The Brief
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Polaris’ MRZR has been named the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota for 2025.
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The contest featured 64 products, which was narrowed down through five rounds of public voting.
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Polaris’ MRZR is a versatile military vehicle used by U.S. and allied forces.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Polaris’ MRZR has been crowned as the winner of the second annual Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest.
Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota winner
The backstory
The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and BMO announced the MRZR as the winner during the 2025 Manufactures summit on Tuesday.
The second annual contest involved 64 products, which was narrowed down through five rounds of public voting. Ultimately, the MRZR came out on top for 2025.
The MRZR is described as a “versatile military vehicle with blackout lighting, collapsible roll cages for helicopter transport and enough power to run mission-critical systems,” according to a press release.
Polaris began modifying off-road vehicles for U.S. Special Forces post-9/11. The MRZR, built in Roseau, Minnesota, is known for its versatility and has been used by every U.S. military branch and over 50 allied forces.
United Stade Marine Corps (USMC) of Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (BLT 2/6), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit drives a Polaris MRZR-D near a Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion during the joint Israeli-US military “Juniper Cobra” exercise at the Tze’elim urban warfare training centre (UWTC) base in southern Israel on March 12, 2018. Exercise Juniper Cobra is a five-day combined military exercise between Israel and the United States. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
What they’re saying
“This contest captured the imagination of Minnesotans across the state, shining a spotlight on the pride we share in our manufacturers and the incredible things they build. Polaris is a spectacular reflection of that strength and ingenuity,” said Doug Loon, President and CEO of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, in a statement.
The Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest will return for its third year in 2026.
The Source
This story uses information from a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce press release.
