NEW UTV OF THE YEAR: 2022 POLARIS RZR TURBO R 4

NEW UTV OF THE YEAR: 2022 POLARIS RZR TURBO R 4

When selecting the “New UTV of the Year,” we look at machines that have everything we want for a certain ride experience. Typically, we want power for a thrilling ride, room to take friends or cargo along, and comfort. We also want useful features in and out of the cockpit to make preparing for and going on a ride as simple as possible. Unfortunately, for 2022, there are only two choices for all-new UTVs, and they are both from Polaris—the RZR Pro R and the RZR Turbo R.

Price is a big factor, and right off the showroom floor, the Turbo R is nearly $10,000 less than the Pro R. Aside from that crazy price tag; a heavy, naturally aspirated, four-cylinder engine; and a longer wheelbase, the two new RZRs are nearly identical. The driving experience is slightly elevated in the Pro R, but so is everything else, including space and maintenance costs. These are a few of the reasons why it was not chosen as UTV Action Magazine’s “New UTV of 2022.”

 

NEW UTV OF THE YEAR: 2022 POLARIS RZR TURBO R 4

We chose the 2022 Polaris RZR Turbo R 4 Ultimate. Our list of positives starts with small creature comforts in the cockpit. We used the Turbo R on several long, overnight excursions, and the fact that you can fold the rear seats forward to make a huge, flat cargo surface is very cool. Being able to keep our cargo weight centered and out of direct sunlight was great. The regular RZR Pro XP and RZR Pro R models have this feature, too.

 

PERFECT COCKPIT

Up front in the driver’s area, Polaris has the cockpit layout nearly perfect. From the cubby holes in front of the shifter to the center dash compartment and huge glove box, there’s no shortage of storage in this vehicle. No other high-performance UTV has this much usable space. There’s also generous legroom for all passengers, and both front seats are on sliders. Head and shoulder room are plentiful as well.

 

Our favorite feature sits front and center, and that is the Ride Command system. It’s the number-one reason to buy a Polaris, and it’s the number-one reason you want to recommend a Polaris to your riding buddies. With Ride Command, not only can you follow preloaded trails, you can import/export trails, mark points of interest, and track your ride; however, the best component of this feature is Group Ride. After you set up Group Ride with other Polaris owners in your group or Polaris Ride Command app users, you can view others on the trail right on that 7-inch screen. The system allows you to see riders several miles away if they are connected to cell service and connected to their phones. No matter if you ride in dense woods or the wide-open, dusty desert, it will enhance your riding experience so much, we wish every brand of machine had Ride Command.

 

PLENTY OF POWER

At nearly 181 horsepower, the Turbo R 4 will top out at just over 90 mph, just like the four-cylinder Pro R. It gets up to speed quickly, but obviously the riding surface, tires and passenger load all affect the final ETs. Additionally, there will always be faster machines, no matter what you have, but there are always modifications that can be done to improve your machine. But, for a motor in stock trim running pump gas, this two-cylinder, turbocharged, ProStar engine runs perfectly. In fact, there’s so much power on tap, you will roast the stock tires off in 500 miles or less like we did. Those gummy, quick-wearing tires are probably our only complaint about the entire machine.

 

SICK SUSPENSION

We must admit, we almost cried when Polaris discontinued the RZR Turbo S. For West Coast dune and desert driving, it was our favorite weapon of choice. It had the perfect mix of power, stability and bump absorption. Well, Polaris outdid the Turbo S with the all-new suspension setup on the Turbo R. Using the push-button, computer-controlled Fox Live Valve suspension, you can take this RZR down a slow, rocky trail with as much comfort and confidence as you can blitz a set of 2-foot-deep whoops at 70 mph.

 

 

Its wide, 74-inch stance helps it carve dunes or racetracks well, and the long wheelbase helps it in the rough. It’s not necessary to dial in these shocks. Toggle between the pre-programmed modes and let the RZR’s brain do the rest. Polaris packaged the RZR Turbo R perfectly for virtually any riding situation you and your passengers might encounter. Make sure to bring a camera, because the loved ones left back at home won’t believe how much fun you had.

 

NEW UTV OF THE YEAR

Going into this year, we had high hopes of comparing the RZR Pro to the Speed UTV or possibly a new Yamaha YXZ. Instead, not surprisingly, Polaris is the only manufacturer to release all-new machines this year. We compared the two contestants last spring and filmed it for YouTube here: https://utvactionmag.com/battle-of-the-best-rzr-pro-r-vs-rzr-turbo-r/. For the rest, the economy and production landscapes have delayed new releases a bit. Moreover, prices have climbed significantly, too. So, if the industry needs to slow for a minute for prices to settle and development to continue in the right direction of quality over quantity, we’ll wait patiently. That solidifies our choice of the Polaris RZR Turbo R 4 as the UTV Action “2022 New UTV of the Year.” Now, go get one.

SPECS:

2022 POLARIS RZR TURBO R 4 ULTIMATE

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN

Cooling Liquid

Cylinders 2

Displacement 925cc

Horsepower 181

Drive system type 2WD/4WD

Engine braking system Not equipped

Engine type 4-stroke DOHC inline twin cylinder

with turbo

Fuel system/battery Electronic fuel injection

Transmission/final drive Automatic PVT P/R/

N/L/H

Overall vehicle size (L x W x H) 157” x 74” x 77”

Bed box dimensions (L x W x H) 29.5” x 23.8”

x 8.1”

Box capacity 300 lb.

Estimated dry weight 2,286 lb.

Fuel capacity 13 gal (46.56 L)

Ground clearance 16”

Hitch towing rating N/A

Payload capacity 1160 lb.

Wheelbase 125”

Ground clearance 16”

Front/rear brakes 4-wheel hydraulic disc

with triple-bore front and dual-bore

rear calipers; aluminum top hat rotor

Parking brake Park in-transmission

ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Cargo system Lock & Ride factory-equipped

cargo liner

Doors Front & rear full doors

Electronic power steering Race-inspired

steering wheel with tilt adjustment

Hitch type Not equipped

Instrumentation Dual-sweep analog dials w/

4” LCD rider information center:

user-selectable blue/red backlighting &

brightness, programmable service intervals,

speedometer, tachometer, odometer, trip meter,

clock, hour meter, gear indicator, fuel gauge,

coolant temperature, voltmeter, service indicator

and codes, seat belt reminder light,

gear indicator

Lighting Signature white LED, low/high & red

LED tail/brake lights

Other standard features Polaris Pulse system,

in-dash vehicle charge port, 1 front DC

accessory ports, 1 DC rear accessory port,

Polaris P.A.S.S., colored toe link, mud and

rock guards

Seat type Bolstered bucket seats with 4-way

adjustability (including 6” front to back tool-less

seat slider with tilt adjustability) and Sub-Zero

4-point harnesses, rear stadium-style seating

with Sub-Zero 4-point harnesses

Tires/wheels:

  Front 32×10-15 Maxxis Rampage Fury;

8-ply rated; wheel size 15×7

  Rear 32×10-15 Maxxis Rampage Fury;

8-ply rated; wheel size 15×7

  Wheels Painted cast-aluminum rim with

5-lug pattern

Suspension:

  Front shocks Fox 3” Dynamix DV

  Front suspension Dual A-arm with 22.25” travel

  Rear shocks Fox 3” Dynamix DV

  Rear suspension Trailing arm with toe link

with  24.5” wheel travel

Colors Gray/lime, black/red/gray

Price Starting at $36,999

See UTV Action’s full test on the RZR Turbo R 4 here: 2022 POLARIS RZR TURBO R 4 ULTIMATE – UTV Action Magazine