The 2012 Polaris RANGER CREW Diesel expanded Polaris’ original diesel utility UTV into a six-passenger platform. It combined a 904cc three-cylinder Yanmar diesel engine with a 1,000-pound-capacity dump box, 1,750-pound payload rating and one-ton towing capacity.
Introduced for the 2012 model year, the RANGER CREW Diesel was intended for farms, ranches, commercial operations and other applications where passenger capacity and low-speed working torque mattered more than recreational performance.
Polaris Expands Its Diesel RANGER Lineup
Polaris entered the diesel side-by-side market with the three-seat 2011 Polaris RANGER Diesel. One year later, the company brought the same basic powertrain to its longer RANGER CREW chassis.
The resulting RANGER CREW Diesel became Polaris’ second diesel side-by-side and its third multi-passenger RANGER at the time. It retained the utility-focused capabilities of the original diesel model while providing two bench seats and room for as many as six occupants.
904cc Yanmar Diesel Engine
Power came from a liquid-cooled, 904cc three-cylinder Yanmar diesel engine. Polaris mounted the engine on rubber isolators to limit the amount of diesel vibration transmitted through the chassis and passenger compartment.
The engine was tuned around low-speed torque and work capability. A sealed, fixed-center-distance clutch enclosure helped protect the CVT system from water, mud and debris encountered during agricultural and off-road use.
A 55-amp alternator provided the electrical capacity needed to operate accessories such as work lights, cab heaters, fans and snowplow equipment. This was particularly useful for buyers who intended to configure the RANGER as a year-round work vehicle.
Cargo, Payload and Towing Capacity
The RANGER CREW Diesel had a claimed payload capacity of 1,750 pounds. Its pallet-size rear cargo box could carry up to 1,000 pounds and included a gas-assist dumping mechanism.
A standard 2-inch receiver hitch supported a claimed towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. Lock & Ride attachment points allowed compatible Polaris accessories to be installed or removed without permanently modifying the cargo box.
- Payload capacity: 1,750 pounds
- Cargo-box capacity: 1,000 pounds
- Towing capacity: 2,000 pounds
- Hitch receiver: 2 inches
- Alternator: 55 amps
On-Demand All-Wheel Drive and Turf Mode
Polaris equipped the RANGER CREW Diesel with its On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive system. When the rear wheels began losing traction, the system automatically sent power to the front wheels. It returned to two-wheel drive when additional traction was no longer required.
VersaTrac Turf Mode unlocked the rear differential to reduce ground disturbance and make tight turns easier. This made the vehicle better suited to lawns, landscaping, farms and other surfaces where a locked rear axle could damage the ground.
Adjustable Independent Suspension
The RANGER CREW Diesel used dual A-arm independent suspension at all four corners. The front suspension provided 9.6 inches of travel, while the rear delivered 9 inches.
Upper mounting-point adjustment allowed the suspension to be configured for lighter recreational use or increased load-carrying support. Its long wheelbase also helped stabilize the vehicle when carrying passengers or cargo.
Ground clearance was listed at 11.5 inches, giving the CREW enough clearance for rutted roads, job sites and moderately rough trails.
Six-Passenger Cabin
Two full-width bench seats allowed the RANGER CREW Diesel to accommodate as many as six adults. The slide-through front seating area made it easier to enter from either side, while leaned seatbacks and additional rear legroom improved passenger comfort.
The steering wheel offered approximately 10 inches of tilt adjustment. Storage included a full-width compartment beneath the front bench and removable storage beneath the rear seat.
Driver and passenger safety nets were standard, and the cab structure was certified as a rollover protective structure. The 2012 model was offered in Sage Green.
2012 Polaris RANGER CREW Diesel Specifications
| Engine | 904cc liquid-cooled three-cylinder Yanmar diesel |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic CVT with sealed clutch enclosure |
| Drive system | On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive with VersaTrac Turf Mode |
| Seating capacity | Six |
| Payload capacity | 1,750 pounds |
| Cargo-box capacity | 1,000 pounds |
| Towing capacity | 2,000 pounds |
| Front suspension | Adjustable dual A-arm with 9.6 inches of travel |
| Rear suspension | Independent suspension with 9 inches of travel |
| Ground clearance | 11.5 inches |
| Alternator | 55 amps |
| Color | Sage Green |
Specifications are based on Polaris’ original 2012 model information. Owners should verify service procedures, replacement parts and capacities using the vehicle identification number and the appropriate Polaris service documentation.
Where the RANGER CREW Diesel Fits in Polaris History
The RANGER CREW Diesel represented an early effort to combine commercial-grade utility capability with genuine multi-passenger transportation. It gave farms and work crews a compact alternative to a pickup while retaining four-wheel drive, independent suspension and a relatively small off-road footprint.
Polaris later replaced the original Yanmar engine with a Kohler diesel and developed more specialized diesel-powered machines, including the RANGER Diesel HST and BRUTUS commercial platforms. The RANGER CREW Diesel chassis was also used for the HIPPO Multipower system, which could power hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and welding equipment.
See our history of the Polaris RANGER for the broader development of the RANGER family from the original 6×6 through today’s gas, electric and extreme-duty models.
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine was used in the 2012 RANGER CREW Diesel?
It used a 904cc, liquid-cooled, three-cylinder Yanmar diesel engine mounted on rubber isolators to reduce vibration.
How many people could the RANGER CREW Diesel carry?
The two-row cabin provided bench seating for as many as six occupants.
How much could it tow?
Polaris rated the 2012 RANGER CREW Diesel to tow up to 2,000 pounds using its standard 2-inch receiver hitch.
What was its cargo capacity?
The rear dump box was rated to carry 1,000 pounds, while total vehicle payload capacity was listed at 1,750 pounds.
Did the RANGER CREW Diesel have four-wheel drive?
Yes. It featured Polaris On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive along with VersaTrac Turf Mode, which unlocked the rear differential for tighter turns and reduced damage to sensitive surfaces.
