By Jon Crowley
The limited-production 2013 Polaris RZR XP 900 H.O. Jagged X Edition combined the long wheelbase of the four-seat RZR XP 4 with a two-seat cockpit, additional storage and a collection of factory-installed performance upgrades. Polaris invited us to test the new machine in the Glamis dunes during the first Camp RZR.
Its defining features included a 94-horsepower ProStar 900 H.O. engine, SLP stainless-steel exhaust, Walker Evans suspension, electronic power steering, PRP seats, full doors and two removable cargo boxes. On paper, it looked like a factory-built desert and dune machine. The real question was whether the extra power and longer chassis would deliver a meaningful advantage in the sand.
For a complete breakdown of its equipment and specifications, see our 2013 Polaris RZR XP 900 H.O. Jagged X Edition model guide.
What Made the Jagged X Edition Different?
The Jagged X Edition was not merely an XP 900 with a graphics package. Polaris started with the 107.4-inch-wheelbase RZR XP 4 chassis but configured it for two occupants. The area normally occupied by the rear seats held a pair of removable, weather-sealed storage boxes.
That arrangement created an unusual combination for its time: a roomy two-seat cockpit, generous protected storage and the stability of a four-seat chassis. It was especially well suited to the open dunes and fast desert terrain where a longer wheelbase can help the vehicle bridge chop and whoops.
The vehicle was also the first RZR equipped with Polaris’ high-output version of the ProStar 900 engine. Advertised output increased from 88 to 94 horsepower through revised camshaft profiles, stiffer valve springs, updated calibration, revised clutch weights and a factory-installed SLP exhaust.
First Ride at Camp RZR
Polaris hosted the first Camp RZR on approximately 10 acres near the Glamis Beach Store. The event brought RZR owners, aftermarket companies, racers and media together at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area in Southern California.
Polaris supplied the media with Jagged X Edition demo vehicles and gave us a brief overview before turning us loose in the dunes. I joined Cody from Dirt Wheels, Troy and Don from UTV Off-Road Magazine and Wally from Dirt Sports for the initial ride.
We departed Glamis Flats and worked through the smaller dunes toward Oldsmobile Hill. After stopping for photographs, the pace increased considerably on the run toward Osborne Overlook.
Long-Wheelbase Handling in the Dunes
The longer chassis was one of the Jagged X Edition’s most noticeable characteristics. It felt more settled through rough, uneven sand than the shorter two-seat XP 900, particularly when maintaining speed across successive bumps and transitions.
The extra length did not turn it into an awkward four-seater. With only two occupants and no rear seat weight, it remained enjoyable to drive through bowls and around tighter dune transitions. It was not as quick to rotate as the standard two-seat XP 900, but the added stability made it easier to carry speed with confidence.
This balance made the Jagged X Edition particularly appealing for the type of riding I enjoy. It provided much of the stability of a four-seat vehicle without dedicating the extra chassis space to passengers.
Preparing the Jagged X RZR for Sand
The following morning, I made a few changes to better suit the vehicle to the dunes. The factory Maxxis Bighorn tires were excellent all-around trail tires, but dedicated sand tires offered better flotation and traction at Glamis.
I installed STU Blaster paddle tires from Fullerton Sand Sports on 12-inch OMF Billet Center beadlock wheels. The interchangeable centers allowed the wheels to be used on several different UTVs.
I also added SSV Works side-view mirrors, an Axia Alloys panoramic rearview mirror and an Axia Alloys fire extinguisher with its matching mount.
Testing with Aaron from PRP Seats
Aaron from PRP Seats stopped by camp to see how the company’s seats looked in the production vehicle. I persuaded him to join me for another ride and spend some time behind the wheel.
The factory-installed PRP seats were a meaningful improvement over the standard XP 900 seats. Their deeper bolsters offered better lateral support while driving aggressively, and the mesh material near the rear of the seat allowed water to drain during cleaning.
Ryan Piplic Drives the Jagged X Edition
Later in the day, I met up with 2012 WORCS champion Ryan Piplic. He was interested in seeing how the additional wheelbase and high-output engine worked together in the dunes.
Having an experienced racer drive the vehicle reinforced the impression that the Jagged X Edition was more than a cosmetic special edition. The chassis, engine and suspension upgrades created a substantially different vehicle from the standard two-seat XP 900.
Power and Acceleration
The six-horsepower increase over the standard XP 900 did not transform the Jagged X Edition into an entirely different class of vehicle, but the added output helped offset the weight of the longer chassis and additional equipment.
Polaris claimed the Jagged X Edition could accelerate from zero to 60 mph as quickly as the shorter and lighter XP 900. The company also claimed it was approximately 17 percent quicker than the four-seat XP 4 900.
In the dunes, the engine delivered solid, usable power. It could maintain momentum across the larger faces without making the long chassis feel excessively heavy. The SLP exhaust produced a more aggressive note than the standard system but was only slightly louder during normal driving.
Walker Evans Suspension Performance
The Jagged X Edition used Walker Evans compression-adjustable reservoir shocks at all four corners. Front travel was 13.5 inches, while the three-link trailing-arm rear suspension provided 14 inches of travel through larger 2.5-inch-body shocks.
The additional oil volume in the rear shocks was useful during extended runs through rough terrain, but the stock calibration was set up for a broad range of owners and conditions. With two occupants aboard, I had to increase the compression damping considerably to reduce bottoming.
For my preferred mix of aggressive dune and desert driving, I would have wanted firmer, more specialized shock valving. That was a tuning preference rather than a fundamental problem with the suspension.
PRP Seats and Driving Position
The driver’s seat provided more than three inches of fore-and-aft adjustment. Combined with the roomier long-wheelbase cockpit, this gave taller drivers considerably more legroom than the regular XP 900.
At 6 feet 1 inch tall, I appreciated the additional space. However, moving the seat far enough rearward for comfortable legroom left the steering wheel farther away than I preferred. A telescoping steering column would have helped drivers fine-tune the relationship between the seat, pedals and wheel.
The passenger seat was fixed in place. Giving the passenger a sliding seat base would have made the cab more comfortable for a wider range of occupants.
Removable Rear Storage Boxes
Each rear cargo box provided approximately 2.5 cubic feet of protected storage. Both boxes had lockable lids and could be removed when necessary.
The boxes attached using the stock rear-seat mounting locations, making the design both simple and versatile. They provided useful space for tools, spare parts, recovery equipment, clothing and other supplies that would otherwise be exposed to dust and weather.
This was one of the Jagged X Edition’s best features. It turned the long chassis into a practical two-person desert vehicle and later helped inspire our RZR XP 4 Turbo S adventure build.
Factory-Installed Doors
The lightweight aluminum door panels were supported by steel frames, hinges and latches. Rubber-mounted vibration dampeners helped limit rattles while driving through rough terrain.
Full doors were still uncommon as factory equipment on sport UTVs in 2013. Their inclusion helped make the Jagged X Edition feel like a genuinely complete package rather than a base model awaiting an extensive accessory order.
Factory SLP Exhaust
The stainless-steel SLP silencer increased exhaust flow and complemented the engine’s revised camshafts, valve springs and calibration. Its dual outlets also gave the rear of the Jagged X Edition a distinctive appearance.
The system produced a more aggressive exhaust note than the standard XP 900 silencer, but it was not dramatically louder from the cockpit.
Custom Cab Frame
The custom cab frame sat lower at the rear than the standard RZR XP 4 cage and extended toward the rear differential area. Its shape visually reduced the height of the long vehicle and gave the Jagged X Edition a more aggressive profile.
Voodoo Blue paint tied the frame into the suspension springs, beadlock rings, valve cover and Jagged X-inspired graphics.
Walker Evans Beadlocks and Maxxis Bighorns
Polaris equipped the vehicle with 26-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires on black powder-coated Walker Evans Racing aluminum wheels. The blue beadlock rings continued the color theme and allowed the tire’s outer bead to be mechanically secured for low-pressure operation.
The Bighorns were a good all-around tire for mixed terrain. One odd detail was that the tires arrived mounted on the wheels’ standard inner bead rather than beneath the functional outer beadlock rings. Owners who wanted to use the beadlocks as intended had to remount the tires.
Electronic Power Steering
The variable-assist Electronic Power Steering reduced steering effort and driver fatigue. EPS was especially valuable during long dune rides, where the driver is constantly making small corrections through bowls, transitions and chopped-up sand.
The calibration felt natural and provided assistance without making the front end feel disconnected.
2013 Polaris RZR XP 900 Jagged X Review Verdict
The RZR XP 900 H.O. Jagged X Edition was a strong addition to the Polaris sport lineup. Its longer chassis provided noticeably better stability in rough dunes, while the two-seat configuration preserved useful cargo capacity and avoided carrying the unnecessary weight of rear seats.
The 94-horsepower engine delivered ample power for the Glamis dunes. The PRP seats, electronic power steering and additional legroom made it comfortable during longer rides, while the factory doors, SLP exhaust, beadlock wheels and storage boxes created an unusually complete stock vehicle.
My principal criticisms involved the driving position and suspension calibration. A telescoping steering wheel would have better accommodated taller drivers, and an adjustable passenger seat would have improved cockpit versatility. More aggressive rear-shock valving would also have better matched my preferred dune and desert pace.
Those issues did not overshadow the vehicle’s strengths. The Jagged X Edition proved that a long-wheelbase RZR could work exceptionally well as a dedicated two-person desert and dune machine. It also foreshadowed the increasingly specialized, highly equipped models that would become an important part of the Polaris RZR lineup.
What We Liked
- Long wheelbase provided excellent stability in rough dunes
- 94-horsepower engine delivered solid power
- PRP seats offered good support and comfort
- Electronic Power Steering reduced fatigue
- Removable cargo boxes provided substantial protected storage
- Full doors, beadlock wheels and SLP exhaust were standard
- Distinctive styling reflected the Jagged X desert-racing connection
What We Would Change
- Add a telescoping steering column
- Make the passenger seat adjustable
- Use firmer suspension calibration for aggressive dune and desert driving
- Mount the factory tires beneath the functional beadlock rings
More Photos from Camp RZR at Glamis
More RZR XP 900 Jagged X Coverage
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- 2013 RZR XP 900 H.O. Jagged X Edition features and specifications
- RZR XP 900 H.O. Jagged X Edition model overview
- RZR XP 900 H.O. Jagged X Edition long-term review
- Polaris RZR XP 900 history, specifications and legacy
- History of the Polaris RZR
- First Camp RZR at Glamis trip report
- “The Beast” Polaris RZR XP 900 Jagged X buildup
