By Jon Crowley
Polaris supplied UTVGuide with a 2012 Polaris RZR XP 4 900 Limited Edition for long-term evaluation. Instead of limiting the test to a single press ride, we used the four-seat sport UTV in several very different environments, including the Parker desert, the Glamis dunes, a rock-racing course at Prairie City SVRA and the dunes at Sand Mountain, Nevada.
The RZR XP 4 900 was a significant machine when it arrived. It combined the performance hardware of the original RZR XP 900 with four seats and a longer wheelbase, establishing a formula that remains central to the sport UTV market. This review documents what it was like to drive that original four-seat XP in real riding conditions.
2012 Polaris RZR XP 4 900 highlights
The 2012 RZR XP 4 900 was powered by an 88-horsepower ProStar 900 engine. Its chassis used Polaris’ three-link trailing-arm rear suspension, with premium Walker Evans shocks intended to handle aggressive riding and rough terrain.
- 88-horsepower ProStar 900 engine
- Three-link trailing-arm independent rear suspension
- Standard 2.5-inch-body Walker Evans rear shocks
- 12.5 inches of ground clearance
- Dual-bore brake calipers at all four wheels
- Four-seat cabin
Our Liquid Silver Limited Edition added several functional and cosmetic upgrades:
- Electronic power steering
- Maxxis Bighorn tires
- 12-inch black Crusher aluminum wheels
- Black-and-white cut-and-sew seats with red RZR emblems
- Liquid Silver painted dash and gloss-black hood
- Color-matched suspension springs
- White Lightning painted control arms, trailing arms and radius rods
- Limited Edition graphics
For more background on the model and its original specifications, see our 2012 Polaris RZR XP 4 900 introduction.
First drive near Parker, Arizona
Our time with the XP 4 began near Parker, Arizona. Polaris coordinated the media introduction with the opening race of the 2012 Best in the Desert season. That allowed us to watch the Jagged X RZR XP 4 900 make its racing debut before spending a full day driving on and around the Parker 250 racecourse.
The desert was an appropriate place to experience the four-seater. Its longer wheelbase helped it remain composed through rough, fast terrain, while the 88-horsepower engine gave the larger chassis the performance expected from an XP model.
Read the complete trip report: 2012 Polaris RZR XP 4 900 First Drive in Parker.
Testing the RZR XP 4 at Glamis
From Parker, we took the RZR XP 4 directly to Glamis. A four-seat machine naturally carries more wheelbase and mass than a two-seater, but the XP 4 remained capable and entertaining in the dunes. Its power delivery and suspension allowed it to maintain momentum through bowls and rough, tracked-up sand.
The long wheelbase also made the machine more settled when crossing uneven terrain at speed. It did not feel as compact as a two-seat RZR, but it was far more agile in the dunes than its overall length suggested.
See more photos and driving impressions in Polaris RZR XP 4 900 Takes on Glamis.
Nor Cal Rock Racing at Prairie City
The next test was very different. Rick from Placerville Polaris raced our XP 4 at Prairie City SVRA during a Nor Cal Rock Racing event. The rough course gave us an opportunity to evaluate the suspension and chassis outside the open desert and dunes.
Despite its four-seat dimensions, the RZR negotiated the uneven course well. The trailing-arm rear suspension and Walker Evans shocks helped it maintain control through the rough sections, while power steering reduced driver effort in tighter terrain.
Sand Mountain, Nevada
Sand Mountain reinforced what we had learned at Glamis: the original RZR XP 4 was surprisingly nimble for a four-seater. It carried speed well through rough sand, remained predictable in the air and provided enough performance to make the longer chassis fun rather than cumbersome.
Pro Armor doors and harnesses
We installed Pro Armor doors and harnesses during the long-term test. The doors added more substantial side coverage than the original factory restraints, while the harnesses provided better occupant support during aggressive driving and over rough terrain.
Long-term impressions
The 2012 Polaris RZR XP 4 900 demonstrated that a four-seat sport UTV could deliver much of the performance and agility associated with a two-seat machine. The longer wheelbase was noticeable in tight terrain, but it also contributed to a stable and composed ride in the desert and through rough dune transitions.
Its strongest traits were its versatile chassis, capable suspension and ability to carry four people without reducing the experience to a casual trail ride. The 88-horsepower engine is modest compared with modern high-output sport UTVs, but it gave the XP 4 strong performance by 2012 standards and worked well with the chassis.
Our testing also exposed the machine to a wider range of conditions than a typical first-drive review. It traveled from the Parker desert to Glamis, competed on a rough closed course at Prairie City and returned to the dunes at Sand Mountain. Across those trips, the XP 4 repeatedly proved that the original four-seat XP concept was about more than adding a second row of seats.
Final verdict
The original RZR XP 4 900 successfully transferred the character of the RZR XP platform into a four-seat package. It was stable at speed, capable in rough terrain and unexpectedly playful in the dunes. More importantly, it helped establish four-seat performance UTVs as a serious part of the sport market rather than merely stretched versions of two-seat machines.
Today, the 2012 XP 4 is best viewed in the context of its age. Buyers considering a used example should evaluate its maintenance history, suspension condition, wheel bearings, bushings, driveline components and any modifications individually. A well-maintained machine can still be an enjoyable recreational UTV, but condition matters more than the original specification sheet.
Explore the broader story of the platform in our history of the Polaris RZR.
