Polaris has been in the business producing both on-road and off-road vehicles for quite some time now. Polaris vehicles are incredibly reliable provided that they serviced regularly and driven responsibly. A while ago, the company introduced the Polaris General and Ranger, strictly designed to serve as utility vehicles.
The power and the level of comfort of both UTVs make them some of the most highly sought vehicles of all time. In addition, the two are specially designed to allow the user to handle extended periods of toiling away on farms or building sites.
If you’re in the market for the best UTV for you or the whole family, the last thing you want is to buy something that does not fit your needs. In this article, we’ll compare Polaris Ranger vs General to help you determine which model is the best.
Overview Polaris General
Since its inception, the General has proven to be the ultimate dual-purpose UTV. The General has never deviated from its primary role of recreational and work-related activities, enabling it to become one of the biggest names in the industry. Furthermore, its multipurpose capability allows you to use your vehicle for hunting, working on the farm, fishing, or even running family errands.
The General is sturdily built, so you can look forward to several decades of use. Design-wise, the General is not for everyone, but once you settle for one, your trail rides will never be the same again. The Polaris General model line-up includes;
1. General 2-Seat
The General 2-Seat provides one of the most capable UTVs for your adventures while allowing you to get the job done. With up to 2-seat capacity, the General’s offers impressive load capacity that lets them handle whatever is thrown to them. Furthermore, the General 2-Seat UTVs are sleek and they work like a charm, especially if you’re looking for something to cruise through the deserts and forests alike. Popular General 2-Seat models include;
GENERAL 1000 Deluxe
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 2
- Horsepower- 100 HP
- Ground clearance- 12”
- Cylinders displacement- 999cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke DOHC Twin Cylinder
- Fuel capacity- 9.5 gal
GENERAL XP 1000
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 2
- Horsepower- 100 HP
- Ground clearance- 13.5”
- Cylinders displacement- 999cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke DOHC Twin Cylinder
- Fuel capacity- 9.5 gal
GENERAL XP 1000 Deluxe RIDE COMMAND Edition
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 2
- Horsepower- 100 HP
- Ground clearance- 13.5”
- Cylinders displacement- 999cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke DOHC Twin Cylinder
- Fuel capacity- 9.5 gal
2. General 4-Seat
From farm maintenance to hunting, the General 4-Seat vehicles are up to the task, and can accommodate unfavorable trail rides on any day. Furthermore, the General 4-Seat is just the perfect model for full family adventures, and it is the best companion during hunting and fishing. Besides, with the Polaris General 4-Seat, you can take on any trail you want with ease.
GENERAL 4 1000
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 4
- Horsepower- 100 HP
- Ground clearance- 12”
- Cylinders displacement- 999cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke DOHC Twin Cylinder
- Fuel capacity- 9.5 gal
GENERAL 4 1000 Deluxe
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 4
- Horsepower- 100 HP
- Ground clearance- 12”
- Cylinders displacement- 999cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke DOHC Twin Cylinder
- Fuel capacity- 9.5 gal
GENERAL XP 4 1000
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 4
- Horsepower- 100 HP
- Ground clearance- 13.5”
- Cylinders displacement- 999cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke DOHC Twin Cylinder
- Fuel capacity- 9.5 gal
Overview of Polaris Ranger
Polaris Ranger is an equally impressive utility car that can be described as a true workhorse. Besides, its recreational capabilities are surprisingly exceptional. The first thing that you’re bound to love even before you drive the Ranger is its classic styling. Polaris did an impressive job with the design to offer its users a bold and capable look.
The Ranger is trusted by homeowners from all walks of life as one of the not only hardest working UTVs but also smoothest to drive. The best thing about the Ranger UTVs is that they come with an outstanding towing capability to let you take on any terrain.
Depending on your individual needs, you can choose your most ideal Ranger model from their expansive collection. Some of the most famous Polaris Ranger models include;
1. Ranger 2-Seat
As the name suggests, the Ranger 2-Seat model accommodates two seats only. The good thing about the 2-Seat models is that they are quite spacious, so the occupants will have enough room to operate even if they are tall. Furthermore, the Ranger 2-Seat offers just the right combination features for work, comfort, and fun. Famous models under the Ranger 2-Seat includes;
RANGER 500
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 2
- Horsepower- 32 HP
- Ground clearance- 10”
- Cylinders displacement- 500cc
- Engine Type- 4-stroke single cylinder
- Fuel capacity- 9 gal
RANGER SP 570
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 2
- Horsepower- 44 HP
- Ground clearance- 11”
- Cylinders displacement- 567cc
- Engine Type- 4-stroke single cylinder DOHC
- Fuel capacity- 9.5 gal
RANGER EV
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 2
- Horsepower- 30 HP
- Ground clearance- 10”
- Engine Type- Single 48-Volt
2. Ranger 3-Seat
The Ranger 3- Seat offers unmatched comfort for up to three occupants while allowing you to handle the toughest jobs within the shortest time possible. Furthermore, UTVs under this model are designed with durability in mind without compromising their power capability. Some of the best Ranger 3-Seat UTVs include;
RANGER 570 FULL-SIZE
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 3
- Horsepower- 44 HP
- Ground clearance- 10.5”
- Cylinders displacement- 567cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke Single Cylinder DOHC
- Fuel capacity- 9 gal
RANGER 1000
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 3
- Horsepower- 61 HP
- Ground clearance- 12”
- Cylinders displacement- 999cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke Twin Cylinder SOHC
- Fuel capacity- 11.35 gal
RANGER XP 1000 NorthStar Edition
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 3
- Horsepower- 82 HP
- Ground clearance- 13”
- Cylinders displacement- 999cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke Twin Cylinder DOHC
- Fuel capacity- 11.5 gal
3. Ranger Crew
The Ranger Crew lineup offers a capacity of up to six occupants to make it easy to move workers to the construction site or when the entire family wants to go hunting. In addition, the Range Crews are designed to offer a perfect balance between performance and budget restrictions while allowing you to meet all your utility needs. Popular models include;
RANGER CREW SP 570
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 4
- Horsepower- 44 HP
- Ground clearance- 10.5”
- Cylinders displacement-567cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke Twin Cylinder DOHC
- Fuel capacity- 9.5 gal
RANGER CREW 1000
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 6
- Horsepower- 61 HP
- Ground clearance- 12”
- Cylinders displacement- 999cc
- Engine Type- 4- Stroke SOHC Twin Cylinder
- Fuel capacity- 11.35 gal
RANGER CREW XP 1000
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 6
- Horsepower- 82 HP
- Ground clearance- 13”
- Cylinders displacement- 999cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke Twin Cylinder DOHC
- Fuel capacity- 11.5 gal
4. Special Editions
The Ranger Special Editions lineup is made of both 3-Seat and Crew models to offer the users more versatility while allowing you to explore from a range of powerful UTVs. Some of the industry-leading Special Editions Rangers include;
RANGER XP 1000 Big Game Edition
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 3
- Horsepower- 82 HP
- Ground clearance- 14”
- Cylinders displacement- 999cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke Twin Cylinder DOHC
- Fuel capacity- 11.5 gal
RANGER XP 1000 High Lifter Edition
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 3
- Horsepower- 82 HP
- Ground clearance- 15”
- Cylinders displacement- 999cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke Twin Cylinder DOHC
- Fuel capacity- 11.5 gal
RANGER CREW XP 1000 Texas Edition
Important Specs
- Person capacity- 6
- Horsepower- 82 HP
- Ground clearance- 14”
- Cylinders displacement- 999cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke Twin Cylinder DOHC
- Fuel capacity- 11.5 gal
5. Ranger Youth
The RANGER 150 EFI is just about what every parent wants to guarantee them peace of mind when the kids are out taking a thrill ride. What you’ll like most about the 150 EFI is the ‘ride command’ app that allows the parents to take charge of important safety controls whenever the Ranger is in the possession of the kids. The Ranger also includes a helmet for added safety. Important specs include;
- Person capacity- 2 (10+ years)
- Ground clearance- 8”
- Cylinders displacement- 150cc
- Engine Type- 4-Stroke Single Cylinder
- Fuel capacity- 2.5 gal
Polaris General or Ranger- Which is Better?
If you’re one of those people who spend a lot of time off-roading or driving from one construction site to another, both Polaris General and Ranger are workhorses, and they guarantee you a smooth ride every time. Ideally, both models are suitable for any off-roading and tackling the roughest and steepest trails.
Now, when it comes to choosing between Polaris General vs Ranger, your ultimate choice is going to come down to your primary usage and personal preferences. Generally, the Ranger offers a remarkable towing capacity making it one of the best UTVs for work-related activities. The Ranger is also incredibly comfortable, especially when going for long drives, plus it offers a vehicle for just about any need and budget.
On the other hand, the General is best bet if you’re after something for recreational activities and adventuring. Although, it is not foolproof, it is undeniably reliable, and many General owners report to have clocked up to 1000 miles with close to no issues at all.
This does not imply that you can’t use Generals for work or pulling things around. In addition, both models include tons of accessories to allow you to execute your duties optimally. However, the Rangers have a better towing capacity and are a lot more comfortable. In addition, the Rangers have a considerably larger cargo box making them excellent for working.
Considering that this is going to be a hefty investment, you may want to double-check the features and specs of individual models. You may also want to consider whether you need to use the vehicle for adventure or work, as well as the provision for off-roading in your area. Ideally, these are some of the factors you’ll need to consider when choosing your next UTV.
So which one is it going to be? Please, post a comment below on which Polaris between General and Ranger is your favorite!
