The 2015 Polaris RZR 900 returned the RZR lineup to one of its original strengths: fitting a powerful sport side-by-side into a 50-inch-wide trail package.
Polaris replaced the long-running RZR 800 with a substantially redesigned machine powered by a 75-horsepower ProStar 900 engine. The new model brought more power, a stronger drivetrain, sharper steering, improved ergonomics and styling influenced by the RZR XP 1000—all while retaining access to width-restricted trail systems.
This review focuses on the 50-inch RZR 900. For a broader look at its trims, specifications and place in the model family, visit our Polaris RZR 900 model guide.
At 50 inches wide, the 2015 Polaris RZR 900 was designed for trails that excluded wider sport side-by-sides.
Why the 2015 RZR 900 Mattered
The original RZR established its reputation as a compact sport side-by-side that could enter many trails originally designed around ATVs. As the RZR family expanded, wider and more powerful models increasingly targeted dunes, desert terrain and high-speed recreational riding.
For 2015, Polaris applied lessons from those newer machines to its narrow trail platform. The RZR 900 replaced the RZR 800 with considerably more power and a cockpit based on the newer RZR XP generation.
The result represented a major generational upgrade rather than a modest displacement increase. The RZR 900 retained the accessibility and maneuverability of a 50-inch machine while delivering performance much closer to the wider sport models of its era.
See our history of the Polaris RZR for the platform’s progression from the original 2008 RZR 800 through today’s high-performance models.
75-Horsepower ProStar 900 Engine
The RZR 900 used an 875cc, liquid-cooled, dual-overhead-cam parallel-twin producing a claimed 75 horsepower. Polaris said that represented more than 40 percent additional horsepower and 15 percent more torque than the previous RZR 800 models.
Those numbers transformed the character of the narrow RZR. The added output delivered considerably stronger acceleration, particularly compared with the RZR 800, without requiring buyers to move into a wider chassis.
Polaris paired the engine with a version of the RZR XP transmission geared specifically for the 900. Power reached the ground through Polaris On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive, which automatically engaged the front wheels when additional traction was required.
The Trail Edition added High-Performance AWD, Engine Braking System, Electronic Power Steering and Turf Mode. That combination made the upgraded trim particularly well suited to technical mountain trails, descents and areas where minimizing ground disturbance mattered.
50-Inch Width and Trail Handling
The defining specification was the RZR 900’s 50-inch overall width. That allowed it to enter many trail systems with 50-inch width restrictions—places where the 60-inch Polaris RZR S 900 and wider XP models could not legally or physically travel.
Polaris maximized the track width within the 50-inch limit by changing the wheel offset. Combined with a 79-inch wheelbase, the compact footprint gave the RZR quick responses in tight corners and switchbacks.
The steering required two turns from lock to lock and provided a claimed 20-percent quicker response than the previous platform. Its 15.9-foot turning radius was another meaningful advantage on narrow wooded trails.
The tradeoff was the same one that applies to most 50-inch side-by-sides: a narrow chassis cannot provide the cornering stability of a wider machine. Drivers still needed to respect sidehills, abrupt direction changes and off-camber terrain. The RZR 900’s strength was agility and trail access rather than high-speed stability across open desert.
Trail-Capable 50-Inch Chassis
At only 50 inches wide, the RZR 900 could use many ATV-width trails while carrying two occupants in a side-by-side seating arrangement.
Optimized Track Width
Revised wheel offsets pushed the track outward while maintaining the vehicle’s 50-inch overall width. This helped improve its response and confidence through corners.
Quicker Steering
The two-turn, lock-to-lock steering ratio reduced the amount of steering-wheel movement required on winding trails. Electronic Power Steering was standard on the Trail and XC editions but not on the base RZR 900.
Suspension and Ground Clearance
The RZR 900 used dual A-arm suspension at all four corners with 10 inches of front and rear wheel travel. Ground clearance measured 11 inches, while 26-inch Polaris PXT tires came standard on the regular models.
This was a capable combination for wooded trails, moderate rocks and uneven terrain. The relatively short wheelbase also helped the RZR change direction and work through technical sections.
However, its suspension specifications were modest compared with the 60-inch RZR S 900, which offered 12.25 inches of front travel, 13.2 inches of rear travel and 12.5 inches of ground clearance. Riders who did not need to meet a 50-inch restriction gained suspension capability and stability by choosing the wider model.
Up to 11 Inches of Ground Clearance
Eleven inches of clearance was competitive for a narrow trail machine of the period, although the stock 26-inch tires and 10 inches of suspension travel set practical limits in larger rocks and deep ruts.
Longer Wheelbase
The 79-inch wheelbase was two inches longer than the previous RZR 800 platform. It contributed to a smoother, more settled ride while remaining compact enough for tight trails.
Improved Cockpit and Ergonomics
The 2015 redesign borrowed heavily from the cockpit introduced with the RZR XP 1000. The seats provided greater bolstering and substantially more hip cushioning, while thin-film Dryseat construction helped prevent water from collecting in the seat foam.
Polaris also added more legroom, improved driver and passenger dead pedals and installed quarter doors at the factory. Those doors provided better debris protection than the open side nets associated with earlier RZRs while still allowing relatively easy entry and exit.
Limited Edition models included a tool-free driver-seat slider. A redesigned steering wheel, flow-through seat-belt tongues and sealed belt retractors further improved everyday comfort and usability.
Storage included a larger glove box, central storage space and a deeper rear cargo box. The 9.5-gallon fuel tank was also larger than the tank used in the previous narrow RZR platform.
Maintenance and Accessory Integration
Polaris made routine maintenance easier by placing the air filter, spark plugs and oil-fill point beneath a removable panel in the cargo box. Another panel between the seats provided access to the dipstick and oil filter without requiring seat removal.
The integrated transmission used a single check-and-fill point. Grease fittings were installed on both the inboard and outboard A-arm bushings, and an electrical terminal block under the hood simplified accessory wiring.
The chassis also included integrated mounting points and concealed wire-routing paths. Polaris offered more than 130 accessories for the platform, including roofs, windshields, rear panels, bumpers, rock sliders and doors.
Polaris RZR 900 XC Edition
The RZR 900 XC occupied the space between the standard 50-inch RZR 900 and the 60-inch RZR S 900. Its 55-inch width prevented it from meeting strict 50-inch trail limits, but the wider stance and upgraded suspension provided more capability where the additional width was permitted.
XC equipment included:
- Electronic Power Steering
- Engine Braking System
- Turf Mode
- FOX 2.0 Podium X shocks
- 12.5 inches of ground clearance
- 27-inch GBC Dirt Commander tires
- 14-inch Vader wheels
- Wide fender flares
- LED headlights
- Interactive digital display
- Bowed quarter doors
The eight-ply GBC Dirt Commander tires provided stronger sidewalls and a more aggressive tread than the standard PXT tires. See our original GBC Dirt Commander tire overview for more information about the tire used on the XC package.
2015 Polaris RZR 900 Specifications
| Specification | 2015 Polaris RZR 900 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 875cc liquid-cooled DOHC twin-cylinder four-stroke |
| Claimed horsepower | 75 hp |
| Fuel system | Electronic fuel injection |
| Transmission | Automatic PVT with Park, Reverse, Neutral, Low and High |
| Drive system | On-Demand True AWD/2WD; Turf Mode on applicable editions |
| Front suspension | Dual A-arm with anti-sway bar; 10 inches of travel |
| Rear suspension | Dual A-arm with anti-sway bar; 10 inches of travel |
| Front tires | 26×8-12 Polaris PXT |
| Rear tires | 26×9-12 Polaris PXT |
| Brakes | Four-wheel hydraulic discs |
| Length | 105 inches |
| Width | 50 inches |
| Height | 69.5 inches |
| Wheelbase | 79 inches |
| Ground clearance | 11 inches |
| Claimed dry weight | 1,174 pounds |
| Fuel capacity | 9.5 gallons |
| Payload capacity | 740 pounds |
| Cargo-box capacity | 300 pounds |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 pounds |
| Receiver | 1.25-inch hitch receiver |
| Original colors | White Lightning and Polaris Pursuit Camo; Black Pearl and Sunset Red on Trail Edition |
2015 Polaris RZR 900 Review: Final Thoughts
The 2015 RZR 900 was one of the most substantial updates Polaris made to its original narrow-trail formula. Its 75-horsepower engine represented a dramatic improvement over the RZR 800, while the quicker steering, longer wheelbase and redesigned cockpit made the machine more comfortable and responsive.
Its limitations largely came from the same specification that made it useful. A 50-inch chassis cannot match the suspension travel, stability or rough-terrain speed of the wider RZR S and XP platforms. The standard 26-inch tires, basic shocks and 10 inches of travel also left room for improvement in rocks or aggressively driven terrain.
For riders who needed access to width-restricted trails, however, the RZR 900 delivered a compelling combination of power, maneuverability and compact dimensions. Buyers without a 50-inch restriction were better served by the RZR S 900, while riders prioritizing substantially greater suspension performance could step up to the Polaris RZR XP 1000.
Polaris RZR 900 FAQ
How much horsepower does a 2015 Polaris RZR 900 have?
The 2015 RZR 900 produces a claimed 75 horsepower from its 875cc ProStar twin-cylinder engine.
Is the 2015 RZR 900 exactly 50 inches wide?
Yes. The standard 2015 RZR 900 measures 50 inches wide and was designed for trail systems with 50-inch vehicle-width restrictions. The separate RZR 900 XC measures 55 inches wide.
What is the difference between the RZR 900 and RZR S 900?
The RZR 900 is 50 inches wide with 10 inches of front and rear suspension travel. The RZR S 900 is 60 inches wide and provides more suspension travel, ground clearance and stability, but it cannot use trails restricted to 50-inch vehicles.
What replaced the Polaris RZR 800?
The RZR 900 replaced the RZR 800 in Polaris’s 2015 sport side-by-side lineup. It introduced substantially more power, updated suspension, quicker steering and a redesigned cockpit.
Does every 2015 RZR 900 have power steering?
No. Electronic Power Steering was included on the RZR 900 Trail Edition and RZR 900 XC Edition, but it was not standard on the base RZR 900.
