2018 Polaris RZR XP Turbo S Preview

Lucas Cooney
by Lucas Cooney
Fast Facts

Engine: 925cc turbocharged Twin

Power: 168 HP
L x W x H: 122 x 72 x 75"
Ground Clearance: 16"
Tires: 32 x 10-15 ITP Coyote
MSRP: $27,499
The new 2018 Polaris RZR XP Turbo S is the biggest RZR ever built with a massive width of 72 inches and an eye-popping 16 inches of ground clearance.


Polaris has come to market with the largest RZR it has ever produced – the enormous 2018 Polaris RZR XP Turbo S. This Sport UTV matches the Can-Am Maverick X3 X RS Turbo R with the industry’s widest footprint at 72 inches.

That extra wide stance will come in handy, as the RZR XP Turbo S sits a bit taller thanks to its 32-inch tires. Those new tires help the new RZR achieve a industry topping 16 inches of ground clearance.

Polaris didn’t skimp when it comes to suspension as the RZR XP Turbo S features Dynamix Active Suspension. This was our favorite bit of new technology last year and we are happy to see it included in a new model.

2018 Polaris RZR XP Turbo S Dynamix Active Suspension

Polaris also boasts that this is the toughest RZR ever made, in fact calling it the industry’s toughest machine. According to Polaris, nearly every component on the RZR XP Turbo S has been strengthened. Highlights included a reinforced chassis, stronger axles and isolated front drive that has three times more impact strength.

Of course, all of this comes at a cost and the Polaris RZR XP Turbo S retails for US$27,499 ($33,599 in Canada). That slots the new RZR right between the Can-Am Maverick X3 X RS Turbo R ($26,899) and the Maverick X3 X RC Turbo R ($28,999).

2018 Polaris RZR XP Turbo S Rocks

Check out the full press release below to hear what Polaris has to say about its newest RZR:

Today, Polaris unleashed an absolute terrain-dominating beast with the release of its most capable RZR ever, the all new RZR XP Turbo S. Bigger, tougher, the 72-inch RZR XP Turbo S is an off-road monster, completely redesigned and reengineered from top to bottom. The result is RZR’s most capable side-by-side machine, setting new standards in nearly every measurable category. Complete with Polaris’ exclusive DYNAMIX Active Suspension, the RZR XP Turbo S has an all-new vehicle design and an evolved cockpit allowing the driver to devour virtually everything in its path.

2018 Polaris RZR XP Turbo S Jump

“We set out to create the most capable and aggressive side-by-side in the industry, and without a doubt, we accomplished that with RZR XP Turbo S,” said Chris Musso, president of Off-Road Vehicles, Polaris. “This machine raises the bar for the industry. The sheer size of the machine and its significant performance upgrades will have even the most passive drivers attacking terrain with confidence.”

The Industry’s Toughest Machine

Polaris pushed the limits of engineering when designing the RZR XP Turbo S. From a reinforced chassis to bigger, stronger axels, Polaris incorporated significant performance upgrades and strengthened nearly every component of the machine. The all-new isolated front drive features three times higher impact strength, while the ROPS, control and trailing arms, and radius rods help handle the extreme force produced by this beast of a machine.

2018 Polaris RZR XP Turbo S Rocks 3

These efforts helped make it possible to engineer the industry’s first-ever side-by-side vehicle to come stock with 32-inch tires. Delivering an industry-best 16 inches of ground clearance, the massive 32-inch tires are also 249 percent more resistant to punctures than the competition. The combination of a flickable wheelbase and massive tires produces a machine that is extremely agile, yet capable of smashing though the toughest terrain with the ease of a trophy-truck.

The Industry’s Most Capable Suspension

2018 Polaris RZR XP Turbo S Action 1

The new machine’s toughness is complemented by its industry-best suspension. An intimidating 72-inch broad-shouldered stance opened new possibilities for smart and usable travel upgrades. The intelligent, industry-leading DYNAMIX Active Suspension system optimizes every inch of the vehicle’s 19-inch or 21-inch traditional wheel travel for both low-speed comfort and high-speed performance. Plus, the impressive design offers an industry-leading 25-inches of Useable Travel before bottoming out on the skid plate. Needless to say, drivers will enjoy putting all 168 horses to use, ripping through terrain that would tear up any other machine.

Performance Upgrades

2018 Polaris RZR XP Turbo S Action 2

The RZR XP Turbo S was designed with extreme performance capabilities in mind. With 25 percent more assist in power steering, the RZR XP Turbo S keeps the driver focused on effortlessly maneuvering through the terrain, not on forcing the wheel. Recalibrated aggressive throttle mapping gives the driver phenomenal throttle control and the redesigned clutch box allows for better air flow and decreased belt temperatures.

The Industry’s Most Evolved Cockpit

2018 Polaris RZR XP Turbo S Cockpit

The machine also features the industry’s most-evolved cockpit and an improved driving position, enabling drivers to comfortably command it through any obstacle desired. The cockpit boasts a four-point harness, premium flat-bottom SPARCO® steering wheel, and a new instrument cluster with seven-inch RIDE COMMAND™ glove-touch display on the center dash. Additionaly, the machine is cut with a new predatory look: low profile ROPS, aluminum roof and premium panels featuring LED lighting packages that comes standard to let your competitors know how far they are falling behind.

2018 Polaris RZR XP Turbo S Seats

Off-road addicts will welcome the challenge to drive harder, faster and farther than ever before. Available in Indy Red and Polaris Blue, this 168-horsepower beast of a machine will be available in dealerships as early as mid-March, and despite all of the enormous upgrades, checks in at a base price of $27,499 US and $33,599 CA.


Polaris RZR XP Turbo S Specs


EngineProStar Turbo H.O.; 4-Stroke DOHC 925cc Twin Cylinder Turbocharged
Horsepower168
TransmissionAutomatic PVT P/R/N/L/H
Drive SystemIsolated Xtreme Performance True On-Demand AWD/2WD
Front SuspensionHigh-Clearance Dual A-Arm with Stabilizer Bar and 24.8″ Usable Travel & 19″ Wheel Travel
Rear SuspensionTrailing Arm with Stabilizer Bar and 24.8″ Usable Travel & 21″ Wheel Travel
ShocksFOX Podium Internal Bypass Shocks with Live Valve (Electronically Controlled Damping); 2.5″ Front/3.0″ Rear
Brakes4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc with Triple-Bore Front and Dual-Bore Rear Calipers
Tires32 x 10-15; ITP COYOTE (8-Ply Rated)
Wheels15″ Cast Aluminum
Length x Width x Height122 x 72 x 75 in.
Weight1,718 lb (Dry)
Wheelbase90 in.
Fuel Capacity9.5 gal.
Ground Clearance16 in.
Bed Dimensions28 x 22 x 7 in.
Bed Capacity300 lbs
MSRPUS$27,499/C$33,599
Lucas Cooney
Lucas Cooney

I have been working exclusively in digital media since 1997. I started out with TSN.ca, spending nearly nine years creating and editing content on Canada's leading sports website. I left to join VerticalScope, Inc., one of the world's largest online publishers, to start a number of powersports publications. While at VerticalScope, I've helped create and oversee content for a wide variety of different publications, including ATV.com, Off-Road.com, ArcheryTalk.com, Tractor.com, RVGuide.com, and many more.

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