July 31, 2023 was a pivotal day in American history.
It will forever go down as the date that Polaris dropped a bombshell on outdoor and off-roading enthusiasts all across the globe, with the revealing of their new Polaris Ranger 1500 UTVs for 2024.
Not only are these new models ground-breaking in terms of new features, but they’re also the fastest Polaris Rangers and some of the fastest utility UTVs the industry has ever seen.
So just how fast can the new Polaris Ranger 1500 go?
And what are the most notable new features that Polaris claims the UTV industry has never seen before?
This guide will detail:
- How fast the Ranger 1500 models will be able to go
- The ground-breaking new features they’re equipped with
- How to bypass the speed limiter in these models to make them even faster
Polaris Ranger 1500 Top Speed
The Polaris Ranger 1500 models will each be powered by a 1500cc 3-Cylinder ProStar engine with an industry-leading max power output of 110 horsepower.
While most of this engine power is concentrated in the lower RPM levels, all that power helps the Ranger 1500 reach a top speed of close to 75 mph putting them near the top of the list of fastest UTVs in the industry.
You might be surprised to find that’s only slightly faster than the Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic, which ranks as one of the best electric UTVs for this year.
And while the 1500 will only have a bit more top-end speed than the fastest current gas-powered Ranger in the Ranger XP 1000, all of that added torque and power should mean the Ranger 1500 models can accelerate a good bit quicker.
Polaris Ranger 1500 Top Speed Compared To Other Models
The Ranger 1500’s will be the fastest Polaris Ranger models we’ve ever seen, but not by all that much in terms of top-end speed.
The table below shows how they compare to the rest of the Ranger lineup:
| Model | Top Speed (Stock) |
| Ranger 1500 | 70-75 mph |
| Ranger XP 1000 | 65 mph |
| Ranger 1000 (base) | 58 mph |
| Ranger XP 900 | 62 mph |
| Ranger 800 | 60 mph |
| Ranger 570 | 52 mph |
| Ranger 500 | 44 mph |
Four Different Drive Modes With Varying Speeds
The Ranger 1500 models will feature four different drive modes that will each offer varying levels of speed and acceleration.
There are Standard, Sport, Comfort, and Tow/Haul modes.
One of the most unique features of these vehicles is that rather than offering a Low and High gear like in all other Rangers, the drive mode you select will have the transmission automatically dictate the RPM levels for you so you don’t need to select a gear on your own.
Standard Mode is going to offer the full range of speed, but with the usual acceleration you’d find in a utility vehicle.
Sport Mode will up the ante for recreational driving, offering the highest RPM levels and the best acceleration so you can reach the top speed quicker.
Comfort Mode will have the drive belt engaging at lower RPMs and will ultimately keep the RPMs lower throughout, resulting in more mellow throttle response and an overall smoother ride.
Tow/Haul Mode is essentially like driving in Low gear, with the belt gripping at lower RPMs and the vehicle offering the most low-end torque and power in this mode.
About The Ranger 1500 Models
Six Different Models & Their Costs
- 2024 Ranger XD 1500 Premium (3-Seat)
- 2024 Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Premium (3-Seat)
- 2024 Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Ultimate (3-Seat)
- 2024 Ranger XD 1500 Premium Crew (6-Seat)
- 2024 Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Premium Crew (6-Seat)
- 2024 Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Ultimate Crew (6-Seat)
| Model | 2024 Starting MSRP |
| Ranger XD 1500 Premium | $29,999 |
| Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Premium | $39,999 |
| Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Ultimate | $44,999 |
| Ranger XD 1500 Premium Crew | $32,499 |
| Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Premium Crew | $44,499 |
| Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Ultimate Crew | $49,499 |
Key Specs & Features
Engine
- New triple-cylinder, 1498cc ProStar engine makes these the most powerful true utility vehicles we’ve seen.
- Max power output of 110 horsepower and 105 ft-lb of torque.
- This impressive engine power and torque gives them best towing and hauling capacities in the industry (see more below).
| Engine Type | Four-Stroke, DOHC |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Triple Cylinder |
| Displacement | 1498 cc |
| Max Horsepower | 110 HP |
| Max Torque | 105 lb.-ft. |
| Engine Cooling | Liquid-Cooled |
| Fuel Capacity | 13.6 Gallons |
Drivetrain
- STEELDRIVE transmission offers a 100% steel-constructed belt that is liquid-cooled and fully sealed.
- The steel belt offers smoother delivery and shifting, and should prevent this model from being affected by the dreaded Polaris Ranger clutch problem.
- Four different drive modes determine what gear you ride in and automatically make shifts for you, so you never select between Low or High.
- Machine learning feature recognizes how you drive over time and tailors the transmission to your specifics.
- Hill Assist prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards when heading uphill and letting off the accelerator or brakes, or engages the transmission for better control when heading downhill.
| Drive System | On-Demand True AWD/2WD/Turf/Ultra Turf |
| Transmission Type | STEELDRIVE Automatic Transmission |
| Gear Shift Pattern | D-R-P |
Suspension
- Made with a high-strength steel heavy duty one-piece chassis/frame that makes it feel almost as strong as that of a pickup truck.
- Frame helps make for an ultra smooth ride by providing 160% more torsional stiffness.
- 15 inches of ground clearance and 12 inches of travel in the front and rear are some of the best in the industry.
- So much ground clearance it looks lifted, but is not.
- Arched A-Arms in the front and rear make the suspension system very wide, helping add to the ground clearance and ability to clear obstacles.
| Frame Type | Steel |
| Wheelbase | 95 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 15 inches |
| Front Suspension | Dual Arched A-Arm |
| Rear Suspension | Dual Arched A-Arm |
| Front Travel | 12 inches |
| Rear Travel | 12 inches |
Tires & Brakes
- The Northstar models feature 30 x 10-15 stock tires in the front and 30 x 11-15 tires in the rear – these are 8-ply rated Kenda Cross Trail tires, which are quite aggressive.
- The XD 1500 Premium model features 29 x 9-14 stock tires up front and 29 x 11-14 tires in the rear, which are all 8-ply rated Pro Armor X-Terrain.
- Each model is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes on all four wheels with dual-bore front and rear calipers.
- The brakes are foot activated and power assisted, offering plenty of stopping power for these beastly machines.
| Northstars | XD 1500 Premium | |
| Front Tires | 30 x 10-15 | 29 x 9-14 |
| Rear Tires | 30 x 11-15 | 29 x 11-14 |
| Wheels | 15” Aluminum | 14” Aluminum |
| Front Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc |
| Rear Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc | Hydraulic Disc |
Dimensions & Capacities
- The Ranger 1500’s feature three 3-seaters and three 6-seaters.
- Towing capacity of 3,500 lbs which is 1,000 lbs more than anything else ever seen in the industry.
- 1,500 cargo capacity is tops in the industry as well.
- Among heaviest UTVs in the industry, built almost like an actual pickup truck.
| 3-Seat | 6-Seat | |
| Length | 137 in | 164 in |
| Width | 64 in | 64 in |
| Height | 78 in | 78 in |
| Dry Weight | 2,400 – 2,800 lbs | 2,900 – 3,300 lbs |
| Cargo Capacity | 1,500 lbs | 1,500 lbs |
| Towing Capacity | 3,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs |
Other Notable Features
All Models:
- Most spacious cab available in any utility side-by-side.
- Adjustable seating and telescopic steering wheel so drivers can choose the perfect fit for their height and riding style.
- Contoured premium seats for added comfort and stability while riding.
- Polaris Ride Command is available with a 7” waterproof touchscreen.
Northstars:
- Full cab with heat and air conditioning.
- Full one-piece doors with power windows.
- Crew cabs also offer power windows in the rear – something never seen before.
- Electronically controlled power dump bed – no more manual dumping!
- Lock N Ride Max rails surround the top of the dump bed offering many ways to mount tools and accessories in the bed.
- Heated seats for comfort on the coldest days.
The Polaris Ranger 1500 crew cab models will no doubt take the top spot on the list of best 4 seater side-by-sides once released next year.
Increasing the Ranger 1500 Top Speed
Like the other Ranger models, you’ll be able to make some modifications to increase the Polaris Ranger 1500’s top end speed.
Seeing a meaningful increase in top speed will require bypassing the speed limiter, but you can then make upgrades to the intake and exhaust systems as well.
Bypassing The Speed Limiter
The Ranger 1500 models have an electronic speed limiter programmed into their ECU that will restrict the top speed and RPM levels initially.
The only way to bypass or delete this electronic speed limiter will be to have the ECU tuned.
Tuning The ECU
By having the ECU tuned, you’ll delete the electronic speed limiter while also raising the rev limiter so you get these models’ full power and speed capability at the highest RPM levels.
A tune will also benefit your Ranger 1500 in a few other ways.
If you’ve made or plan to make modifications to the stock intake or exhaust systems, a tune is essential in that it recalculates the Ranger 1500’s air to fuel ratios and reprograms your ECU to reflect these.
This ensures your Ranger’s engine is able to operate with the optimal proportions of air and fuel which will increase the throttle response, overall horsepower, and reachable to speed of the Ranger 1500.
Upgrading the Intake & Exhaust
To achieve the highest possible speed and power in your Ranger 1500, you may also want to upgrade the intake and exhaust systems.
Doing so will increase the airflow into and out of the engine, resulting in more power, acceleration and speed.
Final Word
The Ranger 1500 models are unlike any UTV we’ve seen before, offering more power and torque than any true utility vehicle available today.
But this will have a minimal impact on the Polaris Ranger 1500 top speed, as the electronic speed limiter installed in all Ranger models will still limit this model overall.
That said, these are the fastest Ranger models we’ve ever seen.
For more on Polaris Rangers, check out the following before you go:
