2014 Polaris RZR XP 4 1000: Features, Specs and History

The Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 brought the performance of the two-seat RZR XP 1000 to a four-passenger chassis for the 2014 model year. With a 107-horsepower ProStar engine, a 117-inch wheelbase, Walker Evans needle shocks and room for four adults, it represented a major step forward for the four-seat sport UTV category.

Polaris had already helped establish the four-seat performance segment with the RZR 4 800 and later raised the bar with the RZR XP 4 900. The RZR XP 4 1000 continued that progression by combining more power, additional suspension travel, a longer chassis and a substantially improved passenger compartment.

This article covers the original RZR XP 4 1000’s features, specifications and 2015 updates. For our firsthand driving impressions from California’s Imperial Sand Dunes, read our 2014 Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 review from Glamis.

Why the RZR XP 4 1000 Mattered

The original Polaris RZR XP 1000 introduced a new generation of RZR performance with its 999cc engine, trailing-arm rear suspension and updated chassis. Only a few months later, Polaris extended those advances to a four-passenger platform.

Adding two seats to a sport UTV involves more than stretching the frame. The vehicle must carry additional weight, provide usable rear-passenger room and remain stable when loaded without sacrificing the responsiveness expected from a performance machine.

Polaris addressed those challenges with a 117-inch wheelbase, revised suspension calibration, larger rear shocks and a passenger compartment positioned lower in the chassis. The resulting four-seater felt different from the shorter XP 1000, but retained the acceleration and sporting character that made the two-seat model successful.

The XP 4 1000 also became an important chapter in the broader history of the Polaris RZR. It helped establish that a four-passenger UTV could deliver serious performance rather than simply providing additional seating.

107-Horsepower ProStar 1000 Engine

The 2014 RZR XP 4 1000 used a liquid-cooled, 999cc ProStar parallel-twin engine rated at 107 horsepower. Its dual-overhead-cam design featured four valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection and dual throttle bodies.

Power reached the wheels through Polaris’ automatic PVT transmission with Park, Reverse, Neutral, Low and High ranges. Drivers could select two-wheel drive or Polaris’ On-Demand True AWD system, which automatically engaged the front wheels when additional traction was required.

Polaris promoted the XP 4 1000 as the quickest-accelerating four-seater on the market when it was introduced. That was a period claim rather than a comparison with modern sport UTVs, but the 107-horsepower engine gave the machine legitimate performance even with four occupants aboard.

Walker Evans Needle-Shock Suspension

Polaris equipped the RZR XP 4 1000 with Walker Evans position-sensitive, anti-bottoming needle shocks at all four corners. The front used 2-inch piggyback-reservoir shocks, while the rear received larger 2.5-inch shocks with remote reservoirs.

The rear shocks were strengthened for the additional vehicle and passenger weight, and all four shocks received model-specific valving. Compression damping could be adjusted through 16 positions, while threaded spring preload allowed owners to compensate for passengers, cargo and accessories.

Dual-rate coil springs accompanied the shocks, providing 16 inches of front suspension travel and 18 inches at the rear. Standard 29-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires added sidewall volume and helped the machine achieve 13.5 inches of ground clearance.

The long 117-inch wheelbase contributed to a smoother and more stable ride over uneven terrain. While the additional length required more room to turn than the two-seat XP 1000, it also reduced the pitching and bucking that can affect shorter vehicles over abrupt bumps and dune transitions.

Longer, Lower Tubular Chassis

The RZR XP 4 1000 used a high-strength tubular chassis designed to reduce flex and maintain more consistent suspension geometry during aggressive driving. Its 146-inch overall length made it approximately 12 inches longer than the previous XP 4 900, while its wheelbase grew by 10 inches.

Despite the added length, the XP 4 1000 remained 64 inches wide. That gave it the same basic width as the two-seat XP 1000 while adding a second row of seating.

Polaris lowered the cab frame compared with the XP 4 900 and used a relatively flat second-row seating arrangement. Positioning the passengers lower in the chassis helped manage the center of gravity and gave the four-seater a more responsive feel than its overall size might suggest.

Four-Passenger Interior

The XP 4 1000’s interior received several important improvements over earlier four-seat RZR models. Larger door openings and a lower step-in height made it easier to enter both rows, while factory quarter doors provided more protection than the nets used on many earlier sport UTVs.

The driver and front passenger received tool-free sliding seat adjustments and redesigned footrests. The steering wheel offered approximately 10 inches of tilt adjustment, allowing drivers of different sizes to find a more comfortable position.

Rear passengers benefited from deeper footwells, angled footrests and sculpted front seatbacks that created additional knee and legroom. Rear cup holders and a 12-volt outlet were also included.

All four seats featured improved side bolstering and additional hip cushioning. Polaris also placed a moisture-resistant film beneath the seat covers to help prevent water from soaking through after rain, washing or wet trail conditions.

Blue LED floor lighting illuminated both rows, and floor drains made it easier to clean accumulated mud, sand and water from the cabin.

Factory Doors, Storage and Accessories

Factory-installed quarter doors were standard equipment. Their one-hand latches were easier to operate than nets, and the door shape provided elbow room without making entry unnecessarily difficult.

The XP 4 1000 also included sealed storage compartments and the Polaris Lock & Ride cargo system. Although its shallow rear cargo area could not match the bed capacity of a utility UTV, it provided space for tools, recovery gear and smaller trail supplies.

Polaris designed the chassis with integrated mounting locations and wire-routing passages for accessories. Roofs, windshields, rear panels, bumpers and rock sliders could be installed using designated mounting points instead of requiring extensive fabrication.

That accessory-friendly design also made the model a popular aftermarket platform. Our subsequent Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 build project demonstrates how the original machine could be developed beyond its stock configuration.

What Changed for the 2015 RZR XP 4 1000?

Polaris increased engine output from 107 to 110 horsepower for the 2015 model year. The changes included high-output camshafts, stiffer valve springs and an 11:1 compression ratio.

A revised closed-loop exhaust system with a catalytic converter was intended to improve efficiency and emissions while supporting the additional power. Polaris also updated the intake cover, drive belt and clutch cover.

Additional clutch-cover ducting provided substantially more cooling airflow to help the belt and clutch system manage the engine’s increased output. Electronic Power Steering remained standard.

2014 Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 Specifications

These specifications apply to the original 2014 model unless otherwise noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much horsepower did the RZR XP 4 1000 have?

The original 2014 Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 produced 107 horsepower. Polaris increased output to 110 horsepower for the 2015 model year.

What was the RZR XP 4 1000’s wheelbase?

The RZR XP 4 1000 had a 117-inch wheelbase. That was 27 inches longer than the original two-seat XP 1000 and 10 inches longer than the previous RZR XP 4 900.

How much suspension travel did it have?

The original XP 4 1000 offered 16 inches of front suspension travel and 18 inches at the rear. Walker Evans position-sensitive needle shocks were used at all four corners.

How was the XP 4 1000 different from the XP 4 900?

The XP 4 1000 received a larger and more powerful 999cc engine, a 10-inch-longer wheelbase, additional suspension travel, 29-inch tires, more ground clearance, factory quarter doors and a redesigned passenger compartment. It was faster, roomier and more stable than the XP 4 900.

Is the RZR XP 4 1000 a 64-inch-wide UTV?

Yes. The original RZR XP 4 1000 was 64 inches wide, despite its longer four-passenger chassis.

Is a used RZR XP 4 1000 still worth considering?

A well-maintained XP 4 1000 can still be an entertaining family sport UTV, but condition is critical. Prospective buyers should inspect the clutch and drive belt, air-intake system, wheel bearings, ball joints, suspension bushings, CV joints, radius rods, frame and skid plates. Maintenance records are especially valuable on vehicles that may have been driven aggressively or extensively modified.

Final Thoughts

The Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 marked an important stage in the evolution of the four-seat sport UTV. It combined the 999cc performance of the original XP 1000 with a stable 117-inch wheelbase, long-travel Walker Evans suspension and a cabin that could accommodate four adults.

More importantly, it demonstrated that adding rear seats did not have to turn a performance UTV into a slow or cumbersome machine. The XP 4 1000 helped establish the basic formula that continues to define modern four-seat RZR models: strong power, long-travel suspension, increased stability and enough passenger capacity to share the experience.

For firsthand impressions of how the original model accelerated, handled and jumped in the dunes, continue to our Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 Glamis review.