POLARIS GENERAL DELUXE

Last updated Oct 25, 2020

Sport UTVs may be the most fun invention of modern times, and utility UTVs may be the most useful. So, is it at all surprising that the Polaris General sport utility machine is so popular? Also called crossover UTVs, Polaris has expanded the General family to eight machines—five 2-seaters and three 4-seaters—to satisfy UTVers’ love for this style of machine. We tested the Polaris General Deluxe to see why Generals work so well for so many UTVers.

HOW DOES COST COMPARE?

Prices start at $15,999 for the base General two-seater and the new, more nicely equipped General Sport. Next in line is the General Premium at $18,299. The General Deluxe is $20,799. The General XP 1000 Deluxe starts at $22,999. It has 100 horsepower like the other Generals, but gets you 30-inch tires on 15-inch wheels, more ground clearance and a 64-inch stance with more suspension travel. Arctic Cat’s Havoc is $16,199. Tracker’s SVX1000 is $14,499.

WHAT’S SO DELUXE ABOUT THE DELUXE?

It’s got some nice extras compared to the base model. You get compression and spring preload-adjustable, piggyback-reservoir Fox QS3 shocks rather than non-reservoir Sachs ZF shocks; 27-inch Maxxis Coronado tires rather than CST Clinchers; aluminum wheels rather than steel; painted bodywork; roof; rear-view mirror; front bumper; 4500-pound winch; and Stage 1 Rockford Fosgate Audio with Bluetooth connectivity.

WHAT POWERS IT?

A naturally aspirated, eight-valve, double-overhead-cam inline twin with 100 horsepower.

WHAT KIND OF 4WD SYSTEM DOES IT HAVE?

Selectable 2WD/4WD with an automatic-locking front differential. There’s also a lockable rear differential with Turf mode.

With a big tilting cargo bed and a roomy cab that’s easy to enter and exit, the General is ready to get work done or carry your gear for adventures.

WHAT’S THE TRANSMISSION LIKE?

It’s a dual-range, belt-type, fully automatic continuously variable transmission like most UTVs have. The General’s transmission also has automatic engine braking.

HOW FAST IS IT?

Sport UTV fast. The General’s acceleration is in the same league with some sport 1000s. That makes it a rocket compared to most machines with tilting cargo beds. It’s plenty quick enough to hang with sport machines on trail rides. This thing has all the power most drivers will ever need.

Air intakes for the engine and transmission are high, under the hood.

HOW IS THE POWER DELIVERY?

Sporty or smooth, depending on how you treat the gas pedal. Fortunately, Polaris realizes many General drivers actually do chores with their machines, and just as many travel technical trails where tractability is more important than full-lock powerslides, so you can apply the General’s power gently when you like. If you’re in the mood for a good powerslide or a satisfying blast of speed, the General can deliver that, too.

HOW IS THE SUSPENSION?

Better than the first sport UTVs had. UTV Action has been around since 12 inches of travel was a big deal on sport UTVs, so it’s no shock that the General’s 12.25 inches of travel up front and 13.2 inches in the rear give it impressive control and respectable speed potential in rough terrain. It should; the current RZR S 1000 has the same travel numbers. The adjustable piggyback-reservoir Fox QS3s are also more serious shocks than most recreation machines come with. The ride is comfortable at relaxed speeds, but not as plush as some less sporty recreation utility machines, even with the compression adjusters set to full soft.

The General is a sport utility UTV that performs as well as some pure sport 1000s, which means its power and suspension can humiliate most recreation utility machines.

HOW DOES IT HANDLE?

It handles aggressive driving better than typical recreation machines, but it’s not quite in sport UTV territory. The General Deluxe weighs 289 pounds more than the RZR S 1000, and it has more body roll in corners. That said, it’s stable at speed and easy to handle on twisty trails. The General’s 60-inch width at the wheels and compact size let it maneuver tight trails and confined spaces without snags.

A winch, heavy-duty front bumper, and painted bodywork are just a few of the Deluxe package’s desirable extras.

HOW IS IT IN CHALLENGING TERRAIN?

The General shows its authority in rough-going. With 100 horsepower on tap, the General tackles hills and power-sapping soft terrain with confidence. Twelve inches of ground clearance and an effective 4WD system let it negotiate rocks and mud with ease. Air intakes for the engine and transmission are high, under the hood. Also, the unlockable rear differential comes in handy in extremely tight-going. The General’s engine braking helps on most downhills, but it only acts on the rear wheels, which makes the rear end step out on slippery descents.

The roomy cab comes with big, easy-to-read analog instruments, a rear-view mirror, and a Rockford Fosgate audio system with Bluetooth connectivity.

HOW ARE THE DETAILS?

Better than you find on most sport UTVs. You get a roof, big, easy-to-read analog instruments, a rear-view mirror and a winch. The Rockford Fosgate audio system’s sound quality is very good. The General is easier to get in and out of than most sport UTVs, and the cabin is roomy with two cup holders in the center. There’s also lots of storage in the dash, a good-sized glove box, and a center console with a deep storage bin and a power port (one of two in the cab). There’s more storage under the hood. The seats aren’t as supportive as sport UTV seats, but they’re comfortably padded. The General’s bodywork and full doors offer splash protection riders in sport UTVs only dream of. Engine and air-filter access is easy with the bed tilted.

WHAT’S OUR FINAL ANSWER?

The General performs as well as some pure sport 1000s, which means its power and suspension can humiliate most recreation machines. It’s also ready to carry your gear for adventures or get to work, with a big tilting cargo bed and a roomy cab that’s easy to enter and exit. If you need one machine for fun that can work like a recreation utility UTV, you have to consider the Polaris General Deluxe.

See the new 2021 Polaris General XP 1000 Pursuit Edition here: https://utvactionmag.com/2021-polaris-utvs/

SPECS:

POLARIS GENERAL 1000 DELUXE

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION

Engine type Liquid-cooled, 8-valve, DOHC

4-stroke twin

Displacement 999cc

Bore x stroke 93mm x 73.5mm (x2)

Compression ratio 11:1

Lubrication system Wet sump

Additional cooling Auto fan

Induction 48mm EFI (x2)

Starting/back-up Electric/none

Starting procedure Turn ignition switch

Air filter:

Type Paper pleat

Access Tool-less; lift bed, undo two straps

Transmission Dual-range CVT w/ rev. & EBS

Reverse procedure Move range selector to “R”

Drive system Selectable Turf mode/2WD/4WD

w/ auto diff-lock

Final drives Shafts

DIMENSIONS/CAPACITIES/WEIGHTS

Fuel capacity 9.5 gal.

Wheelbase 81.0”

Overall length/width/height 118.2”/62.5”/73.8”

Ground clearance 12.0”

Claimed dry weight 1,544 lb.

Bed weight limit 600 lb.

Hitch 2” receiver

Towing limit 1,500 lb.

ROLLING CHASSIS

Frame Steel round/square tube

Suspension/wheel travel:

Front Dual A-arm w/ Fox Podium 2.0 compression/

preload adj. shocks/12.25”

Rear IRS Dual A-arms w/ Fox Podium 2.0

compression/preload adj. shocks/13.2”

Brakes/actuation:

Front Hydraulic discs/left-side pedal

Rear Hydraulic discs/left-side pedal

Parking Mode in transmission

Tires:

Front 27×9-14 Maxxis Coronado

Rear 27×11-14 Maxxis Coronado

ELECTRICAL

DC outlet Console & dash

Lighting:

Front 2 LED hi/lo headlights

Rear Dual LED brake/taillights

DETAILS

Instrumentation Speed/odo/trip/hour/rpm/fuel/

gear/clock/2WD-4WD

Colors Sunset Red, Black Pearl

Minimum recommended operator age 16

Suggested retail price $20,799

Contact Polaris, (800) POLARIS https://general.polaris.com

POLARIS GENERAL DELUXE

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