The 2013 Polaris RANGER XP 900 was one of the first utility side-by-sides that we could use for serious property work during the week and genuinely enjoy driving on the weekend. Over the course of our long-term test, we used it to mow fields, haul fencing materials, move firewood and transport nearly 1,000 pounds of wood pellets. We also took it hunting, supported an Ultra4 race and drove it in the dunes.
That range of jobs provided a much better picture of the RANGER than a short press introduction could. The XP 900 was still unmistakably a utility UTV, but its stronger engine, more comfortable chassis and quieter cockpit made it considerably more versatile than the full-size RANGER models that preceded it.
Our 2013 RANGER XP 900
Our Sunset Red Limited Edition was equipped with black 12-inch Xcelerator wheels, PXT tires, an adjustable driver’s seat and silver-painted suspension springs. Electronic power steering was optional on the XP 900 and included on selected EPS and Limited Edition versions.
The original 2013 model used an 875cc ProStar twin-cylinder engine producing 60 horsepower. The frequently quoted 68-horsepower rating applies to later versions beginning with the 2015 model year—not the machine tested here.
- 875cc liquid-cooled ProStar twin-cylinder engine
- 60 horsepower
- Automatic PVT transmission with High and Low range
- On-Demand True AWD, 2WD and VersaTrac Turf Mode
- 1,000-pound cargo-box capacity
- 1,500-pound total payload capacity
- 2,000-pound towing capacity
- Three-person bench seating
- 10 inches of front and rear suspension travel
- 12 inches of ground clearance
For the complete factory specifications and an explanation of what changed for this generation, see our 2013 Polaris RANGER XP 900 model guide.
What Stood Out During Long-Term Use
Real Cargo and Towing Capability
The XP 900’s utility ratings were more than numbers on a specification sheet. Its 1,000-pound cargo-box rating allowed us to move heavy supplies that would otherwise have required a pickup or tractor. The box was large enough for a standard pallet, while the gas-assist dump mechanism made unloading loose material easier.
We carried fencing supplies, compost, straw bales, firewood and a pallet holding more than 900 pounds of wood pellets. The suspension naturally settled under the heaviest loads, but the machine remained a genuinely useful property-maintenance tool when operated within its payload rating.
Better Low-Speed Control
The ProStar engine delivered a meaningful performance increase over the previous full-size RANGER without becoming difficult to control around livestock, trailers or equipment. Low range provided the control needed for pulling a mower and maneuvering with heavy cargo, while Turf Mode helped reduce ground disturbance during work around the property.
A Quieter, More Comfortable Platform
Polaris moved the engine beneath the cargo box and isolated the engine and transmission from the chassis. That configuration reduced the noise and vibration reaching the occupants compared with earlier RANGER platforms. The longer wheelbase, revised cockpit and 10 inches of suspension travel also made the XP 900 more comfortable when a job required spending several hours in the vehicle.
Useful Beyond the Jobsite
The XP 900 was not a sport UTV, but it had enough power and suspension performance to be enjoyable away from the property. We used it in snow, on hunting trips and as an official vehicle at an Ultra4 event. At Sand Mountain, its predictable power delivery, stability and cargo room made it a surprisingly practical dune vehicle. Read our separate Polaris RANGER XP 900 dune review for the full sand test.
RANGER XP 900 Long-Term Use Log
April 2013: Field Mowing
We paired the RANGER with a Kuntz rough-cut field mower. Low range and the machine’s controlled throttle response worked well for maintaining uneven areas where a conventional lawn mower was not appropriate.
Ultra4 NorCal Stampede Support Vehicle
The RANGER served as a track-official vehicle at the Ultra4 NorCal Stampede. Its cargo space, three-person bench and ability to move around rough sections of the course made it well suited to event support.
December 2012: Elk Hunting in Nevada
Cold weather, snow and uneven terrain gave us another opportunity to test the RANGER away from the property. The bench seat and cargo box provided room for occupants and hunting equipment, while the AWD system supplied useful traction when conditions deteriorated.
November 2012: Tires, Fencing and Property Work
We replaced the original tires and wheels with 27.5-inch Pit Bull tires mounted on No Limit wheels. The slightly larger setup improved clearance while retaining the RANGER’s everyday utility.
The cargo box was regularly used for fencing projects and moving equipment around the property.
We also transported straw bales and pulled the rough-cut mower while spreading straw.
October 2012: Sand Mountain
A trip to Sand Mountain showed the recreational side of the XP 900. Its 60-horsepower engine did not turn it into a RZR, but the broad power delivery, stable chassis and comfortable seating made it entertaining in terrain normally associated with sport UTVs.
Hauling Compost
Fence Repairs and Changes
The RANGER carried tools, posts and other supplies as we repaired and rearranged fencing. This kind of repeated short-distance work was one of the machine’s strongest applications.
Working Around Livestock
Hauling More Than 900 Pounds of Wood Pellets
One of our heaviest jobs involved hauling a pallet containing more than 900 pounds of wood pellets. That placed the load close to the cargo box’s 1,000-pound factory rating and demonstrated why the pallet-sized box was such a useful part of the redesigned platform.
Long-Term Verdict
The 2013 RANGER XP 900 succeeded because it did not force us to choose between a useful work vehicle and an enjoyable trail machine. Its 1,000-pound cargo rating, 2,000-pound towing capacity and Turf Mode made it a legitimate tool, while the 60-horsepower ProStar engine, longer chassis and improved suspension broadened its recreational ability.
Its performance and interior refinement are modest by current full-size UTV standards, but that comparison also illustrates the XP 900’s importance. Many of the qualities now expected from a modern utility side-by-side—strong acceleration, comfortable suspension, an integrated cab structure and genuine work-and-trail versatility—came together on this platform.
The RANGER XP 900 remained in the Polaris lineup through 2019. For a broader look at where this model fits, see the history of the Polaris RANGER and our current Polaris RANGER models, reviews and buying guide.
