​2025 Polaris Pro S Ultimate Hits the Wide Range of Terrains in the Arizona Desert

Story by - Rick (UTV Source)

Location - Morristown, AZ

Vehicle - 2025 Polaris RZR Pro S Ultimate

Jumping behind the wheel on a Sunday A.M. departure, I set out to take on some harsh Arizona desert terrain. This was my first chance to push this newly released 2025 RZR Pro S Ultimate into some seriously brutal desert conditions. I met up with Andy, the owner of Rock Knocker, they make some really nice mud/rock flaps, and we headed out to Morristown, AZ to run a trail he had pre-run the week before. Andy took the time to mark all the right turns while noting potential hazards along the way to ensure we had a smooth day of offroad adventures.

As soon as I pulled up and unloaded the new Polaris RZR Pro S Ultimate, the first thing I did was fire up the Ride Command system and set a waypoint. For the first time, I also synced my phone to the Ride Command Stage 4 Rockford Fosgate sound system. With my helmet strapped on and everything set, we were off.

One of the unique features RZR has to offer for off road riding is their Ride Command system. Being able to track the entire trip and save it to the system is a game-changer. When you go out with others that have this Ride Command system you can also share and link the group together so you are all on the same page and know where everyone is. Also by starting the recording at base camp meant I’d always know how to get back, no matter where the trails took me. If you’ve ever ridden the Arizona desert, you know how easy it is to get overwhelmed. Trails out there overlap, split off, and twist in ways that can leave you wondering where the heck you are. Ride Command comes in clutch when you need to confirm you’re heading in the right direction, or to keep you strait if you need to back-track for any given reason.

Getting Comfortable in the Desert

It only took a few minutes to realize the Pro S was built for this terrain. After spending time in the dunes at Glamis, I knew it was smart to ease into the Pro S in the desert before truly letting loose. The Arizona desert is no joke—make a mistake out here, and it could cost you. I took my time, letting myself get comfortable and slowly testing the Pro S to see what it could handle.

This also gave me the chance to finally crank up the Stage 4  Rockford Fosgate sound system. I’ll admit, I usually skip the stereo when I’m pushing the pace because I like to hear what the machine is doing. But this time, I gave it a shot—and I was impressed.

Even with my full-face helmet and the Pro S ripping at a decent clip, the sound was clear, crisp, and cut through the noise of the factory exhaust and wind. I figured the music would blow out once we really picked up speed, but it never did. Honestly it played the entire time and was very enjoyable.

This OEM stereo system blew me away, Polaris stepped it up with this Rockford system. The speakers are integrated perfectly, without overwhelming the interior, and the sound quality is stellar. If you want even more, the Stage 5 system adds door speakers, and the integration is just as clean. For an Ultimate package, this setup is worth every penny.

Riding solo with just the music and the open trail ahead of me? That’s what it’s all about.

Turning It Up on the Trail

Andy, having pre-run the trail, led the way, and soon we hit some faster sections. I dropped back a bit to let the dust settle, then opened up the Pro S to see what it had. With Baja mode selected and 4WD High engaged, I started backing it into turns like a AWD rally car.

The Pro S felt incredibly balanced and responsive, both going into and coming out of corners. The shocks in Baja mode were unreal, soaking up whoops and sharp-edged washouts like nothing. I should have checked up on a few hits that came out of nowhere, but by this point, I had a solid grasp of what the Pro S could handle. I started exploring its limits, pushing harder into corners I could read well ahead of time.

I’m no pro driver. Most of my mistakes come down to braking too late or not hard enough while trying to set up for a turn. But the Pro S? It made me look good. The brakes were fantastic, and the machine’s overall control was next-level.

Let's also not leave out how pleasantly surprising the factory Maxxis tires were. Even though I was nervous about flats or sidewall damage in terrain like this, they held up beautifully. The traction was excellent even with the terrain constantly shifting—sandy washes, jagged boulders, and loose gravel that kept me on my toes. Hearing the tires kick rocks into the doors added to the excitement.

Conquering the Rock Garden

The trail took us into a gnarly rock-crawling section filled with boulders and small waterfalls. I stopped, shifted into Low, and got ready to climb.

Here’s the deal: I hate blowing  belts, so I keep the RPMs up for better control and lower stress on the drivetrain. The Pro S’s suspension in Rock mode is fantastic. I never felt jarred or tossed side-to-side, even when tackling big hits. Polaris nailed it by letting you switch shock modes on the fly—it’s a game-changer.

I’ve never considered myself a rock-crawling guy but the Pro S made me enjoy it. This machine handles technical terrain like it’s nothing.

Image courtesy of Polaris

Blasting in 2WD

After clearing the rock garden, we hit a brutal section of hard-packed dirt surrounded by cactus and jagged flagstone. The slower pace allowed the group to catch up, and I decided to let them pass. Once their dust was out of sight, I dropped back into Baja mode, shifted into 2WD, and let it rip.

Blasting through rough terrain in 2WD might not be the smartest move, but I’ve done it enough to know what to expect. This time, I wanted to test how the Pro S handled in terms of balance. Would the front end push through turns, or stay in the groove?

The Pro S didn’t disappoint. The rear kicked out exactly how I expected, and correcting it was easy thanks to the turbo’s instant response. If I overdid it, letting off the throttle was enough to bring the machine back in line.

The Final Stretch

The 50-mile trail ended with a smooth fire road. I switched to Track mode, locked in 4WD High, and mentally pictured a rally stage. Not even bothering to check the speedometer—I just let it do it's thing flying through the terrain. The Pro S felt like a slot car, gripping the road and carving through the turns effortlessly.

With my playlist blasting and the Pro S performing flawlessly, the entire run felt like a vibe. The speed, comfort, and agility of this machine clicked every box for me.

If you’re new to UTVs, the 2025 Polaris Pro S Ultimate is an amazing platform to grow with. It’s comfortable, forgiving, and packed with controllable power. When you’re ready to push it harder, it delivers every bit of excitement you could want. Whether it’s ripping through the dunes at Glamis or tearing up the rugged Arizona desert, this machine does it all.

Package Options For Any Riding Terrain

Polaris is offering the Pro S in 3 trims (Sport, Premium, and Ultimate) along with offering some accessory packages that are if you will more basic and functional additions.

Desert Package

Rock Package

Rugged Trail Package

Images courtesy of Polaris

We appreciate that manufacturers have been embracing this more and more the last couple of years, and we at UTV Source are happy to follow up with more aftermarket support for the majority of the makes and models out there. Everyone wants to make their ride their own and it's rad when we are approached by folks who have either done research or directly purchased everything they needed to dial in their ride. I'm sure our partnered brands will have more for the 2025 Pro S soon, new parts are being released all the time, so rest assured we'll have them on the site ready for you to dial in your UTV for your specific riding style and terrain.

When it was all said and done I loaded up the RZR PRO S back onto the  Aluma trailer and I couldn’t help but think: the Pro S Ultimate is a UTV I’d love to own. In stock trim, it has everything you need to tackle any terrain. And with aftermarket support, building your dream Pro S is easy at UTV Source.