If you’re here, you probably love off-roading and outdoor adventures, and hey, we don’t blame you! It’s a ton of fun. That said, you have an important decision to make because having the right UTV model can make a big difference. You may have heard about two of the most popular choices on the market: the Polaris Xpedition and the Polaris General.
Both UTVs are designed to handle challenging terrain, and each is sure to provide you with a thrilling ride (assuming you're an adventure seeker). However, each UTV comes with specific features, so you might not know which one you should choose. Don’t worry — we’ve got your back!
In this article, we’ll be discussing the similarities and differences between the Polaris Xpedition and the Polaris General. Once you have all of the information you need, you should be able to make a decision. Let’s get started, shall we?
Performance
When it comes to UTVs and ATVs, it’s important that you’re driving something that packs a lot of punch. Let’s compare how both the Xpedition and the General measure up below:
Polaris Xpedition
The Polaris Xpedition comes with a 114 HP ProStar 1000 Gen 2 Engine. Needless to say, this will provide plenty of power, no matter what sort of off-road adventure you’re planning on going on.
The Xpedition’s engine is complemented by FOX® Podium QS3 shocks with Position Sensitive Spiral Technology. This means you’ll be able to enjoy a smooth ride no matter what (i.e. even on super rough trails).
Oh, and did we mention that the Xpedition has 14 inches of ground clearance and 30-inch Pro Armor Crawler XP tires? You’ll have no trouble tackling rough terrain if you decide to go this route!
Polaris General
What about the Polaris General? Well, for starters, the Polaris General comes with a 100 HP engine, which is slightly less powerful than the Xpedition's. However, it still delivers excellent performance on trails (especially when the terrain is challenging).
The General features Walker Evans Velocity Series shocks (known for their high-performance coilover and internal bypass design). This means you’ll get to enjoy better control and a smoother ride. It has 13.5 inches of ground clearance and 30-inch Pro Armor Crawler XG tires, so, like the Xpedition, it’s a great choice for trail riding.
Towing and Hauling Capabilities
Are you planning on using your side-by-side to haul and tow heavy loads? If so, you’re in luck. The Polaris Xpedition and the General are both great choices. Let’s break it down below:
Polaris Xpedition
The Xpedition is specifically built to haul heavy loads. It comes with a 600 lb. dumping cargo box and has an impressive 2,000 lb. towing capacity. If you need to carry a lot of gear with you on your adventures, this may be the right choice for you.
Whether you're hauling camping equipment, recovery gear, or other supplies, the Xpedition can handle it. The 60/40-split flip-up rear seats and flat floors also provide flexible storage options. This means you’ll be able to customize your storage space.
Polaris General
The General, while also quite capable, comes with a 600 lb. dumping cargo box and has 1,500 lb. towing capacity. This is slightly less than the Xpedition, but it’s still more than adequate for most off-road adventures.
The General's cargo capacity and towing power make it super versatile. You shouldn’t have any trouble hauling hunting and fishing gear, firewood, or even a small trailer. Again, if you do need to haul heavier loads, the Xpedition might be a better choice. It all depends on what you’re going to be using your UTV for.
Comfort and Convenience
Comfort is more important than you might think when it comes to choosing a UTV model. This is especially true if you plan on going on long rides or multi-day off-road adventures. Let’s take a closer look at the Xpedition’s comfort and convenience additions vs. that of the Polaris General below:
Polaris Xpedition
The design of the Polaris Xpedition definitely takes comfort and convenience into account. This UTV features a plush FOX® suspension system (which ensures a smooth ride). It also comes with an enclosed cab with heat and AC settings. The interior is designed with comfort in mind, too. It includes tilt and telescoping steering, as well as adjustable bucket seats.
The Xpedition is also equipped with Polaris' RIDE COMMAND technology, which includes a 7-inch display, JBL® Trail Pro 4100 Audio, front and rear cameras, and over 1,000,000 miles of pre-loaded trails and waypoints.
Needless to say, this technology is meant to improve your riding experience — and oh boy, does it ever! You can even add an Xpedition Phone Dash Mount from Thumper Fab if you want to make things more convenient.
Polaris General
The General also prioritizes comfort. It comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display with Ride Command technology (including vehicle diagnostics, GPS, Bluetooth, cameras, and Rockford Fosgate® Stage 3 Audio). Once again, you’ll be able to enjoy a smooth ride since the General comes with Walker Evans Velocity Series shocks.
When you take a look inside, you’ll notice that the General is specifically designed for all-day comfort. It has adjustable seats, premium half doors, and controls that are easy to access. It doesn’t have an enclosed cab like the Xpedition, but that’s not a bad thing. You’ll still be able to enjoy a comfortable, convenient ride!
Customization and Accessories
What’s the best part about having your own UTV? Customizing it, of course! If you’re looking to pimp out your ride, Thumper Fab has plenty of UTV and ATV accessories available, so don’t hesitate to check out our selection. Let’s take a closer look at what the Xpedition and the General have to offer in terms of accessories below:
Polaris Xpedition
The Polaris Xpedition is adaptable and customizable, to say the least. Whether you want to add a roof rack, tent, awning, or recovery gear, you shouldn’t have any trouble making your ride your own. Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun with it! That’s what customizing is all about.
The Xpedition’s flat roof design, in particular, allows for additional storage options. Not only that, but the configurable cab and rear bed box provide a ton of flexibility, which means you’ll be able to carry different types of gear.
Polaris General
The General also comes with several different accessories. This means you’ll be able to customize it however you like. You can even add accessories like bumpers, winches, storage solutions, and cool lighting.
While the General may not have as many customization options as the Xpedition, you’ll still be able to take advantage of its versatility. If you’re going on very specific off-road adventures, you might want to go with the Xpedition. That said, as the name suggests, the General is great for more “general” off-road adventures.
Technology and Connectivity
You may be wondering what these UTV models have to offer when it comes to technology and connectivity. Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered! Let’s break it down below:
Polaris Xpedition
The Polaris Xpedition is absolutely loaded with advanced technology. In fact, this is probably one of the first things you’ll notice about it! As mentioned previously, it includes RIDE COMMAND with a 7-inch display, JBL® Trail Pro 4100 Audio, and front and rear cameras.
This system makes it a lot easier to explore new trails and stay connected with your group. This UTV also offers RIDE COMMAND+ with accessory purchase, so you have the opportunity to improve its technological capabilities even further.
Polaris General
The Polaris General also features RIDE COMMAND technology. Furthermore, it has a 7-inch touchscreen display (like the Xpedition), vehicle diagnostics, GPS, Bluetooth, cameras, and Rockford Fosgate® Stage 3 Audio. As you can see, you shouldn’t have any trouble staying safe and connected during your off-road adventures.
Durability
When it comes to picking out a UTV, you’ll definitely want to take durability into consideration. After all, this is a pretty big investment. You want to get something that’s going to last. Here’s what the Xpedition and the General have to offer in terms of durability:
Polaris Xpedition
The Xpedition comes with high clearance dual A-arm suspension and a stabilizer bar, both of which will help keep you safe while you’re riding. It also has a full coverage skid plate, and a ProFit sport roof with interior liner.
These features are what make the Polaris Xpedition so durable. Even when you’re riding over rough terrain, the vehicle will stay intact and keep you from getting injured. You won’t have to worry about the UTV getting damaged, either. After all, it’s built for this sort of thing!
Polaris General
The General has high clearance A-arms, a low-profile sport bumper, and 14-inch suspension travel. These features will help protect your UTV (as well as your passengers and yourself), even when traversing challenging trails.
The General has a super strong foundation and it’s made from high-quality materials. This makes it a very dependable choice, whether you like to go on lots of off-road adventures or not. It might be slightly less reliable than the Xpedition, but not by much!
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
This is a hard decision, but just keep this in mind: choosing between the Polaris Xpedition and the General is ultimately going to depend on your specific needs. Ask yourself: “What am I going to be using this UTV for?” Clearly, the Xpedition has a slight edge with its 114 HP engine, but both vehicles have excellent suspension systems and ground clearance.
The Xpedition also has a higher towing capacity (2,000 lb.) compared to the General (1,500 lb.), so it’s better for carrying heavy loads. Both vehicles come with advanced technology and connectivity features, but again, the Xpedition is slightly better (since it has JBL® Trail Pro 4100 Audio and RIDE COMMAND+ options).
Truthfully, you can’t go wrong with either option. No matter which model you choose, Thumper Fab is here for you if you want to customize your ride! Make sure to check out our wide selection and have fun making your ride your own. From adjustable bed racks, to audio tops, to winch bumpers, we have everything you could possibly need!
