Axiom Side x Side: Upgrading Off-Road Adventures in Response to the Polaris Ranger XD 1500

As revealed in Field and Stream’s article “First Look: 2024 Polaris Ranger XD 1500,” the world of side-by-side UTVs has been progressively erasing the lines that once separated pickup trucks from dedicated off-road vehicles. Polaris, a leader in the industry, is set to take this transformation even further with the new Polaris Ranger XD 1500. After nearly seven years in development, Polaris is branding this new Ranger as the workhorse of their lineup, a title it proudly carries with more horsepower and torque than many thought possible in a UTV.

To gain an in-depth understanding of this off-road marvel, I had the privilege of spending a few hours behind the wheel of the new Ranger XD 1500, tackling a variety of terrains at the renowned Three Forks Ranch on the Colorado-Wyoming border. Here’s my honest review after putting the machine through its paces in the unforgiving high desert.

Meets the Challenge

The Ranger XD 1500 may not appear vastly different from Polaris’ standard XP 1000 models at first glance. However, appearances can be deceiving. The “XD” in its name stands for “extreme duty,” and it lives up to that moniker. While it maintains the same width and similar height, the new machine is slightly longer and significantly heavier. The difference might not be readily apparent until you see the XP and the XD side by side. The XD is essentially a Ranger on steroids, with an A-arm suspension, larger shocks, beefier tires, enhanced bumpers, and a more spacious bed box.

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Photo and article with all rights reserved, courtesy of fieldandstream.com