I picked the right riding partner during my test of the side-by-side 2018 Polaris RZR XP Turbo S. Turns out my friend and fellow journalist Manuel Carrillo III grew up in the Inland Empire in Southern California, and desert trail riding is in his blood. He knows how to drive a side-by-side safely and very rapidly, and he’s a nice guy who won’t go so fast that I’ll scream like a little girl – much. We’re both attending the launch event for the latest and greatest RZR. Polaris has set up a ride on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land outside Las Vegas, Nevada.
Polaris is very proud of the new flagship of the RZR lineup. Headquartered in Medina, Minnesota, the powersports company produces a wide array of vehicles, including Indian motorcycles, Slingshot three-wheeled street vehicles, Ranger and General side-by-sides, Sportsman ATVs, snowmobiles, Timbersleds, GEM electric cars and more. RZR is Polaris’ lineup of sport side-by-sides, with 20 models and special editions ranging from the $10,299 RZR 570 to the top-of-the-line model I’ll be testing, the $27,499 RZR XP Turbo S. RZR models vary in terms of width, length, seating (two and four-passenger) capacity, suspensions, engine size and other features.
XP Turbo S is a two-seater side-by-side. At 72 inches, it is the widest RZR in the fleet. By comparison, a Chevrolet Equinox crossover SUV is 72.60 inches wide (excluding mirrors). The XP Turbo S has a wheelbase of 90 inches, an overall length of 122 inches and a height of 75 inches. It has 16 inches of ground clearance – twice that of the Equinox – and usable suspension travel of 25 inches, front and rear. Its 168-hp turbocharged four-stroke two-cylinder engine displaces 925 cc. A passive variable transmission (PVT) sends power to the rear wheels (in rear-wheel drive mode) or all four wheels (in all-wheel drive mode). 15-inch aluminum wheels are wrapped with 32-inch tires, the biggest Polaris has ever fixed to a factory RZR.
With a wallop of power and grand scale, the XP Turbo S has received beefed-up chassis, roll cage and body parts. Polaris worked over every inch of the vehicle to assure durability and toughness, and the results are visible upon inspection, as well as audible on the trail. The XP Turbo S exhibits no flexing, clanking or rattling on the roughest of trails. It’s solid as a rock.
Which is a good thing. I strap in to the standard four-point harness in the passenger seat as Manuel prepares to take the wheel. The harness is a little fiddly, though quite robust and reassuring. I am dressed in an Aerostich Darien motorcycling jacket with EPS armor and protective off-road gloves. I’m wearing Levi’s 501 jeans and Red Wing 8-inch leather boots. I have inserted ear plugs beneath my 509 Altitude Off-Road Helmet, and I’m wearing Stage Goggles. I’m properly geared up for the day of off-roading, as recommended by Polaris. The temperature is about 65 Fahrenheit as we start our ride.
We’re traveling in two packs of about 10 RZR vehicles each. The terrain is desert dusty, and we’ll be following established desert trails. The side-by-sides stir up clouds of dust, so we have to maintain spacing in order to have safe visibility. It’s our turn to go, and Manuel sets off on a brisk pace. I’m glad to have a pair of hand grips in front of me, mounted on the passenger dash. The seats are comfortable, firm foam buckets, with an upright seating position. The cabin is open – no windshield or windows, shoulder-height doors with reinforcing beams and an aluminum roof canopy overhead connected to the steel roll cage. The center stack has a 7-inch touchscreen that displays Polaris’ Ride Command system. We can scroll through the screens wearing our gloves, gaining access to a standard rear camera, audio controls, vehicle information and more. GPS navigation is available as an option. The rear camera is a necessity for group riding, so that we can make sure that the vehicle following us has arrived at intersections before we make a turn to follow the group. Strapped into a four-point harness with a helmet, it’s difficult to see behind you – no rear-view mirrors are included with the XP Turbo S.
Manuel ramps up the speed, and the ride gets exciting. At first, I brace for impact when I see rough road ahead, but the amazing suspension on the XP Turbo S soaks up the bumps, and Manuel’s expert driving puts me at ease. Fox Suspension designed and built the specialty shocks for this Polaris model, and in combination with the big tires and stiff chassis, they provide an amazingly controlled, stable ride. (Fox is also responsible for the shocks on the current Ford F-150 Raptor pickup truck, an off-road monster in its own right.) Polaris’ DYNAMIX active suspension system continually adjusts the suspension’s settings in response to conditions, further smoothing the ride.
I cast a few glances at the speedometer while Manuel drives. We cruise at 40 mph, sometimes speeding up to near 60 mph when conditions allow. The XP Turbo S has the ability to accelerate very rapidly, throwing me back into my seat as the vehicle thrusts ahead. The view ahead takes on an otherworldly feel – almost like I’m inside a video game. I have put my trust in Manuel’s abilities and judgment – and I’m having a blast. I’m usually a terrible passenger – nervous, controlling, pointing out obstacles – but I’m able to just relax and enjoy the sensation of speed, zooming along in the beautiful desert landscape.
We arrive at a driver change point, and now it’s my turn to take the wheel. After rehydrating with a couple of bottles of cold water, I adjust the seat to its full travel to accommodate my six-foot two-inch frame. The control layout is automotive, with a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, foot throttle and brake pedals and a center console-mounted gear selector. If you can drive a car, you can operate a RZR. Manuel bravely straps in to the passenger seat, and we’re ready to roll.
I start out slowly, getting the feel of the RZR. My impressions from the passenger seat are reinforced – the side-by-side soaks up the bumps and begs to romp. I go deeper into the throttle, and soon we’re zooming along the trail. We encounter some technical sections of trail, rock-strewn dry creek beds with ruts and obstacles. I’m very impressed with the XP Turbo S’s ground clearance and find that I can move much more quickly than I have ever covered similar terrain in an SUV. Eventually, the trail smooths out and we find ourselves on a fire road that mirrors the path of some power lines. I pick up the pace, and soon we’re moving at over 50 mph. I see a small hill and decide to gun the accelerator. We hit it just right, and the XP Turbo S takes air for a second or so. We’re flying, Manuel whoops in glee, and the suspension extends to full height before rejoining the ground to absorb our descent. I find myself laughing like a hyena inside my helmet. I ease off the throttle to slow our pace a little. No sense getting overconfident and creating a bad situation. I get plenty of enjoyment from moderate speed.
We reach our lunch spot, the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings. Legend has it that Clark Gable spent the hours awaiting news of Carole Lombard’s fate at the bar here, and it’s been used as a location for many Hollywood productions over the years. Drop in for the ambiance and the Sarsaparilla – not the food. Manuel and I chat with our fellow journalists and discover that one vehicle in our group had a mishap that sent a journalist to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Rumor has it that he had his RZR in the rear-wheel-drive setting (we were instructed to use all-wheel drive), and that his enthusiasm for speed outflanked his abilities. His helmet wasn’t properly strapped on and came off when the vehicle rolled over. I hope his recovery is swift. I remember how much willpower I had to exert to slow myself down on the fire road and say a silent prayer of thanks to the off-road gods. And thanks to Manuel for his expert example, guidance and patience.
All powersports have a measure of risk, and sport side-by-sides are no different. Even though they’re pure fun, an accident is a handy reminder that safety must be a primary concern on every ride. Gear up properly, ride within your limits and respect the vehicle and conditions. End of lecture.
As a flagship vehicle, the XP Turbo S is a lot of vehicle. It’s complex, expensive and ridiculously fast and capable. It is not a toy for young or immature drivers and might not be ideal as a first side-by-side. Polaris’ lineup has several vehicles that would be better starter side-by-sides, as do its competitors.
If you’re ready for the top-of-the-line, Polaris XP Turbo S is the clear leader right now. It’s the only 72-inch-wide factory side-by-side, and Polaris supports it with a wide range of accessories and customization options. Take a look at offerings from Can-Am, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda and other competitors before you take my word for it.
Whichever side-by-side you choose to ride, get ready for some serious, addictive fun.
