2027 Polaris RZR Pro R Boost: 275 HP Turbo and Active Suspension From $49,999

Fifty thousand dollars is a round number, and Polaris stopped one buck short of it. The 2027 RZR Pro R Boost starts at $49,999, and for that the maker packs in a turbocharged engine, shocks that think for themselves and a roof that doubles as an air scoop.

A turbo that's more than a turbo

The 2.0L ProStar Fury inline-4 makes 275 hp at 7,000 rpm. The naturally aspirated Pro R makes 225 hp, so that's 50 more. Polaris lists peak torque at 223 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm, with 215 lb-ft already available at 4,000 rpm. Reviewers say turbo lag is almost absent.

Polaris says this is more than a bolt-on job. The engine gets a Garrett turbo with an integrated manifold, a 60mm compressor wheel, a 59mm turbine wheel and an electronic bypass. Inside are forged dished pistons, 9.8:1 compression, revised rods and cams, and sodium-filled exhaust valves. Polaris also says full power holds up to 115°F and 10,000 feet of elevation, which covers a lot of desert and a decent amount of mountain.

Cooling gets a rethink

Turbos make heat, so Polaris moved the engine radiator behind the occupants and uses the roof as an air scoop. A front radiator stays up front for the turbo and transmission. The CVT belt (the belt-driven automatic transmission) is larger and better cooled. Reviewers report a quieter cab with less heat than the Pro R.

Curb weight is up 162 pounds over the previous Pro R. One reviewer says the extra heft adds stability at speed.

Suspension that adjusts faster than you can blink

Dynamix active suspension runs on Fox Live Valve X2 shocks. It adjusts compression and rebound (how the shock squishes and how it springs back) at each corner more than 200 times a second. Modes are Comfort, Rock, Track and Baja. Claimed travel is 27.0 inches front and 29.0 inches rear.

The Ultra trim adds an active sway bar and BFGoodrich tires. The cabin has a 10.4-inch Ride Command screen, a Rockford Fosgate Stage 4 audio system and heated and cooled front seats.

Pricing and timing

• Ultimate: starts at $49,999 MSRP
• Ultra: starts at $52,999 MSRP
• Availability: preorders are open, with deliveries planned for November

Grain of salt on the early drives

The impressions come from a Polaris-hosted drive at Sand Hollow near Hurricane, Utah, on September 30. One outlet notes the guided pace was set for less experienced drivers, so suspension limits and rock crawling weren't fully tested. Nobody has put a long, ugly day on one of these yet.

What it means for you

If you want a factory sport side-by-side with more power and active suspension, the choice comes down to a $3,000 gap between the Ultimate and the Ultra. The Ultra's extra feature is the active sway bar.

Because the early impressions come from a guided press drive, wait for longer tests on rocks and in sustained use before judging the suspension and durability. Also weigh the added 162 pounds and the November delivery timing against your season. The spec sheet looks great. The long-term story is still to be written.

Sources: gearjunkie.com, utvguide.net, utvsource.com. Photo by Satishaa Javali on Unsplash.