POLARIS RANGER XP KINETIC: E-TESTED

POLARIS RANGER XP KINETIC

This EV goes the distance for a variety of uses – Words and photos by Jeff Henson

Like most of our readers, I chuckled when a certain West Coast governor and New York senator mandated they would ban sales of new gas-powered vehicles, including ATVs and UTVs, by 2035. The fastest way to rile up Americans is to tell them they can no longer do something they’ve been doing for years. What we want are choices; a Tesla Model 3 might be best for an inner-city commuter, but it’s not going to tow a rancher’s horse trailer across the country. Similarly, if you’re considering boycotting electric vehicles simply because you don’t like them, welcome to cancel culture. 

Clear your head and forget all about that divisive nonsense for a minute. In the world of powersports, electric power is a viable alternative for some users, having little to do with Captain Planet and everything to do with convenience, stump-pulling torque, and quiet operation. For hunting, utility work, ranching, farming and even trail recreation, an electric UTV, such as the Ranger Kinetic, might make sense, but does it go the distance? Read on.

IS IT POWERFUL?

The Kinetic’s Interior Permanent Magnet AC motor is a powerhouse with three selectable power modes—Eco, Standard and Sport—all conveniently toggled on the dash. Eco mode is for those who prioritize battery-power savings, but it still delivers the performance you’d expect from a gas-powered Ranger. Standard mode is the sweet spot, providing optimal power in any situation. And then there’s Sport mode. Mash the skinny pedal on a hard-packed surface and the front end gets some serious bow lift. Acceleration is borderline unnerving, but in the best way possible.

While the Kinetic is governed to 55 mph, it gets to top speed quickly. It matches the Polaris Ranger XD 1500 at 110 horsepower, but easily bests it with an additional 35 pound-feet of torque. During our trail testing, which included plenty of elevation change, the Kinetic couldn’t be bothered by steep inclines; it just dug in and went. 

HOW FAR WILL IT GO? 

Polaris offers two editions of the Kinetic. The Premium Edition ($29,999) has a 14.9kWh lithium-ion battery with an estimated 45-mile range, and our test machine, the Ultimate Edition ($37,499), gets a more significant 29.8kWh lithium-ion battery system with a claimed maximum 80-mile range (60–70 miles for hunting and recreation). The Ultimate also weighs 228 pounds more due to the larger battery capacity. In the small print, Polaris states they got these range numbers “traveling at 25 mph with 250 pounds of cargo.” For utility and hunting functions, that’s very respectable. But for our trail test, we mixed rough terrain with high-speed sections, saw constant elevation change, and frequently toggled between the three power modes. We also completed utility work dragging a horse arena with a 200-pound rake. There was always a driver and passenger in the cab, and the cargo was usually on the light side. We averaged 68 miles out of a single charge with 10-percent power left in reserve. The Kinetic also provided a few warnings as available power dropped into the lower ranges. For a weekend camping trip, that’s about two days of recreational riding on a single charge. Beyond that, you might want to pack a generator.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CHARGE?

The Premium and Ultimate editions come with an EVSE-plug charging system for home charging using a 120- or 240-volt outlet. A 3kW on-board charger is included with the Premium edition and 6 kW for the Ultimate (four times faster charging at 240 volts). J1772 Level 1 (120 volts) or Level 2 (240 volts) public charging stations can also be used. The Premium model will charge from 0–100 percent in 10 hours at 120 volts or five hours at 240 volts. The dual-battery system on the Ultimate takes 20 hours of charge time at 120 volts and just five hours at 240 volts. However, Polaris recommends charging the batteries whenever the vehicle is parked. No matter how much battery has been used, frequent charging will not affect battery life, and the charger automatically shuts down at full charge. Plug it in at the end of the day and it’ll be ready to go by morning.

On page six of the Kinetic owner’s manual, Polaris estimates that the battery will last 10 years or 10,000 miles before any noticeable degradation in range occurs. Purchase includes a three-year electric powertrain and a five-year battery warranty.

CAN IT DEAL WITH RUGGED TERRAIN?

The Kinetic has 10 inches of suspension travel, 14 inches of ground clearance and 29-inch Pro Armor X-Terrain tires, just like the Ranger XP 1000. It also gets Polaris’ selectable On-Demand AWD/2WD/VersaTrac Turf mode system. The most significant difference in performance comes down to the Kinetic’s seemingly unlimited amount of torque and quiet operation. You will run out of traction before you run out of power.

In AWD, power delivery is instant yet manageable when navigating steep climbs, hopping logs and climbing over boulders. Off-idle, you can slowly roll on the throttle without any abrupt lurch forward. The absent engine noise takes some getting used to when estimating how much torque is needed for more challenging obstacles, but the Kinetic lacks nothing for power compared to gas models. On the other hand, signature Polaris knocks and rattles are more pronounced in the silence.

HOW DOES IT HANDLE?

Excellent. EPS works well for utility functions, blazing down fire roads and picking lines through uneven, rocky terrain. The turning radius is also remarkable, whether navigating twisty trails or navigating tight rows with an arena rake.

The Pro Armor tires offer plenty of grip in all situations and are 8-ply-rated for superior puncture resistance. Braking is handled with hydraulic discs and calipers at all four wheels, and the Kinetic simulates engine braking (EBS) with regenerative braking, which also recaptures surplus kinetic energy for the battery. This occurs any time the accelerator pedal disengages and the brake pedal is pressed while moving. It’s more effective in Eco mode and when traveling downhill. The left-hand gauge on the dash also shows how much power is being used or recaptured.

IS IT COMFORTABLE?

The Kinetic is only available with bench-style seating for three; there’s no crew option. The driver and main passenger seats are bolstered in plush comfort, and the driver’s seat and steering wheel are adjustable. Full-door nets do a decent job keeping hands and elbows in the cab, but the plastic side-release buckles feel cheap and can be difficult to latch. But, our biggest complaint is the lack of shade. How is a plastic roof considered an optional accessory for a vehicle that will likely cost $40k out the door? Polaris will sell you one for an additional $450.

Personal storage inside the cab is plentiful, with two sealed passenger-side compartments, numerous cubbies, four drink holders and a deep shelf below the dash to store the home charging system when not in use.

WHAT ABOUT ELECTRONIC FEATURES?

Stepping up to the Ultimate trim also gets you factory-installed Ride Command+ with a 7-inch full-color display. Ride Command+ provides satellite imagery and public and private land ownership information when paired with your phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot. It’s a fantastic tool for hunters who must know boundaries, especially when hunting near private property. Additional features include phone pairing for music streaming through factory-installed speakers and a front- and rear-facing camera, which is very handy when using agricultural implements or towing a trailer.

Additional instrumentation includes all necessary motor and battery information, including the range and temperature. It also provides a speedometer, odometer, trip meter, clock, gear indicator, service indicator, programmable service intervals, and user-selectable backlighting and brightness controls. 

Lighting is LED all around, including an accent strip that wraps across the nose of the Kinetic. The Kinetic comes standard with Polaris’ Pulse under-hood bus bar for easy plug-and-play of up to six electronic accessories. The Kinetic also includes a number of 12-volt and USB power ports, including a 12-volt port in the bed for charging tools and powering lights.

WHO WOULD BENEFIT BY OWNING A KINETIC?

Without a doubt, hunters. The battery has plenty of range to go the distance and does so quietly with the slightest whine from the drive system. You can add a winch for game retrieval, tow a hard-sided blind into the woods, take all your gear, and retrieve game with more cargo weight capacity than the gas-powered Ranger XP. For $400 extra, the Kinetic can also be had in Polaris Pursuit Camo. 

While it’s likely not the best choice of a dedicated trail recreation vehicle for some, given its limited range, it is an excellent choice for property owners. It requires far less maintenance and is always ready to go without making a trip to the gas station. And, once the work is done, chances are good that there’s still juice in the batteries for a quick Sport-mode rip through the woods.