The company that created the side-by-side market is about to turn it on its head again. Polaris has just launched the Xpedition. A series of models aimed at buyers who need UTV capability and flexibility in a rig that can take them off-roading and overlanding for days at a time.
“Our goal was to bridge the worlds of traditional side-by-sides and overlanding with a vehicle that allows the most passionate adventurers to go farther and deeper than ever and discover totally new destinations and experiences,” said Reid Wilson, Polaris vice president of off-road recreation.
The Polaris Xpedition ADV gives riders a fully covered body. The cabin can be fully enclosed, and that includes the cargo area. Two-seat models get 36 inches of covered cargo space, while the five-seat offers up to 63 inches of flat and covered storage for all of the gear you need to bring with you for a long weekend away.
Polaris XPEDITION XP: Utility Dump Bed
Xpedition XP drops the covered rear cargo space and instead fits a dumping cargo tray.
The five-seat model gets a split/folding rear seat like you’d find in an SUV, which lets you convert seating to storage in moments. The cargo box is 48 inches wide and has tall 16-inch walls to keep plenty of stuff in place on the trail or when you’re working your property.
The First UTV Designed for a Rooftop Tent?
Both Xpedition models get a flat roof that helps enable more than 100 accessories. That starts with a Rhino-Rack roof rack and overlanding accessories like a rooftop tent. The rack can also hold kayaks, traction boards, and more.
Polaris will make these accessories available separately, but it will also offer bundles. For example, the Overland Collection comes with a cooler, mirrors, lights, rock sliders, bumpers, a hood rack, and more.
Or the Trail Collection, which has A-arm guards, light bar mounts, beadlock wheels, and similar accessories.
Big Power, Longer Range
Xpedition models can hold 12.5 gallons of fuel. More than any factory UTV, the big tank capacity gives the Xpedition an estimated 200 miles of range so you can travel farther between gas stops.
A 999cc ProStar 1000 Gen 2 liquid-cooled twin delivers 114 horsepower. It’s the same responsive and powerful engine Polaris uses in the latest RZR XP, and it comes with a high and low-range CVT and selectable two- and four-wheel drive.
Fox Podium QS3 shocks with position-sensitive spiral technology are standard equipment. They have three adjustment settings so riders can pick the right damping for the terrain.
The standard hitch allows for towing up to 2,000 pounds, or it can be used for accessories like a bike rack. Payload ranges from 1,030 to 1,160 pounds, depending on the spec.
Polaris XPEDITION Pricing
The base spec is the 2024 Polaris Xpedition Premium. It includes a 4.3-inch color display and JBL Trail Pro 2000 audio. Premium gets a Polaris 4,500-pound winch, front bull bumper, sport roof, and half doors from $28,999 for the XP with an ADV costing an extra $1,000.
Meanwhile, the Ultimate adds a 7.0-inch screen with the excellent Polaris Ride Command system including navigation, JBL Trail Pro 4100 surround sound, front and rear cameras, a padded console, and tilt and telescopic steering. This one runs $31,999 with the ADV running a thousand dollars more.
Finally, the NorthStar ($38,999 XP, $39,999 ADV) receives the fully enclosed cab with heat and AC. It’s the one that really blurs the line between your daily driver SUV and your off-road toy. It also has locking doors with power windows and a glass front windshield. Polaris is offering all six trims with two or five seats.
The Polaris Xpedition appears to blur the line between UTV and SUV, offering much more SUV-like comfort and carrying with the increased flexibility and maneuverability of a UTV.
The side-by-side market might only be a decade old, but it is growing upward in a big hurry. Ultimate and NorthStar trims hit retailers this summer with the Premium arriving next year.
