Did Polaris Fix Everything We Hate About the Ranger?

We spent a morning getting cozy with the heavily revised 2025 Polaris Ranger XP 1000 NorthStar Ultimate to find out if the new machine is more than a pretty face. Turns out, it is. Sure, there’s an updated front end, but this is more than “bold new graphics.” Engineers aimed themselves at solving some of our biggest complaints with the workhorse, starting with something we’ve whinged about for years: the shifter. Polaris completely revised the CVT, throwing better machining and an all-new gearset at the “gen 2″ transmission. There is no more yanking on the shifter. No more hunting for the right gear. You can shift this thing with two fingers. Amazing.

Related: Polaris Doubled the 2025 Ranger 1000 Service Intervals

There are plenty of other tweaks that help the machine keep its edge over competition like the Can-Am Defender. A much-improved electric power steering system, a boatload of new standard equipment, and a revised maintenance schedule are all part of the mix.

Check out the video for a closer look.

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