2015 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 Preview

Lucas Cooney
by Lucas Cooney
The new horsepower king of the Utility ATV class

When Polaris showed off its new Scrambler XP 1000 EPS last year, we knew it was only a matter of time before the more Utility-minded Sportsman received the same engine. It took about eight months, but Polaris finally unveiled its 2015 Sportsman XP 1000.

Like the Polaris Scrambler XP 1000, which was made as a direct competitor to the Can-Am Renegade 1000, the Sportsman XP 1000 has its sight set on a Can-Am ATV – the Outlander 1000. With a base price of $11,999, the Sportsman XP 1000 is $400 more than the base Outlander 1000 DPS, but settles in $250 less than the Outlander 1000 XT – Polaris’ likely target.

2015 Sportsman XP 1000 Beauty

Producing a claimed 88 horsepower, the 2015 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 is the most powerful Utility ATV in the industry.

The new Sportsman XP 1000 is powered by the 952cc ProStar single overhead cam 1000 Twin engine. It produces a claimed 88 horsepower, compared to 82 horsepower for the Outlander 1000. That’s an 18-horepower gain over the 2014 flagship Sportsman XP 850. The fuel-injected big bore engine features a 270-degree offset crankshaft and dual balance shafts. Other features include a new high-performance, close-ratio, On-Demand, True All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, standard electronic power steering and Polaris’ Engine Braking System (EBS) with Active Descent Control (ADC). Polaris said its ADC Active controls downhill braking for “optimal control and smooth, even deceleration to all four wheels.”

COMPARISON: Read our preview of the 2015 Polaris Off-Road Lineup

Towing capacity is listed at an impressive 1,500 pounds (200 more pounds than the Outlander) and you can carry more gear on the ATV as Polaris boasts the biggest rack capacity in the industry (120 pounds up front and 240 pounds in the back). Throw in 100 built-in, tie-down points and it should be easy to strap down just about anything you’d need to bring along for the ride.

2015 Sportsman XP 1000 Cargo Racks

The Sportsman XP 1000 can carry a combined 360 pounds on its front and rear racks.

Cushioning the ride of the Sportsman XP 1000 is front and rear dual A-arm front and rear suspension controlling nine inches of travel in the front and 10.25 inches in the rear and allowing for 11.5 inches of ground clearance.

One possible issue with the new Sportsman is its weight. It tips the scales at a whopping 823 pounds dry (no fuel or fluids of any kind). That’s 64 more pounds than the Outlander 1000, which does much to negate Polaris’ six-horsepower advantage.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2012 Can-Am Outlander 1000 XT

Standard features on the Sportsman XP 1000 include a Polaris HD 2500-pound winch, new plow accessory integration and new headlight pod with improved visibility to instrumentation.

2015 Sportsman XP 1000 Action

A 2,500-pound winch is standard on the new Sportsman XP 1000, seen here in Polaris Pursuit Camo.

The Sportsman XP 1000 is available in Black Pearl Metallic Paint and Polaris Pursuit Camo ($12,299).

While the new Sportsman XP 1000 replaces the Sportsman XP 850 as Polaris’ flagship Utility ATV, the 850 engine lives on in the 2015 Sportsman 850 SP ($9,999) and the Sportsman 850 ($8,499). The Sportsman 850 SP features electronic power steering and Polaris’ close-ratio, on-demand, true all-wheel drive, while the standard 850 does without those niceties.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Polaris Scrambler XP 1000

As you may have guessed, Polaris is also offering a two-seat Sportsman XP 1000 Touring ($13,299), which comes with all the same features as the one-seat model. Setting it apart is an improved driver and passenger seat with more contour and bolstering, which Polaris says offers increased passenger comfort and security.

2015 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 Specs
MSRP:$11,999
Engine:952cc 4-Stroke Liquid Cooled SOHC Twin Cylinder
Induction:Electronic fuel injection
Transmission/Final Drive:Automatic PVT P/R/N/L/H; Shaft
Drive System:Close Ratio On-Demand True AWD/2WD
Engine Braking/Active Descent Control:Standard
Front Suspension:Dual A-Arm 9″ (22.9 cm) Travel
Rear Suspension:Dual A-Arm, Rolled 10.25″ (26 cm) Travel
Front/Rear Brakes:Single Lever 4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc with Hydraulic Rear Foot Brake
Parking Brake:Park in Transmission/Lockable Hand Lever
Front Tires:26 x 8-14; PXT
Rear Tires:26 x 11-14; PXT
Wheels:Cast Aluminum
Length/Width/Height:82.25 in x 47.6 in x 50.75 in
Dry Weight:823 lbs
Wheelbase:53 in
Ground Clearance:11.5 in
Seat Height:37 in
Fuel Capacity:5.25 gal
Front/Rear Rack:120 lbs/240 lbs
Payload Capacity:575 lbs
Towing Capacity:1,500 lbs
Hitch Type:Standard 1.25 in Receiver
Cargo System:Lock & Ride
Lighting:Triple 50w High Beam, Dual 50w Low Beam Headlights; Dual Brakelights/ Taillights
Instrumentation:Analog Speedometer, Digital Odometer, Tachometer, Two Tripmeters, Hour Meter, Clock, Service Indicator, Diagnostic Indicator, Gear Indicator, Fuel Gauge, AWD Indicator, Hi-Temp/Low-Batt Lights, DC Outlet
Colors:Sunset Red, Blue Fire
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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