This monster of a machine is almost more SUV than UTV. I’m not exaggerating here. The XPEDITION is huge. If you’re looking for a weekend toy to romp around the trails with a few friends, this thing is definitely packed with all the features and plenty of room.

Polaris is known for giving adventurers extremely motorized toys. The XPEDITION is certainly one of the most unique utility vehicles on the market, just in terms of looks. With the roof tent package, this adventure station wagon looks impressive, robust and, above all, fun.

I wasn’t sure what I would think of this vehicle and how practical it would be, especially with the price tag hanging from the rearview mirror. We never know exactly what the weather in Montana will have in store for us, so we have to leave our adventures to Mother Nature. Thankfully, she gave us a great spring to test this vehicle out. Did it live up to our expectations?

In summary: The Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 NorthStar was not only a fun UTV, but was also put into some tricky, unexpected, Hard work scenarios. It may not be my first choice for a work gear, but it is a perfect compromise between work and play that is undeniable.

First impressions and feelings

First things first: Let’s address the elephant in the room. The XPEDITION is the elephant. This thing is gigantic. It has way more cargo space, cabin space, and headroom than a traditional Jeep. It felt massive.

The said it did not feel strong in a negative connotation. The minimalist interior with so much air space, It felt light and nimble. Weight-wise, it’s lighter than most Jeeps at over 2,900 pounds (curb weight).

Aside from the size, the XPEDITION just looked cool. It was imposing and the combination of the rust/black color with the topo pattern made for a clean looking machine. The headlights had the mean Appearance, that gave the frontend only an aggressive appdanger.

The roof tent is a pretty cool addition that we didn’t get to test nearly as thoroughly as we’d hoped (you’ll find out why later). Having the option has given me a lot more flexibility in where I’ll stay overnight.

Testing the Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 NorthStar UTV

The original plan was to run around the fields with my dogs and look for bears in the spring. With the winter being mild, we thought we could use the XPEDITION as a weekend adventure vehicle while still having the ability to hunt, haul, and even run errands.

My dogs were comfortable in it and happily jumped in the back, even though my Gunner Kennels didn’t quite fit. Fortunately for me, and less fortunate for the detailer who ended up having to clean the thing when I was done, my dogs were very comfortable in the cab.

When hunting, we did a lot of chasing, tracking and dog tracking, but ultimately the XPEDITION was less of a toy and more of a tool.

Unexpected, serious tests

Like many others, we were faced with a sudden late snowfall followed by persistent rain that left far too much water. As we worked to drain the water away from the buildings, the XPEDITION immediately became a workhorse. For a while, it was the only vehicle we could use to get off the property, making it a sudden and irreplaceable asset.

On flooded and rutted roads, it held on tight, never let up, and got us where we needed to go. The FOX Podium suspension, all-wheel drive, and 14 inches of ground clearance made for a smooth ride when the roads were anything but, and I feel like we eventually made the most of the 114 fuel-injected horsepower.

When ice and wind tore down some huge poplar branches, blocking a road, the wind quickly cleared a path where my arms would have absolutely failed.

Robust and powerful

When the cold came and we experienced mornings with temperatures of -20 degrees and below, the XPEDITION always started, albeit with some muted disdain and a few groans. But no shame, me too. Despite this, it never failed and always started.

The heated cabin and windshield wipers were a real boon on mornings when chores were tedious. From loading and transporting the dogs in the unbearable cold to hauling food, it did more than we had originally planned.

Although late winter weather cut short our play season, the work season never ended. Thankfully, the Polaris XPEDITION held out and was an asset when we needed it most.

What could be improved

THE XPEDITION IS LOUD

And this time, I don’t mean it in a good way. Yes, UTVs are almost always loud, but because the cabin is so cavernous, that sound seemed amplified. Even with the incredible JBL audio system, I couldn’t really hear the music or my own thoughts. If you’re expecting a leisurely ride, this isn’t it. It’s an unpleasant listening experience from start to finish, unless you’re the type who likes loud exhaust noises.

Constant mirror adjustments

This is another one of those quirks that many commercial vehicles seem to have. When I slammed the doors, the mirrors just wouldn’t stay in place. No amount of tightening seemed to keep them from folding in on themselves. Every time I got in, I had to roll down the window and readjust the mirrors.

Opening angle of the rear door

This is a weird thing that you would never think about until you use it. The rear doors don’t open all the way. They would stop at an angle that oddly wouldn’t open all the way, which meant that I would inevitably slam into the edge of the door or hit my head on the door as I rushed in. It’s a weird quirk that I’m sure you get used to eventually, but I just never did it.

Who should consider purchasing a Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 NorthStar?

Starting at $44,999, the Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 NorthStar is certainly not on the low end of the price scale, and the options that can push that price well above that of a pretty nice new truck make it a tough buy. However, if you’re looking for a UTV for a weekend adventure, to blast down dirt roads, camp on, and get work done at home, this could be a solid option for you.

It’s also a good option for those looking to accommodate more people. It would make a great adventure vehicle for the whole family. I could also imagine it being great for ranch operations, especially ranches that host guests.

Those looking for a machine that’s more work and less play might consider something like a Polaris Ranger. No one wants to haul the ranch’s smelliest loads in the cab. An outside bed might be a must for you.

Other than that, the Polaris XPEDITION ADV 5 NorthStare did everything you’d expect it to do, and it did it damn well. It’s comfortable, it’s capable, and oh, it was so much fun.