Growing up immersed in the world of GT car racing and karting, my passion has always revolved around the smooth tarmac and the perfect racing line. Off-roading? Not really my scene. Sure, back in high school, my Silverado Z71 saw its share of muddy escapades, purely for the fun of getting it dirty. But that was the extent of my off-road inclinations. About a decade ago, as a car blogger, off-road vehicle tests became part of the job, and I developed a mild appreciation for four-wheeling. However, the whole side-by-side (SxS) craze remained a puzzle to me.
From my perspective, these off-road machines, while undeniably cool and capable, seemed incredibly expensive. Having off-roaded in everything from beat-up $2,000 cars to luxurious $200,000 Range Rovers, the idea of spending serious “real-car money”—between $15,000 and $45,000—on what looked like glorified golf carts with knobby tires struck me as absurd. Moreover, the typical SxS owners I encountered at off-road parks often drove these things with a reckless abandon, as if they were indestructible, frequently leading to questionable situations. I considered them niche vehicles, a far cry from needing specialized Roaders Car Parts.
Earlier this summer, Polaris offered me the opportunity to test drive a RZR. Given that I’m a city dweller without a truck or trailer, it felt somewhat impractical. Yet, the prospect of an exciting and unique experience with my kids during their school break motivated me to overcome these logistical hurdles and accept their offer.
To my neighbor’s bewilderment, a Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 arrived at my home a few weeks later. After maneuvering it into my garage, I was struck by the sheer size of this four-seater. It was longer and almost as wide as my four-door Honda Civic! And with a starting price of $32,000, it was significantly more expensive too. This was clearly more than just a collection of basic roaders car parts; it was a serious machine.
After figuring out transportation for my new “toy,” I spent several weekends with my family at a local off-road park. I anticipated the RZR experience to be interesting, but I never imagined it would be so incredibly enjoyable. Most surprisingly, my entire perception of side-by-sides underwent a complete transformation. Yes, I can confidently say, I’ve been converted by the SxS experience.
What truly won me over was the exceptional performance and unique driving style that the RZR offers. It’s an experience unmatched by any street-legal production vehicle – not a Ford F-150 Raptor, a Ram TRX, a Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, or even a Land Rover Defender. No conventional truck or SUV can replicate what this RZR achieves. While these passenger vehicles are undoubtedly capable both on and off-road, they operate in a different realm compared to a purpose-built machine crafted with specialized roaders car parts.
The key differentiator lies in the RZR’s handling, its inherent rowdiness, and its astonishing power-to-weight ratio. Weighing in at just 1,900 pounds yet boasting 114 horsepower, 15 inches of ground clearance, and 16 inches of wheel travel, it’s in a league of its own. I initially approached this test drive with the mindset of an “off-road golf cart,” but quickly realized it was closer to an “off-road shifter kart.” Having raced 80, 125, and 250cc shifters, I speak from experience. (And it’s worth noting that my loaner RZR wasn’t even the most powerful, capable, or expensive model Polaris offers.) The precision engineering and robust roaders car parts are evident in every aspect of its performance.
A comprehensive story detailing my full experience with the RZR XP 4 1000 is coming soon. But I wanted to preface it with this: it’s perfectly acceptable, and indeed healthy, to completely change your opinion. It signifies an openness to learning and evolving from new experiences. Exploring the world of side-by-sides and their impressive roaders car parts has certainly broadened my automotive horizons.
