Polaris RZR XP1000 vs Kawasaki Teryx KRX1000

Polaris RZR XP1000 vs Kawasaki Teryx KRX1000

Competition:

These two cars have some stiff competition. Base price for the RZR is $20,999, and the KRX starts at $23,899. They line up against the all-new Segway Villain SX10 WX ($19,299), the Yamaha YXZ1000R SS ($20,899), Honda Talon 1000XS ($20,099, outgoing model), and Honda Talon 1000RS ($21,099, outgoing model). The lone turbocharged car in the group, the Can-Am Maverick X3 DS Turbo, starts at $21,999. 

Impressions:

From the time you open the door to get in, these two units start to show their differences. Kawasaki has taken the more utilitarian, long-wearing approach to the KRX’s design, where the RZR focuses more on style. The KRX feels more open and roomy, the RZR more tight and wrapped around its occupants. We have to give Polaris credit where it is due – the 2024 RZR XP1000 looks great in person. The cage lines are crisp and take a lot of inspiration from race UTVS, complete with a vertical A-pillar bar that will also be awesome for mounting accessories.

The RZR is also easier to drive fast in twisty, tight mountain roads, but only due to its much quicker steering ratio. Kawasaki’s big KRX is a phenomenal handler, it just takes a little more wheel action to get it there. The KRX’s more reserved approach to tuning is also apparent in the ride quality, where the RZR gives up some comfort to the KRX in order to avoid bottoming its shorter-travel suspension. The KRX’s plush shock setup and long travel make it comfortable pretty much everywhere, although the constant CLUNG of the springs landing on the crossover rings does detract slightly from the overall serenity of the ride. So does the KRX’s loud but tinny stock muffler. The RZR definitely has a nicer exhaust tone under heavy throttle. 

Utility capability  is better on the KRX, due to its larger bed and increased interior room. The KRX’s chassis also seems to handle accessory weight and big tires well, which is something we have not had the opportunity to test on the new 2024 RZR XP. Both cars use the same 4/156 lug pattern with a pretty positive offset, so tire options between the two are nearly identical once you reach the aftermarket. As far as accessories go, there are currently a lot more on offer for the older KRX platform than the brand-new 2024 RZR XP1000, but the RZR will soon catch up. 

It really boils down to the terrain you plan on riding in. Over our 3 months of testing, we tried both cars in a big variety of terrain available to us. It boiled down to a pretty simple formula once all of the votes were tallied. If the bumps were basketball-sized or larger, the KRX was more fun, more comfortable, and more composed. If the trails were smooth and twisty, the RZR was more agile, more aggressive, and more entertaining to drive. Every one of our drivers preferred the RZR when rallying switchbacks in the mountains, and in turn, all of our testers preferred the KRX in the rough, choppy desert. Want some advice? Sit in both, pick the trim level and features that you want, and get out and ride. These are both fantastic cars, just fine-tuned for two different types of terrain.