Polaris is very proud of how far along the Ranger RZR line-up has come, and rightfully so! With the success of the original RZR 800, Polaris has not stayed idle. In the last four years alone, the RZR platform has grown from one single model to six distinctive models! There is not a “one model fits all” motto with Polaris. They understand that different riders have different needs, and the new line up 2012 delivers just that. From the trail ready Polaris RZR 570 to the all new extreme performance four seat RZR4 900XP, there is now something for almost every off-road enthusiast. In stock form, the RZR4 900 XP is ready to haul four adults with ease and blast through just about any terrain you can throw at it!

Dan (Dascrow) and I, were recently invited out to Parker, AZ for the 2012 RZR XP 4 900 press release. While we are normally buried behind the computer, performing our daily forum management duties, and answering an endless slew of tech support emails, this time, we were able to break away from the desk. We planned to enjoy a couple days in the desert of Arizona, hanging out with the folks from Polaris and their hot new four-seater. We didn’t quite know what to expect, but we did know that the itinerary included the Parker 250 Best in the Desert race, and a full day of demoing the all new XP 4 – that alone was enough to tear us away from our desks!

The first thing we can say is that Polaris is first rate with their planning and events! Everything was organized very well, and passion for their products really showed in everyone we met. Polaris engineers were on-hand, and were very patient and helpful with all the product and design questions we had. There was definitely a sense of pride and excitement about the new model! This was very contagious, and was a great window into the incredible culture that Polaris has created.

The Parker 250 was not only our first desert race, but it was also the first race for the brand new RZR XP 4 900 as well! We were especially lucky to get this one-of-a-kind “two-fer” because there was an overwhelming presence of Side X Sides entered, and one of those included the race prepped RZR XP 4 900. Twenty-two UTVs were in the running, with more then half of the field consisting of Polaris RZRs. The Polaris supported Jagged X RZR XP 4 900 was outfitted with just the basic modifications needed to meet race specifications – everything else from the motor to the suspension on RZR XP 4 900 was in true stock form.

Mechanically, everything performed beyond expectations and the relatively stock RZR XP 4 finished 10th overall and 3rd place in the Sportsman’s class! Unfortunately a flat tire held them up over thirty minutes during the race. This delay caused them at least one podium position and possibly even a chance at the overall win in the Sportsman. Truly an amazing feat considering that the Jagged X RZR XP 4 was essentially the same vehicle that someone can buy right from their local dealer!

After an exciting day at the races we retired for the night with lingering thoughts of whooped out desert racing roads, thunderous RZR 900cc engine noises and anticipation to drive the RZR XP 4 for ourselves.

Daybreak came early that Monday morning, and we eagerly rushed out to the Polaris compound where fifteen-plus XP 4’s were patiently waiting our arrival - it was a dream come true! The day was divided up into two parts. During the first half, we would all take a guided ride along part of the Parker 250 race track, mine roads, desert trails, graded dirt roads and then back to camp. The second half of the day was ours to just ride, film and photograph anywhere our desire and fuel could take us.

As any rational driver would, we started out pretty mellow to get a good feel for the XP 4’s capabilities. This didn’t last long, however. The suspension inspired so much confidence right off the bat that before we knew it, we found ourselves bombing through the tight, rough and rocky desert trails in a blink! Looking back on it, I realized that the tight sections were a breeze, not just because of the 3-Link Trailing Arm suspension, but because of the aid from the non-intrusive Electronic Power Steering system that was equipped on our Limited Edition XP 4. The EPS made for an almost effortless driving experience even in tight trail conditions. A few times we came barreling around a turn to surprisingly find a large rock or obstacle turned up in the middle of the trail. I specifically remember a few occasions the rocks were large enough that I winced and physically tried lifting myself up in the seat, as if that would help the XP 4 just enough to clear the obstacle. To our amazement, even the largest looking rocks were just short enough to clear the RZR’s 12.5 inches of ground clearance.

Once we broke out into the open, whooped-out sandy trails, it was on! Normally, in a shorter wheel based vehicle you can’t quite keep on top of the randomly scattered whoops, and the rear end tends to drift around and start bucking. That was not the case for the XP 4. The lengthy 107.4 inch wheelbase stretched out enough to allow the race inspired 3-Link Trailing Arm suspension to work it’s magic. This combination with the addition of the Premium Walker Evans shocks equals a whoop eating, rock trashing, desert terrain shredding machine that can’t get enough! One large improvement worth noting on the rear shocks is the size of the shock bodies and reservoirs. The overall shock is up from a 2.0’’ to a 2.5’’ and it shows. Not just visibly, but also through the feel of the XP 4 as it just hammers through any terrain that you throw at it.

What about power you may ask? Well, from personally owning and driving many thousands of miles in an 800cc RZR S, I can tell you that the 88 HP ProStar 900cc is a winner! Even though it weighs in at more than 200 lbs over it’s shorter counter-part, the RZR XP two-seater, the XP 4 still feels amazingly nimble and quick.

Its Performance was truly impressive, but in the future we would like to see a little more refinement in the cockpit. An updated gauge cluster that is more centrally located or more ergonomic for the driver would be a nice improvement. I found myself trying to view anything at all on the standard instrumentation while driving at speed, and I might as well have been blind.

Regardless of the minor quibble, the mind boggling aspect that amazed me the most, was that the RZR XP 4 900 had all this ridiculous performance and yet it has two more seats to spare! I never once felt like I was lugging around a bunch of extra weight, or room enough for two more adults. Overall, we were both super impressed with the performance, roominess and overall capability of the 2012 RZR XP 4 900.

Dan would probably say that “It needs a passenger brake pedal!” because, with all this combined performance, the passenger is definitely in for a wild ride. In summation, the RZR XP 4 900 is like owning your own personal roller coaster for four! It’s a thrill-ride we both highly recommend!

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My 2011 PPIHC build.