I've had a 2011 Polaris Ranger 800XP that I bought new towards the end of 2010. I wanted something for the same reasons you list, though most importantly was so I could attach a hydraulic plow for our winters - something I'm assuming wouldn't matter to you, but also for the turf mode that only keeps one wheel driven to protect your lawn. Hi and low range 4x4 and 2WD are the other choices. Mine does have an e-brake, but no power steering. That wasn't an option when I bought mine, and I suppose it might come in handy when plowing, but I don't really miss it.
I added Fox air shocks to the front to offset the weight of the plow in the winter; during the summer I run with them deflated. I upgraded the seats with cushier ones made by FlexSteel, added tubular bumper guards for the bed, diamond plate floor and roof (which is really nice to be able to stand on when trimming tree branches), & LED light bars. Around here Polaris is just about all you see because they're local.
I also built a bed insert to haul brush back to the burn pile. It has a boat winch attached to one corner so I can easily strap down large loads. Once I get to the destination, I unstrap and use the dump bed to empty in one shot. I love that part.
The only real issue I had with it, several years ago now, was to replace some wiring harness connectors that would cause the engine to idle higher than normal which in turn made it difficult to shift. Something about the OEM harness lacking some length/flexibility near a couple engine connections. This was a well documented problem that I discovered on a Polaris Ranger forum, such that one company offered premade repair kits to fix the problem. Since I did that it's been flawless, and for a 15 year old machine I have no complaints.
I'm on just the second battery as well. The OEM Polaris battery lasted about five years at which time I replaced it with an Odyssey AGM based on a recommendation of the PRCForum (Polaris Ranger Club), which has been in there ever since, going on 10 years now. The Odysseys are pricey, but another example of you get what you pay for.
I would search out some independent forums based on the models you're considering - those are usually the best places to get first hand reports of any potential issues. I did that before I bought mine and it was enlightening.
Rangers are made in Alabama.
Where Is Your Polaris Made? ATVs, UTVs, Slingshot and ... - TimeForWheels | Your Ultimate ATV and UTV Guide