2026 Polaris RZR XP & XP S Compared

2026 Polaris RZR XP & XP S: The Reimagined Sport UTV After 11 Years of Rider Feedback

The original Polaris 2014 RZR XP 1000 didn't just “sell well” — the rig defined an entire category of ride. Sport side-by-side culture as we know it grew around that platform. 

But like anything else, 11 years is a long time to collect complaints. And Polaris collected them all. That’s why it’s important to take a look at the newest 2026 RZR XP and the all-new RZR XP S – because these are the result of Polaris taking a look in the mirror and listening to the owners.

2026 RZR XP & XP S at a glance

• Engine: 999cc Gen 2 ProStar DOHC twin-cylinder, 114 HP, with all-new CVT geared lower for smoother power delivery

• Chassis: 25% stronger than the RZR XP 1000 it replaces

• Shocks: 2.5" Walker Evans Velocity with 16-position adjustable clickers and true dual-rate springs

• Drive modes: Rock, Standard, Sport across both models

• RZR XP width: 64 inches — the classic trail-agility spec

• RZR XP S width: 72 inches — with 25" usable suspension travel, 16" ground clearance, 32" tires, and Pro S-derived drivetrain components

• Pricing: RZR XP Sport starts at $19,999 MSRP; RZR XP S Sport starts at $22,499 MSRP

2026 RZR XP

There's a version of this announcement where Polaris adds a few features and calls it a new generation. But the 2026 RZR XP is not that. The changes go deep enough that it's worth walking through what actually moved.

Chassis and Drivetrain

The 25% stronger chassis is a structural rethink informed by where the old platform was flexing under hard use. 

The redesigned drivetrain borrows components from the Pro-series platforms: stronger axles, improved CV joints, upgraded front drive splines and prop shafts. 

For riders who pushed the XP 1000 hard, this addresses years of complaints about drivetrain durability. The whole system is also better isolated now, which means less vibration and noise feeding back into the cabin.

Suspension

Walker Evans 2.5" Velocity shocks are the headline, but the detail worth paying attention to is the dual-rate spring setup. 

Progressive damping and progressive rebound mean the suspension handles both light technical terrain and heavy-loaded riding without forcing you to choose one or the other. 

There's also a new top-out cup at the bottom of the shock — a small fix that eliminates the clanking noise at full extension that XP 1000 owners knew well.

Power and Transmission

The 999cc Gen 2 ProStar makes 114 HP, up from approximately 110 HP in recent XP 1000 models. 

The more interesting change is the new CVT, which is geared lower for smoother, more responsive delivery — especially noticeable in Rock mode on technical terrain. Geared reverse also improves response in tight spots over the previous setup.

Comfort and Ergonomics

The 2026 RZR XP comes with more cockpit room, redesigned seats with better bolstering, and smoother park-to-drive transitions (particularly on hills) – all direct responses to rider feedback. 

Ask anyone who's done a full-day desert run in the old XP 1000 what they'd fix, and most of this list comes up.

Technology

The 7-inch RIDE COMMAND touchscreen (on Ultimate trim) with built-in GPS and over 1 million miles of verified trails is the most significant feature add. 

Group Ride tracking, rearview camera, Rockford Fosgate Stage 3 audio with 400W external amp, and Polaris P.A.S.S. anti-theft round out the tech package. 

The XP S Is A Different Machine, Not Just A Wider XP.

When Polaris announced the 72-inch RZR XP S alongside the redesigned XP, the assumption was that it was the same platform stretched by 8 inches. But when you look at the specs, you’ll see it’s not that simple.

The XP S shares its wheelbase with the Turbo S (117 inches) and pulls key components from the Pro S platform. Five-lug wheels instead of four, 8-ball CV joints in the axles, 32-inch Pro Armor Trekker tires instead of 30s. 

The suspension travel grows to 25 inches usable (front and rear) with 19-inch front and 21-inch rear wheel travel. Ground clearance is 16 inches vs. the XP's 14.5.

The chassis is reinforced to Pro S standards rather than just scaled up. And both models run the same 114 HP engine, the same three drive modes, and the same Walker Evans shock spec.

The XP S's 72-inch width and 114 HP also give it an edge over competitors like the Kawasaki KRX 1000 (68", 110 HP) and Honda Talon 1000R (68", 104 HP), making it the most powerful naturally aspirated sport UTV in its class.

Which One’s Right For You?

The 64-inch RZR XP is the call if your trails have tight sections, you value the agility that made the XP 1000 legendary, or you want the most accessible price point ($19,999 for Sport). 

It's also the right choice if you're coming from an XP 1000 and want the familiar footprint with a substantial upgrade in durability and tech.

The 72-inch RZR XP S is the call if you spend your time on wide-open desert, dunes, or terrain where ground clearance and suspension travel matter more than trail agility. 

At $22,499 for the Sport trim, you're getting Pro S-level components without the turbocharged price. If you've been eyeing a Turbo S but don't need forced induction, the XP S fills that slot.

Four-seat variants (XP 4 and XP S 4) are available across both lines at $22,999 and above for those who bring passengers.

If you've been riding RZRs long enough to remember the 2014 launch, the 2026 lineup is the version that closes the gaps. Polaris spent 11 years listening — and this time, the machine shows it.

Here at Goats Trail, we carry officially licensed Polaris RZR apparel for riders who live the lifestyle beyond the trail. Whether you're at the trailhead or the dealership, gear up in something that matches what's in your garage.

Shop Licensed Polaris RZR Apparel at Goats Trail