From sunrise prep to the final checkered flag, the 2025 Polaris Ranger 570 NorthStar made hauling camera gear and navigating a 3 km racetrack effortless—with all-weather comfort, steady performance, and space to keep your photography mission on pace.
If you ride you know how much riders like to see photographs of themselves on their bikes and more particularly, riding at a track day. It’s that one time where we get the opportunity to break the laws of speed, push our limits and capture a rare moment having the time of our lives.
As a professional sports photographer and a motorcycle enthusiast, I was delighted and conflicted to be asked to Area27 Motorsports Park for motorcycle track days. On one hand, I knew with my skill and experience, I could give riders some great imagery. On the other hand, I really wanted to get out on the track on my own bike.
If you have never been, Area27 is a three-kilometer race track hidden in the hills of Oliver, B.C. That part of the Okanagan Valley is one of Canada’s warmest communities with desert-like temperatures and arid conditions. Blistering heat. Desert Sun. Sandstorms. Torrential rain (when it does). You have to ready for anything and everything. That requires a great deal of preparation.
Lucky for me, I was able to borrow a 2025 Polaris Ranger 570 Northstar with a cargo box of 36.5″ L × 54″ W × 11.5″ H to haul all my gear (2 cameras, 3 lenses, tripod, video camera, GoPro, drone, extra batteries etc.), protection (sun block, safety vest, hat, sun umbrella), fire extinguisher, cooler, several bottles of water, clothing and anything else I thought I could possibly need.
Having the 2025 Polaris Ranger Northstar was a godsend taking me and all my gear all over the track to optimal locations I would never have been allowed to go, nor would I have attempted to hike to on foot with that much gear in the heat.
The Walk Around
At first glance, the 2025 Polaris Ranger 570 NorthStar strikes a confident balance between rugged utility and refined design. It’s built on Polaris’ proven mid-size chassis, giving it a compact yet capable footprint that’s easy to maneuver through tight trails, job sites and even the off-road course at Area27 Motorsports Park. It probably is not the first vehicle to come to mind for a photoshoot but it should be.
The signature ProShield cab system—exclusive to the NorthStar edition—sets it apart from the base 570 models. The fully enclosed cab, complete with lockable doors and durable glass windows, provides all-season protection, while the sculpted bodywork and bold front grille showcase Polaris’ modern design language.
From its LED headlights to the robust 25-inch tires on sturdy steel wheels, the Ranger 570 NorthStar looks every bit the part of a dependable workhorse ready for any environment.
Interior Styling
Step inside the NorthStar, and you’ll immediately notice how Polaris has raised the bar for comfort in a mid-size utility side-by-side. The fully enclosed cab keeps out dust, wind, and rain, making long days in harsh conditions more manageable. In the cooler temperatures you can treat yourself to heat. However, in the warm summer months, air conditioning comes in the form of open windows to let a draft go through.
The cabin’s fit and finish feel refined yet functional, with durable materials that can withstand mud and grit. A contoured bench seat offers solid support for two occupants, and there’s ample legroom even for taller riders. Practical touches—like in-cab storage compartments — emphasize Polaris’ attention to real-world usability. The controls are intuitively laid out, with clear instrumentation and a responsive digital display that keeps all key performance data front and center.
Of note, inside the cab there are four drink holders. Two up top on the dash and two down low below the bench seat. I quickly discovered that coffee belongs down below in the event of spillage driving over uneven terrain. Water or other sealed beverages go up top. If you are not packing a cooler, at least you have plenty of storage for hydration.
As the day went on, I picked up a passenger. As we navigated the terrain in the Polaris Ranger 570 Northstar, we couldn’t help but notice our attire. We were clearly dressed for function – definitely not fashion.
Power and Performance
Under the hood, the Ranger 570 NorthStar carries Polaris’ legendary ProStar 570 engine, a 567cc single-cylinder four-stroke that delivers smooth, reliable power. With roughly 44 horsepower on tap, the Ranger 570 feels lively and responsive, whether you’re hauling gear, transporting riders across a heated parking lot, or simply beelining across the grassland before the lap opens.
The On-Demand True AWD system automatically engages all four wheels when extra traction is needed, switching back to 2WD for efficiency when conditions improve. This feature became apparent when I crossed through the off-road academy track full of rock features and steep inclines to get a particular vantage point.
Suspension travel in the Ranger 570 is generous for its class—over 9 inches up front and 10 inches in the rear—offering a composed ride even over uneven ground. Combined with 10.5 inches of ground clearance, the Ranger 570 NorthStar made the off-road academy track look easy.
Despite its work-oriented nature, the Ranger 570 NorthStar delivers an impressively smooth ride. The cab’s insulation helps dampen engine noise (but with the windows wide open it tends to be a little loud), while the responsive throttle and predictable handling make it as enjoyable to drive as it is capable.
The 2025 Polaris Ranger 570 NorthStar stands out as one of the most versatile and comfortable mid-size UTVs in its segment. This little workhorse is perfect for photographers that need to cover a lot of ground with a lot of gear.
