The 2011 Polaris RANGER CREW 500 expanded the company’s midsize utility lineup with seating for four, a 498cc fuel-injected engine and a value-oriented $9,999 starting price. It combined the compact dimensions of the midsize RANGER platform with a longer cab and wheelbase for carrying additional passengers.
The RANGER CREW 500 was introduced alongside the two-seat RANGER 500 EFI for the 2011 model year. Both models used a 32-horsepower, liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, but the CREW stretched the platform to provide two rows of seating.
For more information about the evolution of the lineup, see our Polaris RANGER models, reviews and buying guide.
Four-Passenger Midsize RANGER
The extended cab offered two-row seating for four adults and a relatively open floor area designed to make entering, exiting and sliding across the seats easier. Its 58-inch width was narrower than Polaris’ full-size RANGER CREW models, although its 140-inch overall length still reflected the space required for the second row.
Power came from a 498cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine with electronic fuel injection. Polaris rated the engine at 32 horsepower and listed a top speed of 44 mph. EFI eliminated the need for a manual choke while automatically compensating for changes in elevation and operating conditions.
Utility and Drivetrain Features
The RANGER CREW 500 retained the practical equipment expected from a Polaris utility side-by-side. Its Lock & Ride cargo box was rated to carry 500 pounds and included gas-assist dumping. Total payload and hitch towing capacity were each listed at 1,250 pounds.
The drivetrain combined Polaris’ automatic PVT transmission with selectable two-wheel drive, On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive and VersaTrac Turf Mode. Turf Mode unlocked the rear differential to reduce damage when driving across lawns or other sensitive surfaces.
- 32-horsepower 498cc EFI engine
- Automatic PVT transmission with high, low, neutral, reverse and park
- On-Demand True AWD, two-wheel drive and VersaTrac Turf Mode
- 44 mph claimed top speed
- 500-pound Lock & Ride cargo-box capacity
- 1,250-pound payload capacity
- 1,250-pound hitch towing rating
- Standard 2-inch receiver
- ROPS-certified cab structure
- Seating for four occupants
Suspension and Chassis
MacPherson-strut front suspension provided 8 inches of wheel travel, while the independent dual-A-arm rear suspension delivered 9 inches. Ground clearance was listed at 10 inches.
The RANGER CREW 500 rode on 25-inch Polaris 489 tires mounted on stamped-steel wheels. Four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes with dual-bore front calipers handled stopping duties.
2011 Polaris RANGER CREW 500 Specifications
| Engine | Liquid-cooled four-stroke single cylinder |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 498cc |
| Fuel system | Electronic fuel injection |
| Claimed horsepower | 32 hp |
| Claimed top speed | 44 mph |
| Transmission | Automatic PVT; high, low, neutral, reverse and park |
| Final drive | Shaft |
| Drive system | On-Demand True AWD, 2WD and VersaTrac Turf Mode |
| Front suspension | MacPherson strut; 8 inches of travel |
| Rear suspension | Dual A-arm independent rear suspension; 9 inches of travel |
| Brakes | Four-wheel hydraulic discs with dual-bore front calipers |
| Front tires | 25 x 10-12 Polaris 489 |
| Rear tires | 25 x 11-12 Polaris 489 |
| Wheels | Stamped steel |
| Wheelbase | 104 inches |
| Overall dimensions | 140 x 58 x 73 inches |
| Ground clearance | 10 inches |
| Dry weight | 1,288 pounds |
| Fuel capacity | 9 gallons |
| Cargo-box dimensions | 32 x 42 x 11.5 inches |
| Cargo-box capacity | 500 pounds |
| Payload capacity | 1,250 pounds |
| Hitch towing rating | 1,250 pounds |
| Hitch | Standard 2-inch receiver |
| Lighting | 50-watt headlights and LED taillights |
| Instrumentation | Digital gauge with speedometer, odometer, tachometer, tripmeter, hour meter, fuel gauge, gear indicator, high-temperature light and DC outlet |
| Seating capacity | Four |
| Colors | Sage Green, Solar Red and Pursuit Camo |
| Original U.S. MSRP | $9,999 |
Specifications and pricing are historical manufacturer figures for the 2011 model year.
2011 Polaris RANGER CREW 500 Photos
Where the RANGER CREW 500 Fits in Polaris History
The 2011 RANGER CREW 500 was an early attempt to bring multi-passenger seating into a smaller and less expensive utility platform. It offered less power and interior space than the full-size RANGER CREW, but its four-person capacity, EFI engine and $9,999 MSRP made it a more accessible crew-cab option.
Polaris has since expanded the RANGER family with newer two-, three- and six-passenger platforms. Visit our Polaris archive for additional historical models, reviews and current UTV coverage.
