The original Sportsman was launched way back in the mid-1990s. The first IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) models were released in 1996 and were powered by Polaris’s first 4-stroke, the venerable 500cc DOHC Fuji single (Polaris’s longstanding engine supplier) with a carb for induction.

The original Sportsman proceeded to slay the ATV market. Millions of these ATVs have been built and sold by the northern Minnesota off-road vehicle manufacturer.

There are two reasons why the Sportsman continues to sell in heroic volumes today: The first is its standard equipment and the second is Polaris’ commitment to deliver all this stuff at an incredible price.

The latest high value Sportsman has been updated from previous versions using a new, more compact independent rear suspension (IRS) and a return to the original Sportsman’s McPherson Strut independent front suspension. In our opinion these were the best riding iterations of the famous Sportsman. Goes without saying, we love the way this new 450 handles and rides.

From a power perspective the new-for-MY16 450 is impressive. This SOHC Pro Star EFI single loves to be revved. Power from engagement through mid-range is torquey-impressive. We’re pretty sure Polaris upped the value-leader Sportsman this year from 330 to 450ccs in response to the improved performance of Can- Am’s new 450 Rotax single.

The Sportsman 450 will go nose-to-nose with the Can-Am, something the 330 Sportsman ETX was unable to do. Not coincidentally, the 330 ETX is erased from the Polaris line-up this year. Standard equipment is where Polaris frustrates the competition. This new 450 is no exception to this rule. Our 450 pictured here has EPS, a hefty cost upgrade we feel is well worth the money for most riders. However, we’ve ridden other Sportsman models lots of miles without EPS and are still here to tell the story.

Consider this laundry list of goodies included with the lowest-priced Sportsman for MY16: Standard single lever brakes with braided steel lines, full, mud-resistant floorboards, composite racks with great capacities and an under-rack storage area up front.

There’s full instrumentation, electric-shift-able true 4×4 that doesn’t require the pilot to select diff-lock when it gets really slippery. (If Polaris’ Demand Drive senses a 5-percent variance in front wheel speed it automatically goes from differential 4×4 to fully locked 4WD).

This year there’s a new, easier-to-toggle 4×4 actuator on the right hand throttle block. Out back, Polaris’ benchmark IRS employs a full anti- sway bar and preload adjustable coil-over shocks. Polaris’ watertight and cool running CVT tranny extrudes power into a hi-lo-reverse sub tranny. The Sportsman comes not only pre-wired for a winch but prepped to accept Polaris’ quick-on, quick-off snow plow harness and mold board.

Go ahead and take another read of the included standard equipment and see if there’s anything you want in your next ATV we missed. Truth is, there isn’t. The Polaris Sportsman equipment load we’ve outlined is not some random stab at fuzzy market demands. The equipment list this incredibly value-priced ATV possesses has been fine tuned to continually meet the expectations of today’s ATV marketplace.

One ride on the 450 and you’ll be left with a very difficult decision. Strangely, it may not be deciding which of the 450’s competitors can legitimately be compared to it. The real decision you’ll face is this: Should you go for the ultra-value priced 450 or the more powerful but identically equipped Sportsman 570 for less than the price of the 450 with EPS?

Today, Polaris RZR sets another new standard in razor-sharp performance with the introduction of the RZR XP Turbo EPS and RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS.

Featuring a new ProStar Turbo H.O. engine that unleashes 168 horsepower – the most power ever offered on a factory side-by-side – the vehicles offer 15 percent more power than last year’s models and 9 percent more than anything else on the market.

To match the horsepower upgrade – and significantly improve on 2016 models – the 2017 RZR XP Turbo models feature new, high-capacity cooling, and a stronger driveline to get that power to the ground. The high-capacity cooling includes a new, more powerful, variable-speed, brushless fan coupled with a new, 40-percent larger, high-flow front grill and a 20-percent larger engine radiator. The new cooling ensures the engine can breathe for maximum power delivery.

The RZR XP Turbo EPS and RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS boast the most premium suspension, with exclusive FOX Podium Internal Bypass Shocks that deliver the plushest ride and best handling found on a side-by-side. The shocks generate progressive damping force that gives the vehicles a smooth ride with all the bottom-out resistance expected from ultra-performance off-road vehicles.

Large-diameter shock bodies (3-in/7.6 cm rear, 2.5-in./6.4-cm front), adjustable remote reservoirs and increased fluid capacity provide dramatic improvements in heat dissipation, fade resistance and durability. By using five compression zones to provide progressive damping as the shock gently absorbs bumps and stiffens to prevent bottoming, the Internal Bypass Shocks feel like five shocks in one. Combine that with three zones of rebound damping to minimize pitching, plus harsh top out for an ultra-plush ride and better handling over a wider range of terrain at any speed.

For ultimate agility, the vehicles feature front and re-tuned rear stabilizer bars to virtually eliminate body roll for flatter cornering. For quicker steering, both vehicles have a new 1.5-turn steering rack, paired with standard Electronic Power Steering (EPS). The RZR XP Turbo EPS and RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS’ industry-leading braking performance ensures precision stopping. The brakes feature large, triple-piston front calipers, dual-piston rear calipers, stainless-steel rotors and large 248-mm ventilated discs on all four corners, for powerful stopping performance.

The RZR XP Turbo EPS and RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS will be available in late 2016 in Titanium Matte Metallic and Cruiser Black. The two-seat model will retail for $24,999 U.S. and the four-seat for $27,499 U.S. Both models come with an extended two-year factory warranty when purchased before December 31, 2016.

For customers looking for high performance at value pricing, the 2016 RZR XP Turbo is now available for $19,999 U.S. and the 2016 RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS is $22,499 U.S.

Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) is a global powersports leader with annual 2015 sales of $4.7 billion. Polaris fuels the passion of riders, workers and outdoor enthusiasts with our RANGER, RZR and POLARIS GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; our SPORTSMAN and POLARIS ACE® all-terrain off-road vehicles; VICTORY and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE midsize and heavyweight motorcycles; SLINGSHOT moto-roadsters; and Polaris RMK, INDY, SWITCHBACK and RUSH snowmobiles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories sold under multiple recognizable brands, and has a growing presence in adjacent markets globally with products including military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles.

More information about Polaris Off-Road Vehicles and Polaris Engineered Accessories can be found online at Polaris.com.