When Polaris trotted out news about the 2025 Ranger 1000 and XP 1000, the changes appeared to be little more than “bold new graphics.” Sure, there was some muttering about improved shift feel.

We spent a morning getting cozy with the heavily revised 2025 Polaris Ranger XP 1000 NorthStar Ultimate to find out if the new machine is more than a pretty face. Turns out, it is. Sure, there’s ...