New UTVs

2021 Polaris RZR Trail S 1000 Ultimate First Look

Exploring the more affordable side of the Polaris RZR family.

April 9, 2021

The Ghost Gray paint on our tester looks striking in the wilderness.Kevan Ray

This is a big year for Polaris. The brand rolled out major improvements and model changes to nearly every model in its UTV portfolio. We’ve already reviewed the new and improved Ranger Trail Boss, put the RZR Pro XP 4 Premium through its paces at Windrock, and now we have our hands on the new 2021 Polaris RZR Trail S. For 2021, the Polaris RZR Trail lineup gets all-new styling, upgraded technology features, and improved ergonomic and comfort features. We took delivery of a new 2021 Polaris RZR Trail S 1000 Ultimate to see if the new rig is worth owning.

The new headlights and updated bodywork give the RZR Trail a menacing presence.Kevan Ray

When it comes to equipment, the RZR Trail S 1000 Ultimate ticks most of the boxes. It is the highest trim level offered on the Trail lineup so it comes loaded with the most goodies. Full doors, aluminum wheels, new LED headlights, and a poly roof are the highlights for the exterior equipment. Inside the cabin we get color-matched seats, Rockford Fosgate audio, and Polaris’ trick Ride Command system. Being a Trail S 1000, we also get a wider 60-inch track and a 100 hp engine. There’s also electric power steering with a quicker ratio and Walker Evans Needle shocks. All together, Polaris claims the Trail S 1000 leads the class in power-to-weight ratio and turning radius, which should make this rig a riot on the trails.

The updated cockpit is packed with niceties like a radio and Ride Command, but the seating position could use some work.Kevan Ray

The Trail S 1000 Ultimate seems like a competent rig. We love the Ride Command system, and the Rider Link system that lets you easily keep track of your buddies is a brilliant piece of tech that is easy to use. It’s also worth mentioning that this is a ton of performance and equipment in a rig that is a “budget” option from Polaris. The Trail lineup is the most affordable RZR model, and the Trail S starts at just $15,299. Even an optioned-up 1000 Ultimate model like ours starts at just $18,999.

The Trail S 1000 Ultimate offers a lot of performance for the price, but we aren’t sure if we love it yet.Kevan Ray

There is a lot to love about the 2021 Polaris RZR Trail S 1000 Ultimate, and we look forward to learning the machine’s ins and outs in the coming months. Keep it locked on UTV Driver to see if our opinions change after we spend more time doing in-depth testing on this rig. And if you have any questions for us about this or any other UTV, hit us up on Facebook or Instagram.