Big Play. Big Work. Big Machine: 2024 Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 NorthStar UTV Review

This monster of a machine is almost more SUV than UTV. I’m not exaggerating here. The XPEDITION is huge. If you’re looking for a weekend play rig to romp around the trails with a pile of friends, this thing is certainly designed with all the capability and plenty of room.

Polaris is well known for putting some extreme motorized toys into the hands of adventurers. The XPEDITION, in just looks alone, certainly might take the cake for one of the most unique utility vehicles out there. When decked out with the rooftop tent package, this adventure wagon looks imposing, rugged, and, most of all … fun.

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this rig and how practical it might be, particularly for the price tag hanging from the rearview mirror. We never quite know what the weather will hand us in Montana, so adventures have to be catered to Mother Nature. Fortunately, she threw us a doozy of a spring to test this rig in. Did it meet expectations?

In short: Not only was the Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 NorthStar a fun UTV, but it was also thrown into some gnarly, unexpected, hard-work scenarios. It may not be my first choice for a working rig, but it hits a sweet spot between work and play that can’t be denied.

First Impressions and Feel

First things first: let’s address the elephant in the room. The XPEDITION is the elephant. This thing is ginormous. It has far more cargo room, cab space, and headroom than a traditional Jeep. It felt massive.

That said, it did not feel hefty in a negative connotation. The minimalist interior, with so much airspace, made it feel light and nimble on its feet. As far as weight goes, it’s 2,900+ pounds (curb weight), making it lighter than most Jeeps.

Aside from size, the XPEDITION just looked cool. It was imposing, and the combination of the Rust/Black color with the topo pattern made for a clean-looking machine. The headlights had that mean look that just gave the front end an aggressive appearance.

The rooftop tent is a pretty rad addition, which we didn’t get to test nearly as much as we’d hoped (you’ll read why a bit later). The option added so much versatility to where I might end up for the night.

Testing the Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 NorthStar UTV

The initial plan was to get my dogs out to run fields and do some scouting for spring bears. With the mild winter, the thought was we could utilize the XPEDITION as a weekend adventure mobile while having the capability to hunt, haul, and even run errands in the thing.

My dogs took to it well, eager to hop in the back, though my Gunner Kennels wouldn’t quite squeeze in. Fortunately for me and less fortunate for the detailer who eventually had to clean this thing out when I was done, my dogs were plenty comfortable riding in the cab.

When it came to hunts, we did a lot of chasing, scouting, and following dogs around. In the end, though, the XPEDITION ended up being less of a toy and more of a tool.

Unexpected, Serious Testing

Like many others, we found ourselves with sudden late-season snow followed by nonstop rain, which left far too much water. While we worked to divert water away from structures, the XPEDITION made an immediate shift to workhorse. For a stretch, it was the only vehicle we had capable of getting off the property, making it a sudden and irreplaceable asset.

Through flooded and rutted-out roads, it held tight, never faltered, and got us where we needed to be. The FOX Podium suspension, AWD, and 14 inches of ground clearance made for smooth sailing when the roads were anything but, and I have a feeling we utilized most of that fuel-injected 114hp at one point or another.

When ice and wind knocked down some massive cottonwood branches, creating a roadblock, the winch quickly cleared a path where my arms would have absolutely failed.

Rugged and Capable

When the cold hit snapped, and we saw mornings well into the -20s and below, the XPEDITION always started, though it did so with some muffled disdain and a few groans. No shame, though; so did I. Regardless, it never failed and always turned over.

The heated cab and windshield wipers were an absolute treat on mornings when property chores were a drag. From loading and moving dogs in the unbearable cold to hauling feed, it did more than we initially planned.

Though the late winter weather cut our play season short, the work season never ended. Fortunately, the Polaris XPEDITION kept up and was an asset when we needed it most.

What Could Improve

THE XPEDITION IS LOUD

And this time, I don’t mean it in a good way. Yes, UTVs are almost always loud, but because the cab is so cavernous, that sound seemed amplified. Even with the incredible JBL audio system, I couldn’t really hear the music or myself think. If you’re expecting a leisurely ride, this isn’t it. It’s an unpleasant auditory experience from start to finish unless you’re the kind that likes loud exhaust notes.

Constant Mirror Adjustments

This is another one of those quirks that many utility vehicles seem to have. When I slammed the doors shut, the mirrors just didn’t hold tight. No tightening seemed to keep them from ending up folding in on themselves. Each time I got in, I had to roll the window down and readjust the mirrors.

Back Door Opening Angle

This is an odd one that you’d never think of until it’s in use. The back doors don’t open all the way. They stopped at what felt like an oddly-not-quite-open-enough angle, which led to inevitable slamming into the door’s edge or smacking my dang head on the door rushing in. It’s an odd quirk that I’m sure you’d eventually get used to, but I just never did.

Who Should Consider Buying a Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 NorthStar?

With a price tag that starts at $44,999, the Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 NorthStar certainly isn’t on the low end, and options that can put that price well above a pretty nice new truck, this isn’t a light purchase. That being said, if you’re someone looking for a weekend adventure UTV that you can rip down the dirt roads in, camp on top of, and get work done when you get home, this might be a solid option for you.

It’s also a solid option for those who want to fit more people inside. It would make a great family adventure vehicle. I could also see it being great for ranching operations, particularly for those ranches that host guests.

Now, for those looking for a more-work-less-play machine, you might consider something like a Polaris Ranger. No one wants to be hauling the smelliest loads at the ranch inside the cab. An exterior bed might be a must for you.

Aside from that, the Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 NorthStare did everything you’d expect and did it pretty dang well. It’s comfortable, it’s capable, and oh, it was so fun.