The 2016 Polaris RZR XP Turbo brought factory turbocharging to the RZR lineup with 144 horsepower, a reinforced driveline, upgraded cooling and FOX Podium Internal Bypass shocks. More than a simple engine upgrade, the XP Turbo was engineered as a complete high-performance package for dunes, desert terrain, trails and rock crawling.
The original RZR XP 1000 had already raised expectations for naturally aspirated sport side-by-sides, but the arrival of the 2016 RZR XP Turbo marked the beginning of a new factory horsepower race. Aftermarket turbo systems had been popular with dune riders for years, but Polaris integrated forced induction into a production RZR backed by a stronger transmission, revised clutching, improved cooling and upgraded brakes.
2016 Polaris RZR XP Turbo highlights
- 925cc turbocharged ProStar twin-cylinder engine
- 144 horsepower
- Up to 105 lb-ft of peak torque
- Claimed 0–60 mph time of 5.89 seconds
- 64-inch width
- 90-inch wheelbase
- 16 inches of front suspension travel
- 18 inches of rear suspension travel
- 13.5 inches of ground clearance
- FOX Podium Internal Bypass shocks
- 29-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires
- 14-inch cast-aluminum wheels
- High-Performance True On-Demand AWD
- Electronic Power Steering
925cc ProStar Turbo engine
The heart of the 2016 RZR XP Turbo was its 925cc ProStar Turbo engine. The liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder engine produced 144 horsepower and as much as 105 lb-ft of torque. Polaris stated that 80 percent of its torque was available by 3,500 rpm, giving the Turbo a broad powerband instead of requiring the engine to remain near redline.
That power delivery made the XP Turbo useful across more terrain than its horsepower figure might suggest. It delivered the acceleration expected in the dunes and desert while retaining manageable low-speed throttle control for trails and technical terrain.
The engine was designed around forced induction rather than being a standard XP 1000 engine with a turbocharger added. Its heavy-duty internal components included forged pistons, high-strength connecting rods and a forged crankshaft with a 270-degree firing order. Polaris also incorporated a closed-deck cylinder, sodium-filled exhaust valves and a revised oiling system.
A liquid-cooled charge-air system used a front-mounted radiator and high-flow electric pump to control intake temperatures. Engine management included knock detection, electronic boost control and a high-flow return-style fuel system designed to maintain consistent performance across changing temperatures and elevations.
Stronger transmission, clutching and driveline
Adding power was only part of the challenge. Polaris also needed the driveline to survive the additional torque produced by the turbocharged engine.
The XP Turbo received a new high-performance Polaris Variable Transmission system with revised clutches and a dedicated drive belt. A targeted clutch-air cooling system increased airflow through the clutch housing to reduce operating temperatures and improve belt durability.
Behind the clutches was a strengthened transmission with geared reverse and upgraded shafts. Polaris also recalibrated its High-Performance True On-Demand All-Wheel Drive system to transfer the engine’s 144 horsepower to the ground. A close-ratio final drive helped keep the front wheels engaged and pulling when the AWD system detected rear-wheel slip.
These supporting changes were important. The XP Turbo demonstrated that the emerging horsepower race would require manufacturers to develop stronger clutches, belts, transmissions, axles and cooling systems—not merely engines with more boost.
FOX Internal Bypass suspension
The 2016 RZR XP Turbo paired its additional power with FOX Podium Internal Bypass shocks. The front used 2.5-inch shock bodies, while the rear used larger 3-inch shock bodies with increased oil capacity for improved heat management and fade resistance.
The internal bypass design provided position-sensitive damping. Five compression zones progressively increased damping force as the suspension moved through its travel, while three rebound zones helped control pitching and harsh top-out. This allowed the suspension to remain compliant over smaller bumps while adding resistance as it approached full compression.
Dual-rate coil springs provided a lighter initial rate for smaller impacts and a firmer main spring to support the vehicle through larger hits. The combination was intended to improve comfort without giving up the bottoming resistance needed for aggressive desert and dune driving.
Suspension travel and chassis dimensions
The XP Turbo retained the proven 90-inch wheelbase and 64-inch stance of the RZR XP platform. Its three-link trailing-arm rear suspension provided 18 inches of travel, while the dual A-arm front suspension delivered 16 inches.
Ground clearance measured 13.5 inches. The vehicle came equipped with 29-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires mounted on 14-inch cast-aluminum wheels.
The 90-inch wheelbase gave the two-seat Turbo a relatively compact footprint compared with the wider and longer high-performance machines that followed. It remained maneuverable on tighter trails while providing enough stability and suspension travel for rough, open terrain.
Steering, handling and brakes
Electronic Power Steering was standard. A quick steering ratio provided approximately two turns from lock to lock, while the vehicle’s turning radius was listed at 18 feet.
Polaris revised the front and rear sway bars to reduce body roll and improve predictability during high-speed cornering. The AWD calibration, steering geometry and compact wheelbase also helped the Turbo change direction quickly despite its substantial power.
The braking system was upgraded to match the added performance. Triple-piston front calipers and dual-piston rear calipers operated 248mm ventilated discs at all four corners. Stainless-steel rotors improved stopping power and heat management during aggressive driving.
How did the RZR XP Turbo perform?
Although the XP Turbo was naturally suited to dunes and high-speed desert terrain, our testing showed that it was more versatile than its 144-horsepower output suggested.
We first tested it in technical Sierra Nevada terrain for our Polaris RZR XP Turbo rock-crawling review. The turbocharger did not create the abrupt low-speed response we had expected. Throttle control remained predictable, and the additional torque helped the vehicle work through difficult obstacles.
In our RZR XP Turbo dune review, the difference from the naturally aspirated XP 1000 was more obvious. The Turbo required less momentum for steep climbs and could accelerate out of situations that demanded more careful planning in the XP 1000.
That broad capability became the basis for our 2016 RZR XP Turbo build. Rather than turning it into a single-purpose dune machine, we developed it to work in rocks, dunes, desert terrain, mud and snow.
Cab and driver comfort
The XP Turbo used the familiar RZR XP cockpit layout with the occupants positioned low and near the center of the chassis. Bolstered seats, factory quarter doors, tilt steering and shaped footwells helped hold the driver and passenger in position over rough terrain.
For 2016, Polaris revised the seating angle to position the driver closer to the steering wheel. This allowed a more natural arm position and reduced the need to reach forward while driving. Adjustable shoulder-belt sliders helped accommodate occupants of different heights.
Electrical system and accessories
A 660-watt charging system supported lighting, audio and other electrical accessories. The battery was rated at 575 cold-cranking amps and 44 amp-hours, while a three-post accessory terminal simplified keyed-power and constant-power connections.
The chassis included integrated accessory mounting points and designated wire-routing areas. Polaris offered more than 145 accessories, including roofs, windshields, doors, bumpers, rock sliders, lighting, audio systems, cargo boxes and coolers.
2016 Polaris RZR XP Turbo specifications
| Engine | 925cc turbocharged, liquid-cooled twin-cylinder ProStar |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 144 hp |
| Peak torque | Up to 105 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | Automatic PVT; High-Performance True On-Demand AWD |
| Power steering | Electronic Power Steering |
| Front suspension | Dual A-arm with 16 inches of travel |
| Rear suspension | Three-link trailing arm with 18 inches of travel |
| Front shocks | 2.5-inch FOX Podium Internal Bypass |
| Rear shocks | 3.0-inch FOX Podium Internal Bypass |
| Ground clearance | 13.5 inches |
| Wheelbase | 90 inches |
| Width | 64 inches |
| Tires | 29-inch Maxxis Bighorn |
| Wheels | 14-inch cast aluminum |
| Brakes | 248mm ventilated discs; triple-piston front and dual-piston rear calipers |
| Colors | Graphite Crystal, Spectra Orange and Velocity Blue |
Why the 2016 RZR XP Turbo mattered
The 2016 XP Turbo was a pivotal model in the history of the Polaris RZR. Its 144-horsepower engine brought factory turbo performance to the lineup and helped push the sport side-by-side market toward increasingly powerful, specialized machines.
Polaris increased the XP Turbo to 168 horsepower for 2017, and competitors soon answered with new high-output platforms of their own. Wider stances, longer suspension travel and increasingly sophisticated electronic controls followed, but the 2016 XP Turbo helped establish the formula.
It also proved that a factory-turbocharged UTV could be more than a straight-line dune machine. With controlled power delivery, a compact 64-inch chassis and capable suspension, the first RZR XP Turbo could handle rocks and trails as effectively as it attacked dunes and open desert.
2016 RZR XP Turbo recall
Polaris recalled the 2016 RZR XP Turbo and RZR XP 4 Turbo in September 2016 because the engine could overheat and a turbo drain tube could loosen, posing a fire hazard. The recall covered approximately 13,000 vehicles, including vehicles involved in an earlier December 2015 recall. If you own or are considering a used XP Turbo, check its VIN through Polaris’s recall lookup and confirm any required repair with a dealer. See the CPSC recall notice for the original details.
