Powered by Polaris’s rock-solid 760cc OHV parallel twin, Polaris Ranger 800 EFI Mid-Size puts out an impressive 50 horsepower and those stallions are driven through one of the most proven CVT transmissions in the business.
The 800’s On-Demand true 4-wheel-drive system is completely happy with this powertrain and can be selected from a single handlebar switch to run in AWD, 2WD or full-time 4×4 with the differential automatically locked. It turns out to be the best all-round no-brainer 4WD system on the market. There’s simply no other system available this easy to operate.
Polaris even included its Versa-Trac rear differential as standard equipment, which allows you to ride over turf without churning it up every time you turn the steering wheel.
This opens up a whole world of utility possibilities including working on golf courses and sod farms or just tooling around your homestead doing gardening chores without tearing up the sod.
Although the 800 Mid-Size is not available with power steering, it’s geometry allows very light steering feel and honestly, we never felt like we needed assistance at the wheel.
A big difference between this platform and the premium Ranger XP is the use of McPherson struts up front instead of double A-arms. Most drivers won’t notice a big difference and this proven strut design was always a Ranger hallmark from the very beginning.
Polaris knows how to make struts work and the result is an extremely good ride, both over high speed bumps and low speed gnarl.
At the rear, a double wishbone design allows plush riding feedback, even when the bed is loaded up. If you’re just out playing and don’t have to lug cargo, this A-arm IRS is a big part of what makes this side-by-side such a gas to run down trails in.
About the only downside we could come up with here is the 800’s lack of room for a third passenger. It’s really kind of ridiculous to expect this from a vehicle that was originally designed to be narrower than its full-sized counterparts. If this feature is of huge importance to you we suggest you move up to the Ranger XP.
