All I can speak to is my experience with Polaris Rangers. My Father in law had two of them. He first had a 2005 that we abused the hell out of. Kids flipped it over a couple times and hit several trees. We drug logs that were way too big and smoked the belt more than once. Never had a lick of trouble out of it. He sold the '05 and got a used 2010 for the fuel injection benefits at altitude. We, mostly all the grand kids, beat the snot out of that one too. It had to have a couple belts and some sensor replaced, can't recall which one. We still have that machine and it has just now developed some issue with the front diff. Gonna have to tear into it next Summer.
We now have a 900XP that I have not let everyone beat on. So far no complaints at all.
We have taken all the machines over all the major CO mountain passes up to 12,000'+. We load everyone up in them and go all over the place, fishing, etc. The kids absolutely love them. In fact our two oldest daughters drove them for years before they turned 16 and they both immediately felt comfortable driving cars. When all their friends were learning to drive our girls had been driving for years!
Of course there is the sticker price. I 100% agree these side by sides have gotten ridiculously expensive. We have just always bought nice slightly used machines and paid far less than sticker. These guys that will go out and spend $20k on a toy are usually the same guys that want a NEWER one in 18 months. With that being said the sticker price of a brand new Ranger EV is only $11k. I see used ones all the time for $5k. Worst possible scenario with a used EV Ranger is buying a new set of lead acid batteries for it. The people that have battery issues are using/charging incorrectly IMO.
Also IMHO the "buggy based" SXSs aren't nearly as capable, in any aspect, as the Ranger EV.
