$9,999 MSRP / 28 HP

• All-new for 2026

• under $10,000

• tiny

The Value Ranger

If there’s one thing about side-by-sides that consumers like to complain about, it’s new-rig prices. Polaris’ engineering team saw that, and immediately got to work on this: the 2026 Polaris Ranger 500.

All-new for 2026, the Ranger 500 nudges Polaris into what they call the “value” segment. This area of the market previously only saw UTVs from companies like Kubota, CFMoto, and Kawasaki. Polaris saw that they were losing sales from that end of the market, and along came the Ranger 500. Somehow, Polaris even managed to hit the sub-$10,000 mark.

How much power does it make?

The 2026 Polaris Ranger 500 makes 28 hp out of a 567cc single. That engine is actually just a down-tuned version of the mill out of the Ranger SP 570. Why Polaris didn’t keep the original 44 ponies? We’re not completely sure, but safety concerns might play a part in it. This thing only weighs 1,210 lbs, after all.

That power gets to the wheels via automatic PVT, or Polaris Variable Transmission. It’s just a Polaris-branded CVT, don’t think too much about it. The Ranger 500 is also all-time all-wheel drive with auto-locking front drive and a selectable turf mode.

What makes it special?

The price is the greatest thing about this rig. If you have a small property and need something to haul bags of mulch, make trips to the mailbox, or move tools from one shed to the other, the Ranger 500 is up for the task. It won’t move hay bales around or tow farm equipment, but it will work harder than anything else you can get for under $10,000. This is Polaris’ answer to “why not just buy a $10,000 farm truck?”

Why do I want it?

If you’ve been looking for something to help with chores around your couple acres of land, this is your rig. It’s easy to get online, browse new side-by-sides, and immediately leave the website after seeing the $20,000+ prices. That’s just not reasonable for the average consumer, and Polaris was one of the worst offenders of that. But the Ranger 500 remedies that problem, and is a great budget utility option.

Why don’t I want it?

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the capacities are not great. The Ranger 500 can haul 300 lbs in the rear dump bed and tow 1,500 lbs. While the towing beats out a lot of side-by-sides in its price ranger and class, a 300-lb bed capacity is tiny.

We get it, it’s hard to hit the industry-standard 600 lbs with a rig that’s only 58.5 inches wide and has a wheelbase of just 73.2 inches, but something that can haul more than a RZR would be nice.

If you want any form of luxury, look elsewhere. The Ranger 500 has no optional enclosed cab or HVAC, no four-seat model, and no stereo option.

What trim should I get?

This is an easy one, as there is only one trim. Polaris has realized over the past few years that consumers would much rather take a rig and configure it to their needs from the start. We’ve seen this from the Xpedition and RZR Pro S, where Polaris has downsized the trim options on both of those rigs.

So for the Ranger 500, Polaris only offers the absolute base model and encourages the buyer to configure the rig themselves. Of course, the parts catalogue has the normal goodies like windshields, mirrors, storage options, and more.

If I like this… what else should I look at?

If you’re looking for a budget worker, the Kawasaki Mule, Kubota RTV, or John Deere Gator are all fantastic options. The Mule has tons of trim options to fit every budget, and the RTV is one of the most popular pure-utes out there.Want something a bit more luxurious and has bigger capacities than the Ranger 500? The Ranger XP 1000 or Can-Am Defender might be right for you.

2026 Polaris Ranger 500 specs

Length: 110 in.

Width: 58.5 in.

Height: 74.8 in.

Wheelbase: 73.2 in.

Claimed Dry Weight: 1,210 lbs

Engine: single-cylinder

Displacement: 567 cc

Transmission: Automatic PVT H/L/N/R/P; shaft-drive

Claimed Power: 28

Claimed Torque: N/A

Fuel System: EFI

Steering: EPS

Drivetrain: All-wheel drive with auto-locking front drive and selectable VersaTrac Turf Mode

Front Suspension: MacPherson strut, 9 inches of travel

Rear Suspension: Dual A-arm, IRS, 10 inches of travel

Front Brakes: hydraulic discs

Rear Brakes: hydraulic discs

Wheels F/R: 12 in. aluminum

Tires F/R: 25 x 8-12; Carlstar 489/25 x 10-12; Carlstar 489

Bed Capacity: 300 lbs

Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs.

Seating Capacity: 2

Ground Clearance: 10 in.

Fuel Capacity: 9.5 gal