Thoughts On The 2021 Polaris Ranger Lineup

Details on Polaris’ 2021 Ranger lineup were released in late 2020, and to the joy of those who purchased a 2020 Polaris Ranger, no huge changes were announced. However, long-time side-by-side riders know that even the smallest of changes can make the biggest of differences. And when you’re building on a machine framework that is already leading the industry, sometimes the best thing you can do is maintain the status quo. Back in 2020, some riders took delivery of the 2021 Polaris Ranger 570 and the 2021 Polaris Ranger 500 late in the year. And although there was much speculation about the other 2021 Polaris Ranger models, we have since come to know what the 2021 lineup of Ranger vehicles entailed. So let’s get to it and see what’s going on with the 2021 Polaris Ranger lineup!

Changing Up The Colors On The 2021 Polaris Ranger

Polaris got rid of the Sage Green and Metallic Sand color options for the 2021 Polaris Ranger 1000 XP, making it available in Burgundy Metallic, Ghost White, Matte Navy, and Cammo. They stuck with the orange and grey options for the High Lifter Edition, and introduced a new Trail Boss Edition that comes with white body panels. Ask anyone who rides hard, though, and they’ll tell you that a white-colored body is particularly hard to keep clean, especially with regards to mud stains. But with the right Polaris Ranger cleaning supplies, you won't have to concern yourself over trifles like mud smudges, dust accumulation, and dirt buildup.  

The 2021 Polaris General

Like the other 2021 Polaris Ranger models, the most salient difference between the 2021 Polaris General and its most current predecessor is purely cosmetic. However, even though they didn’t release a High Lifter, North Star, or Turbo General edition in 2021 like many riders had hoped, Polaris was able to fix the belt slap issues that plagued the clutches of older Polaris General editions. 

The 2021 Polaris Ranger High Lifter

One of the biggest differences between the 2021 Polaris Ranger High Lifter and the 2020 Polaris Ranger High lifter is that the 2021 version come stock with 30” Outlaw tires instead of 28” tires. Polaris also altered the headlights on the 2021 Polaris Ranger High Lifter edition, stuck with the same wheel base, and dropped the travel one inch from 11 inches on the 2020 High Lifter to 10 inches on the 2021 High Lifter.

The 2021 Polaris Ranger XP Series

A nice surprise for Ranger owners who have experienced turf mode issues is that all 2021 Polaris Rangers have geared reverse instead of reverse chains. But with the Polaris Ranger XP edition specifically, the 2021 models have a beefier front end, a rear that is 50% stronger, a stiffer frame, and a larger rear box. This might have some implications for aftermarket a-arms, which might need to be redesigned to fit the 2021 Polaris Ranger models. Further differences in the 2021 XP 1000 Rangers include the addition of stock 14” rims, a battery charger port, and a fresh front bumper. The 2021 XP 1000 Ranger can also be upgraded with factory LED headlights, but if you cost it out, you’d be better off with an aftermarket headlight kit from a company like BeamTech, Quad Logic, or Heretic Studio. 

New 2021 Polaris Ranger Editions

As we mentioned earlier, Polaris introduced a new special edition 2021 vehicle: the Polaris Ranger Trail Boss. The Trail Boss edition was made to replace the Back Country edition, and it can be upgraded with the NorthStar package as well. Like the Texas Ranger edition, the Trail Boss Polaris Ranger model comes with load-adaptive rear shocks, which are designed to automatically adjust to support added weight. This might seem like overkill for some applications, but it’s perfect for those who frequently pile on and deposit heavy loads from the bed of their side-by-side.

Closing Thoughts On The 2021 Polaris Ranger Lineup

If you were hoping for major changes to the Polaris Ranger’s interior or exterior back in 2020, hopefully your wishes have come true by now. But despite the unsatisfactory updates that Polaris made to their 2021 Ranger lineup as well as things like a fuel line recall for the 2021 Polaris Ranger soho Premium edition, 2021 wasn't the worst year ever for Polaris Ranger owners. After all, if you’re not happy with a particular aspect of your ride, aftermarket parts, accessories, and alterations are only a few clicks away. So if you're in need of assistance to procure, install, or use any accessory for the 2021 Polaris Ranger, look no further than Everything Polaris Ranger!