Introducing Duck Creek, Utah
The UTV Source crew took the 2024 Polaris General XP 4 1000 to Duck Creek, Utah, where we weren’t sure what to expect. Having tested the General briefly before, this time we aimed to push the machine through every type of terrain imaginable. Our ride through dirt, sand, rocks, mud, and rain proved the General is not just a capable utility vehicle, but a serious contender able to keep up with the sport UTV segment. We had three different drivers take turns in the 2024 General throughout our trip. Let's get to know the drivers:
Rick: The Speed Junkie – Rick lives for speed and thrives behind the wheel of sport SXS models. He’s all gas, no brakes (literally—he calls them the "coward pedal"). His fuel? Pure adrenaline.
Jason: The Midwesterner – Jason loves a good mix of fun and productivity. He’s into fast, hard-packed trails and rolling hills, but he also needs a machine that can handle work on his property—something versatile and tough.
Caleb: The Rookie – Caleb may be new to the SXS world, but he’s no stranger to excitement. He’s after a ride that’s easy to control, focusing on maximizing his smiles per mile with every adventure.
First Impressions: A Surprising Competitor
Rick first took the General for an initial ride around the tight trails of the Wildomar OHV area, but didn't get the chance to stretch its legs. He was excited to test the machine in the rugged environment of Duck Creek and open up the throttle a bit.
Rick was also blown away by how well the General handled. “I like to drive fast. I’m not hauling hay or hunting, so I wanted to see if it could keep up with the pace I’m used to. And man, it did. I drove this thing hard for four days, and it never skipped a beat.”
Jason is more used to seeing these used for sportsman activities like hunting and ranch work, but was excited to see how it would handle serious trails. To his surprise, the General held its own among a group of heavily modified sport side-by-sides. Despite being stock, the General didn’t just keep up—it excelled.
It was Caleb's first time behind the wheel of the General and he echoed Rick and Jason's feelings about how well it kept up with pack. "I kept finding myself being able to push whoever was ahead of me. It didn't always have the acceleration of the sport side-by-sides, but a rolling pace, I had no problem keeping up!"
Capability in Varied Terrain
From mountain climbing to deep mud, the 2024 Polaris General XP 4 1000 handled it all with ease. Everyone agreed that the General’s Walker Evans shocks and well-balanced design made it an incredibly smooth ride. Even without the trailing arm suspension found on many sport UTVs, the General tackled ruts, rocks, and rugged trails effortlessly.
Rick noted, “I drove it so hard, but it handled everything I threw at it. Whether it was rain-soaked mud or rocky trails, the General powered through.”
Jason, impressed by how the General navigated different surfaces, added, “This machine is more than capable. It was smooth, and the suspension was surprisingly good. At no point did I feel like I was pushing it beyond what it could handle. I mean, it’s a momentum car—you keep it moving, and it just eats up the terrain.”
Caleb was surprised with how well it handled rougher terrain, adding, “I figured it would do well on the hard pack, but it impressed me how the rear A-arm suspension worked on some of the rockier step-downs we rode through.”
Comfort Meets Performance
Comfort is a huge factor when spending long days on the trail, and the Polaris General didn’t disappoint. It offered a smooth and comfortable ride, even after hours of hard driving.
Jason appreciated some of the creature comfort features stating, “It’s spacious, and the seating position is great once you get used to it. My favorite part was the Rockford Fosgate audio system—jamming out while tearing up trails is an experience.”
“This is the first four-seater I’ve felt comfortable throwing around,” said Rick who also appreciated the simple, intuitive controls. “This thing is easy to drive. If you’re a first-time UTV buyer, you’re going to love how simple the General is. Three buttons for diff lock and four-wheel drive, and a high-low shifter that worked flawlessly.”
Caleb also noted, “The stock seats were actually really comfortable, and it was kinda nice to be a bit more upright versus other UTVs I’ve been in. It was like a sporty, smaller pick-up truck!”
A True Hybrid of Utility and Sport
One of the standout features of the Polaris General XP 4 1000 is its hybrid design. It’s built to serve both as a utility vehicle capable of a hard day on the ranch and as a sport UTV with enough performance to take on the trails after hours.
Rick, who hadn’t initially considered the General as a family vehicle, was swayed by its performance and comfort. “I never thought I’d be interested in the General for my family, but after this trip, I’m sold. It’s got plenty of room, it’s comfortable, and it’s a great all-around machine.”
Jason, reflecting on the General’s hybrid nature, said, “This is truly a sport-utility hybrid. It’s got the performance to keep up with sport UTVs, but it’s also got the practicality of a utility vehicle. And that bed in the back? For someone like me with property, it would be a game-changer.”
Caleb also recognized the General's versatility, adding, “This thing was definitely fun on the trails we took it on, but every time we stopped for a break, I’d step out and be reminded that this thing is also a real workhorse.”
What Could Be Improved?
While the crew had mostly positive things to say about the Polaris General, they did have a few suggestions for improvement. Rick noted the seating position took some getting used to, but once he adjusted, the comfort level was high.
Rick and Jason both agreed that upgrading to aftermarket seats and harnesses would make the ride even more secure, especially for more aggressive driving. Caleb felt the seats were plenty comfortable but agreed that a 4-point harness would have made him feel a bit safer.
Rick also noted, “We did put some wheels and tires on it. We mounted a set of Axe Wheels with 32-inch GBC Mongrels, and they hooked up. The extra bit of ground clearance, I think, was really necessary.”
Final Thoughts: The 2024 Polaris General XP 4 1000 is a Beast
After four days of relentless driving through Duck Creek, the UTV Source crew was thoroughly impressed with the 2024 Polaris General XP 4 1000. From its comfort and capability to its easy-to-use controls and hybrid utility-sport design, the General proved itself as a top-tier UTV for a wide range of applications.
“If you’re looking for a sport-utility hybrid, this is it,” said Rick. “It’s comfortable, capable, and just plain fun to drive. Whether you’re hauling gear or pushing it hard on trails, the General has you covered.”
Jason echoed the sentiment, saying, “I really like the car. I love the functionality, I love the ease of operation." Even after being handed the keys with no overview of the machine, he said, "You hop in, you know what to do. It's a very good UTV. Super comfortable and capable.”