower while introducing substantial cooling, driveline, suspension and steering improvements. These changes made the 2017 model much more than a routine horsepower update and established the mechanical package that would carry the 64-inch RZR Turbo platform forward.
Polaris introduced the two- and four-seat models in September 2016. Both used the company’s 925cc ProStar Turbo H.O. twin-cylinder engine, but output increased from the original XP Turbo’s 144 horsepower to 168 horsepower for 2017.
That 24-horsepower increase represented approximately 17 percent more power than the original model and placed the RZR XP Turbo near the center of the rapidly escalating factory-turbocharged UTV competition.
For a broader look at where this model fits within the platform’s development, see the complete history of the Polaris RZR.
What Changed on the 2017 RZR XP Turbo?
The 168-horsepower engine received much of the attention, but Polaris also revised the cooling and driveline systems to handle the additional output. The 2017 improvements included:
- 168-horsepower ProStar Turbo H.O. engine
- Higher-capacity engine cooling system
- Variable-speed brushless cooling fan
- 40-percent-larger, high-flow front grille
- 20-percent-larger engine radiator
- Strengthened driveline components
- FOX Podium Internal Bypass shocks
- Revised front and rear stabilizer bars
- Quicker 1.5-turn steering rack
- Standard electronic power steering
More Power Required More Cooling
Increasing engine output without addressing heat management would have created additional stress during sustained dune, desert and high-speed use. Polaris therefore paired the more powerful engine with a substantially upgraded cooling package.
A variable-speed brushless fan moved air through a radiator that was 20 percent larger than the previous unit. The redesigned high-flow front grille provided approximately 40 percent more open area, helping the cooling system maintain airflow under demanding conditions.
Polaris also strengthened the driveline so it could reliably transfer the additional power to the ground. These changes were especially important because the 2017 XP Turbo retained a comparatively compact 64-inch-wide chassis rather than adopting the wider and longer proportions later used by models such as the 72-inch RZR XP Turbo S.
FOX Internal Bypass Suspension
The 2017 RZR XP Turbo and XP 4 Turbo were equipped with FOX Podium Internal Bypass shocks. The front used 2.5-inch-diameter shocks, while the rear used larger 3.0-inch units with remote reservoirs.
The internal bypass design used multiple compression zones to progressively increase damping as the suspension moved through its travel. This allowed the shocks to remain compliant over smaller bumps while providing greater resistance as they approached full compression.
Multiple rebound zones were also used to help control chassis motion after impacts. Combined with 16 inches of front travel and 18 inches of rear travel, the system was designed to balance ride comfort, high-speed control and bottoming resistance.
Quicker Steering and Revised Handling
Polaris fitted both models with front and retuned rear stabilizer bars to reduce body roll during aggressive cornering. A new 1.5-turn steering rack made steering response noticeably quicker, while standard electronic power steering kept effort manageable at lower speeds.
Braking hardware included triple-piston front calipers, dual-piston rear calipers and 248mm ventilated brake discs at all four corners.
2017 Polaris RZR XP Turbo Specifications
| Models | RZR XP Turbo EPS and RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS |
|---|---|
| Engine | 925cc turbocharged twin-cylinder ProStar Turbo H.O. |
| Horsepower | 168 hp |
| Drivetrain | On-Demand True AWD/2WD |
| Transmission | Automatic PVT with Park, Reverse, Neutral, High and Low |
| Front suspension | Dual A-arm with stabilizer bar and 16 inches of travel |
| Rear suspension | Trailing arm with stabilizer bar and 18 inches of travel |
| Front shocks | 2.5-inch FOX Podium Internal Bypass |
| Rear shocks | 3.0-inch FOX Podium Internal Bypass with remote reservoirs |
| Steering | 1.5-turn rack with electronic power steering |
| Brakes | 248mm ventilated discs with triple-piston front and dual-piston rear calipers |
| Original two-seat MSRP | $24,999 |
| Original four-seat MSRP | $27,499 |
Why the 2017 RZR XP Turbo Matters
The 2017 model represented the first major evolution of Polaris’ factory-turbocharged RZR. The original RZR XP Turbo brought forced induction into the production lineup, while the 2017 version increased output to 168 horsepower and upgraded the supporting systems needed to use that power reliably.
Polaris subsequently carried the 168-horsepower engine into the wider RZR XP Turbo S. The company then introduced the new-generation, 181-horsepower RZR PRO XP for 2020, followed by increasingly specialized high-performance platforms such as the RZR Pro R.
Viewed in that progression, the 2017 XP Turbo was an important bridge between the first factory-turbocharged RZR and the wide, long-travel performance machines that followed.
Continue exploring: Visit the Polaris UTV model archive for additional RZR specifications, history, reviews and new-model coverage.
