For the 2015 model year, John Deere gave two of its most recognizable Gator models an appearance far removed from the company’s traditional green-and-yellow color scheme. The limited-production John Deere Gator XUV825i Midnight Black and RSX850i Midnight Black special editions combined matte-black bodywork with factory-installed accessories tailored to each vehicle’s mission.
The two models were announced in August 2014 and offered in limited quantities through select John Deere dealers. Although they shared the same dark styling theme, the XUV825i remained focused on work and crossover utility while the RSX850i received equipment aimed more toward recreational trail riding.
John Deere Gator XUV825i Midnight Black Special Edition Gator
John Deere Gator XUV825i Midnight Black
The John Deere Gator XUV825i Midnight Black Special Edition used an 812cc, three-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 50 horsepower. Its defining feature was a custom matte-black finish with charcoal-gray graphics, but the package included more than cosmetic changes.
Standard equipment included power steering, a sport steering wheel, high-performance exhaust, long-range lighting and poly half doors. John Deere also fitted matte-black alloy wheels with Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires and added a spray-in liner to the deluxe cargo box.
Buyers could choose either sport bucket seats or a bench seat. An available power and front-protection package added a power cargo-box lift, heavy-duty front brush guard, front fender guards and floor mats.
John Deere Gator RSX850i Midnight Black
The recreational John Deere Gator RSX850i Midnight Black Special Edition paired its matte-black finish and charcoal-gray graphics with black-and-silver alloy wheels and Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires.
Its 839cc V-twin engine produced 62 horsepower, while the special Trail-Sport equipment package added FOX 2.0 Performance Series shocks, a PreRunner front bumper and a Warn 3,500-pound winch. It also included HELLA HID Sport lights, a full aluminum underbody skid plate, side nerf bars, cargo-box rails and a 2-inch front receiver hitch.
Special-edition door closeout panels and high-performance sport seats completed the package. Compared with the utility-oriented XUV825i, the RSX850i Midnight Black was clearly intended for owners who placed a greater emphasis on trail performance and aggressive styling.
A Distinctive Chapter in Gator History
The Midnight Black models did not introduce an entirely new platform, but they showed John Deere experimenting with limited-production styling and more extensively equipped factory packages. They also arrived during the short period when the company offered both the work-focused XUV825i and the sportier RSX850i.
Both vehicles have since been discontinued and are now found only on the used market. Their combination of factory accessories and distinctive matte-black bodywork may make complete, well-preserved examples particularly interesting to John Deere enthusiasts.
For more background on the models and how they fit into the company’s broader vehicle development, explore the history of the John Deere Gator. You can also compare today’s utility vehicles in our guide to the current John Deere Gator lineup.
See more John Deere Gator news, reviews and model guides on UTVGuide.net.
