Believe it or not, side-by-sides are not just for desert riding and trail running. In fact, a vast majority of those sold spend their days doing work and never leave the owner’s property. It’s for this reason that the Polaris Ranger remains the best-selling UTV of all time.

Now, if you’ve been looking for a side-by-side that blends affordability, utility, and Polaris-level reliability in a compact package, Polaris just pulled the covers off its 2026 Ranger 500. And it is exactly what budget-conscious property owners and weekend warriors have been waiting for.

“With the continued shift from city living to rural residences, more and more people are finding themselves with ample space, yard projects, and time spent outdoors,” said Reid Wilson, President of Off-Road Vehicles, Polaris. “While the RANGER brand has been the No. 1 selling utility side-by-side brand for 27 years, we see an opportunity to expand our lineup with a vehicle that offers the right features at the right price, helping to make the work a little easier and creating the opportunity for a little more fun while doing it. The new Ranger 500 is an approachable and dependable solution that is backed by Polaris’ legacy of off-road excellence.”

Under $10K—And Not Stripped Down

The new 2026 Polaris Ranger 500 rolls out with a starting price of $9,999, and this isn’t some bare-bones work mule either. This new side-by-side comes factory-equipped with a molded plastic roof, a 2,500-pound winch, LED headlamps, and even a front bumper (yes, bumpers can be optional in this market).

For anyone thinking this is just a cheaper version of a more premium machine, think again. This little beast was built from the ground up with first-time side-by-side owners in mind, while still delivering the dependability and performance that’s made the Ranger the top-selling utility UTV for nearly three decades.

Built For The Backyard Boss

Polaris is aiming the Ranger 500 squarely at folks who have moved out of the city and into more rural living—people with land to work, trails to explore, and no time to waste. Whether you’re hauling mulch, pulling stumps, or plowing snow, this machine was designed to make your life easier (and probably a little more fun).

Powering the new Ranger 500 is a detuned, 28 horsepower, version of the company’s 567cc Prostar 570 single-cylinder engine. The engine is mated to a CVT drive train that feeds an on-demand all-wheel-drive system. Turf Mode allows users to disengage the rear locking differential while the front engages automatically when needed through the implementation of a mechanical limited-slip.

A 300-pound capacity dump bed is good for about 10 bags of mulch. For those needing a bit more, the Ranger 500 can tow up to 1,500 pounds. This makes moving everything from firewood to fenceposts a breeze. At just 58.5 inches wide, the Ranger 500 is compact enough to fit inside most standard storage sheds and garages, along with any backwoods trail, while still maintaining enough stability to instill confidence in even the greenest driver. A speed lockout is also standard, allowing owners to set limits in 5 mph increments from 15 to the maximum of 40 mph. This PIN protected setting ensures that horseplay is kept to a minimum.

User friendly controls are great for beginners and interior storage space has been optimized for any task. The Ranger 500 also comes pre-wired for the company’s Pulse system, meaning aftermarket accessories such as light bars are a breeze to integrate.

Maintenance? That’s covered too. With easy-access service points and a national dealer network behind it, keeping your Ranger in shape should be no hassle.

Designed With You In Mind

Polaris says the Ranger 500 wasn’t just a budget build—it was a purpose-built response to what people actually need. Brandon Kraemer, VP of Product Portfolio, explained that it’s all about offering the right features at the right price, with just enough tech to keep it useful, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming or high-maintenance.

“Similar to all our vehicle designs, we start with the question ‘what does this customer care about’ and ‘what do they need from their vehicle,’” said Brandon Kraemer, Vice President of Product Portfolio, Polaris Off-Road Vehicles. “With the new RANGER 500, value is key; but it also needs to deliver the RANGER brand’s renowned reliability along with a practicality that is important to this customer. We focused on incorporating the features that a first-time side-by-side owner would find most valuable when working around their yard or property.”

Customize Your Ranger 500

Polaris also made sure the Ranger 500 is highly upgradable. The company has over 30 accessory options, including those from Kolpin, ready to bolt-on. These range from windshields and rear panels, to plows and accessories, to upgraded lighting and more. Everything connects easily thanks to Polaris’ plug-and-play design, meaning less time in the garage and more time getting things done (or hitting the trail).

Where To Get A 2026 Polaris Ranger 500

The 2026 Polaris Ranger 500 starts shipping to dealers in early August 2025, and with a starting MSRP under $10,000 in the U.S., you can bet they’ll go fast. Whether you’re managing land, gearing up for snow season, or just looking for a dependable, go-anywhere utility vehicle—this new Ranger might be your next ride.