Any 2015/2016 Polaris Ranger 6 x 6 experience?

[sdef]

I plan on purchasing a sidexside UTV this year and have been eliminating vehicles. I am down to Yamaha Viking EPS, Kawasaki Mule Pro-FX EPS LE and the Polaris Ranger 6x6. I do not need a UTV but want one. It will serve as a carryall on my small acreage for tools, firewood and such, along with the wife driving it around the neighborhood. Primarily a working toy.

At this point the Mule is my #1 choice but I really like the idea of 6 wheel drive- just because . The specifications on the 6x6 look good but there is not one locally at a dealer I can touch or drive. I do realize its turning radius will be greater due to its increased length. I just received a quote from a local dealer of $12,980 for a gray one with steel roof and clear rear panel. I have not spoken to him yet but hope this is an out-the-door price, not including sales tax. Will see...

I recently tested the new Mahindra UTV truck version and was disappointed as the test drive did not match what I was expecting from the specifications, the manual steering required more effort than I want and the CVT seemed more like a centrifugal clutch on a go-cart. Although I loved the bed.

My wants:

- Bed that will support a typical pallet of 48" x 40".
- Good suspension that will absorb well
- ~ 40 MPH top speed with very good low end power and acceleration that will translate into a lot of grunt for pulling and towing heavy loads.
- I highly prefer power steering for myself and my wife but do not want to rule out a manual steering vehicle if I can find an ideal one.
- Relatively quiet
- In general, the qualities of the Mule or Viking

I would appreciate anyone's comments with first-hand experience with the newer Ranger 6x6.

Thanks.

 

[Green Power]

I have used one that is a 02 i think, it is a tank. Ive gone up a 1:1 slope (or at least it felt like it) and it didnt even spin a wheel. Loaded up with firewood, it doesnt wince. I am sure you would enjoy whatever you decide upon though.

 

[OregonCraig]

...I am down to Yamaha Viking EPS...

My wants:
- Relatively quiet
- In general, the qualities of the Mule or Viking...

My wife and I just eliminated the Viking after a test drive. Even with the helmets that the dealership required us to wear, the noise was completely unacceptable. This was a 2016 Viking, which has less vibration and noise than previous model years. And we wanted to like it. On paper, the Viking checked many of the boxes for us. But the noise was very excessive. I highly recommend a test drive to see for yourself.

I have no experience with the Polaris models, but many on this forum do not believe the quality is as good as other makes.

 

[Oleozz]

So you haven't driven the Mule Pro yet? If you lived closer you would be more than welcome to drive mine. I looked at all the major brands and the build quality on the Mule impressed me. They aren't cheap, with the power steering, windshield, power dump bed and rear bumper you will
probably have more than $15,000 invested.

 

[TnWV]

My wife and I just eliminated the Viking after a test drive. Even with the helmets that the dealership required us to wear, the noise was completely unacceptable. This was a 2016 Viking, which has less vibration and noise than previous model years. And we wanted to like it. On paper, the Viking checked many of the boxes for us. But the noise was very excessive. I highly recommend a test drive to see for yourself. I have no experience with the Polaris models, but many on this forum do not believe the quality is as good as other makes.

My wife and I had the same experience when we test drove a Viking almost two years ago. Just hated it. Ended up with a Ranger 900 XP and with 77 hours and about 630 miles, we couldn't be happier. No comparison between the two, in my opinion.

No experience with a 6X6 or the mule you are looking at, but from what I have read that mule looks like an excellent machine. I would test drive them all and see what fits you the best. Many happy owners of each. Good Luck!

 

[JRobyn]

I really wanted to like the Kubotas, but the sound level of both the Subaru gas and the Kubota diesel turned me off. Went with the nearly totally silent Polaris Ranger EV.

 

[sdef]

So you haven't driven the Mule Pro yet? If you lived closer you would be more than welcome to drive mine. I looked at all the major brands and the build quality on the Mule impressed me. They aren't cheap, with the power steering, windshield, power dump bed and rear bumper you will
probably have more than $15,000 invested.

Thanks. Very kind offer. With the negative Yamaha Viking responses (noise) it has fallen to the bottom of my list now until I can get to at least drive one. The Mule Pro-FX EPS has been on top. Wed. I have an appointment with a Polaris dealer to drive their inventory and he is bringing the 6 x 6 down from a store in another town. Besides the 6 x 6 I am also going to test the Ranger XP 900 EPS which is selling at the moment for a great discount.

 

[sdef]

I have no experience with the Polaris models, but many on this forum do not believe the quality is as good as other makes.

And this is the reason I initially discounted Polaris in my investigations. But as time has gone on I am seeing a lot of good reports across the Internet on Polaris. I am hoping it is just a matter of one can find good and bad on any product depending upon where one looks. The Mule is still my first choice so far but have yet to drive one.

 

[sdef]

I really wanted to like the Kubotas, but the sound level of both the Subaru gas and the Kubota diesel turned me off. Went with the nearly totally silent Polaris Ranger EV.

How do you like the EV? I like the quietness a lot but really question the range, loadability and off road ability vs. a gasoline powered unit. How does yours compare?

 

[OregonCraig]

And this is the reason I initially discounted Polaris in my investigations. But as time has gone on I am seeing a lot of good reports across the Internet on Polaris. I am hoping it is just a matter of one can find good and bad on any product depending upon where one looks. The Mule is still my first choice so far but have yet to drive one.

I would agree and add that some owners are harder on their equipment than others, with respect to either maintenance or just use/abuse. I generally take care of my equipment and I generally don't have problems, but like you said, any product can have a problem now and then.