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My X against the background of the sheer rock cliff that overlooked our choice for a lunch break.

Courtesy Lynn R. Blamires

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My Xpedition before it got any dust on it.

Courtesy Lynn R. Blamires

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My X is ready for its break-in ride.

Courtesy Lynn R. Blamires

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When Nick Faulkner from Young Powersports first showed me the Polaris Xpedition, I thought, “This is crazy.” I bought my first ATV in 1993 for $4,500, and this one cost ten times that. I put it out of my mind because there was no way I could imagine presenting this to my finance committee – she would never approve it.

Then, in August of 2024, Nick called me and said, “Let’s take an Xpedition for a test drive.” I agreed, and we set a date. As I reviewed the article I wrote, I realized that I had put an “E” in front of the name when there wasn’t one. No one corrected me, so I wondered if anyone reads them. Anyway, it was an amazing ride, but I couldn’t see one in my future. Still, the wheels in my mind were beginning to turn.

My wife had hinted that a Jeep would be nicer in some weather conditions than my open-air RZR. (In my last article, I mentioned the 27-mile ride at 40 mph with no windshield in 45-degree temperatures – my wife was a popsicle.) An X is cheaper than a Jeep and much more agile. At 79, I am not getting any younger, and Nick had one 2025 two-seat left at a close-out price. The five-seat model won’t fit on my trailer, but the two-seat model will. Do you see how this works? This is what I presented to the finance committee, and it sailed right through. She called it a late Christmas gift to Lynn from Santa. Now I believe in Santa.

This new machine goes beyond what people are used to seeing in a UTV. This Northstar model comes with heating and air conditioning, sealed and lockable doors, power windows, and a roof with an interior liner that effectively eliminates dust in the cab. There is even an interior light overhead for reading maps in dim light. The windshield is curved and features a power wiper to improve visibility. It tips out into two positions – one that allows airflow through a gap and the fully open position.

The X is powered by a 114 HP ProStar 1000 Gen 2 engine with On-Demand AWD/2WD/VersaTrac Turf Mode. Turf Mode sets one rear wheel as a driving wheel to protect your lawn from a locked rear differential. Convenient controls include a telescopic, tilting steering wheel and an adjustable driver’s seat. I thought the seats were too low for maximum visibility, so I installed 2 1/2-inch risers on both seats. This provides more leg room in an already comfortable cab.

To handle the challenges of the trail, it features high-clearance dual a-arms with a stabilizer bar, 14 inches of ground clearance, 30″ Pro Armor Crawler XP radial tires, and a full coverage skid plate. In case of real trouble, it comes with a Polaris HD 4,500-lb winch. A 12.5-gallon fuel tank extends the ride to about 200 miles

In addition, the X features a throttle-response switch with three settings – Comfort, Standard, and Sport. In Sport mode, the throttle is more sensitive. I prefer the Comfort mode for trail riding. The response is very smooth. My X has a covered cargo box that measures 3′-by-4′ with a tailgate and a rear window that opens for access. There is plenty of room to handle cargo for the trail.

The X is fun to drive. It is geared to be responsive, and there is no lack of power. It floats over the trail like a butterfly. Nick explained that the Fox Podium QS3 shocks feature position-sensitive spiral technology, specifically designed for the Xpedition.

Ride Command is a standard feature on the Northstar editions. It is a feature I learned to love on my Polaris RZR XP 1000. It is a Polaris exclusive loaded with trail information and the ability to track other riders. My friend, Bry Davis, had some trails in Delle he wanted to explore. I thought it was a great opportunity to break in my X.

Delle is a ghost town 26 miles past Grantsville, Utah, on I-80. We parked in the large truck parking lot west of the Sinclair station to unload. I have ridden in this area before, but it was always on the south side, which is pretty flat. This time we rode north into the mountains and had a great time. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down, and extend your riding season with a Polaris Xpedition ADV Northstar.

Lynn R. Blamires can be reached at quadmanone@gmail.com.