Polaris Sportsman 500 specifications
Polaris · Utility
The following ride report concerns an earlier Sportsman 500 H.O.; its impressions do not establish how a current 850 rides. ATV Illustrated wrote that a few newer competitors excel in one area or another. But the Sportsman 500 H.O. delivers a comfortable ride in an easy-to-handle package at an attractive price, calls its suspension action very plush, and describes the large seat as comfortable and soft enough for all-day rides.
Polaris Sportsman 500
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2027 |
| Engine | ProStar 4-stroke SOHC single cylinder, 33 hp |
| Displacement | 499cc |
| Bore x stroke | 3.66 in x 2.9 in (93 mm x 73.6 mm) |
| Compression ratio | 10:1 |
| Transmission | Automatic PVT P/R/N/L/H inline shifting |
| Drive system | All-wheel drive with auto-locking front drive |
| Front suspension | Sealed MacPherson strut with 8.2 in travel |
| Rear suspension | Sealed Dual A-arm, IRS 9.5 in Travel |
| Front brake | Single lever, 3-wheel hydraulic disc with hydraulic rear foot brake |
| Front tire | 26x8-14; Duro |
| Rear tire | 26x10-14; Duro |
| Wheels | 14 in aluminum |
| Seat height | 33.25 in |
| Wheelbase | 50.5 in |
| Ground clearance | 11.5 in |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 gal |
| Towing capacity | 1,350 lb |
| Starting MSRP | $6,999 |
| Destination charge | $700 |
| Class | Utility |
| Fuel system / battery | Electronic fuel injection / 340 CCA |
| Estimated dry weight | 773 lb |
| Payload capacity | 485 lb |
| Winch | 2,500 LB Winch with steel cable |
| Cargo system | Lock & Ride-compatible 5 gal (18.9L) front dry storage, Front rack tie-downs |
| Hitch | Standard 1.25 in receiver |
What the 500 line is known for
ATVpedia sums the 2027 machine up as making the most sense for a landowner or casual trail rider who values clearance, towing and included work equipment more than speed. That fits the spec sheet: the factory 2,500 lb winch and auto-locking front drive are the work equipment, and 33 hp is not a performance number.
Where owners go for help
Polaris owner forums such as the QuadCrazy Polaris forum are full of threads on electrical faults, power-steering problems, overheating and belt repairs, and one recent thread asks for help with an engine stalling on a 2021 Sportsman. Forum volume reflects the number of machines out there, not the failure rate. But they are a good place to search a specific symptom before paying for a diagnosis.
Polaris · Utility
The 2027 Polaris Sportsman 500 is a 499cc ProStar single-cylinder utility ATV rated at 33 hp, with auto-locking front drive, a 2,500 lb winch, 90 lb and 180 lb racks and a 1,350 lb tow rating. It weighs an estimated 773 lb dry and has a 33.25 in seat. It starts at $6,999 MSRP, per Polaris.
What the 500 line is known for.
The reviews on file are of earlier 500 H.O. machines, which share the platform's character. ATV Illustrated wrote that a few newer competitors excel in one area or another. But the Sportsman 500 H.O. delivers a comfortable ride in an easy-to-handle package at an attractive price, calls its suspension action very plush, and describes the large seat as comfortable and soft enough for all-day rides.
The reviewer also observed that nearly all the Sportsmans they had seen were abused occasionally, some with owners ignoring maintenance entirely, yet the machine was always ready for more. A specifications review says the independent suspension gives a smooth ride and the seating position allows long rides, and cautions that heavy loads or a passenger cut acceleration and top speed.
Who it is for
ATVpedia sums the 2027 machine up as making the most sense for a landowner or casual trail rider who values clearance, towing and included work equipment more than speed. That fits the spec sheet: the factory 2,500 lb winch and auto-locking front drive are the work equipment, and 33 hp is not a performance number.
Where owners go for help
Polaris owner forums such as the QuadCrazy Polaris forum are full of threads on electrical faults, power-steering problems, overheating and belt repairs, and one recent thread asks for help with an engine stalling on a 2021 Sportsman. Forum volume reflects the number of machines out there, not the failure rate. But they are a good place to search a specific symptom before paying for a diagnosis.
Sportsman 500 against the Foreman and Brute Force 450.
Honda's Foreman 4x4 and Kawasaki's Brute Force 450 4x4 are the closest rivals in size and job. The Honda is lighter on paper at 635 lb, and both have published prices, which the Polaris does not yet.
Kawasaki Brute Force 450 4x4; 443cc; 688.0 lb; 1,050 lb; $6,899.
2027 Polaris Sportsman 500 questions
How much does the 2027 Polaris Sportsman 500 cost?
It starts at $6,999 MSRP, per Polaris' 2027 lineup announcement, with a $700 destination charge on top, and it began shipping to dealers in September 2026. That puts it in the value tier below the Sportsman 450 H.O., so compare it with the Foreman and Brute Force 450.
What does the Polaris Sportsman 500 come with?
Polaris lists a 33 hp 499cc single, auto-locking front drive, a 2,500 lb winch, 14 in aluminum wheels with 26 in Duro tires, 90 lb front and 180 lb rear racks and a 1,350 lb tow rating.
Other models in this reference: Polaris Sportsman 570 and 600, Polaris Sportsman 6x6 600.