Kawasaki’s Ridge Sport Utility Lineup Has More Power, More Torque, And HVAC

Summary

• 2024 Kawasaki Ridge Limited combines utility features with comfort and technology. HVAC system ensures comfort in any weather. High-end features like a winch and navigation system.
• Ridge Limited has a 999cc DOHC 16V inline-4 engine, providing 92 HP and 66 LB-FT of torque. Smooth and powerful performance with excellent handling and off-road credentials.
• The Ridge Limited has a fully enclosed cab with adjustable bucket seats. Cargo bed could be larger, but overall, it offers HVAC comfort, a powerful engine, and a 3-year standard warranty.

• 	2024 Kawasaki Ridge Limited	2024 Kawasaki Ridge XR HVAC
  Model	Ridge Limited	Ridge XR HVAC
  MSRP	$23,999	TBA
  MSRP (As Tested)	$33,499	TBA
  Engine:	999cc DOHC 16V Inline-4	999cc DOHC 16V Inline-4
  Horsepower	92 HP	116 HP
  Torque	66 LB-FT	74 LB-FT
  Transmission	Continuously Variable / Centrifugal Clutch	Continuously Variable / Centrifugal Clutch
  Driveline	2/4WD Shaft	2/4WD Shaft
  Towing Capacity	2,000 LBS	2,000 LBS
  Payload Capacity	1,499 LBS	1,499 LBS

Kawasaki released the first Multi-Use Light Equipment vehicle in 1988; the original MULE was a rugged, minimalist work-horse, equally at home on a sprawling ranch or a construction site. Its design and features focused on maximizing its utilitarian capabilities – get the job done – nothing more, and nothing less. The MULE was a recipe for success and spawned a new market that has been evolving ever since.

Thanks to their versatility, side-by-sides have become the go-to runaround in many parts of rural America, where state and local authorities have passed laws allowing suitably equipped UTVs to use secondary public roads. Not just for hauling people, tools, and cargo across fields and job sites, UTVs are increasingly employed for the daily milk run, visiting neighbors, and enjoying the outdoors. So why not stay dry and warm (or cool) in the process?

Eager to stay abreast of the market they helped pioneer, Kawasaki has developed its new range of Ridge sport utility side-by-sides to offer exceptional performance and comfort without compromising their utilitarian capabilities. The Ridge lineup delivers the practicality of its MULE range for work duty, with enough performance to make them fun on the trails and the refinement expected from a daily runabout. The standard Ridge models have a starting MSRP of $23,999, while the more powerful Ridge XR’s price range is still under wraps.

In order to provide you with an honest and unbiased review, the vehicle reviewed in this article was driven on a daily basis throughout the course of daily life for a period of one week. For detailed insight into testing procedures and data collection, please review our methodology policy.

2024 Kawasaki Ridge And Ridge XR First Impressions

TopSpeed was invited to Firebird Motorsports Park in Phoenix, Arizona, to test drive the new Ridge side-by-sides ahead of their imminent release. The standard lineup includes three models: The entry-level, open cab Ridge Ranch, the fully enclosed Ridge HVAC, and our test ride, the premium equipped Ridge Limited, with an MSRP of $33,499. The Limited is finished in Metallic Shadow Gold and gets a fully enclosed cab with HVAC and equipment features, including a Warn winch, an 8-inch Garmin navigation system, a four-speaker entertainment system, and front and rear view cameras, handy for lining up trailers and snow plows.

We also drove the Ridge XR HVAC model, the first release in what will become a three-model XR lineup. In addition to the more powerful engine tune, the XR edition gets a slightly beefier wheel and tire combination, adding an inch of clearance and a more rugged appearance. Otherwise, the two models share the same platform. The XR HVAC’s fully enclosed, temperature-controlled cab also gets adjustable bucket seats instead of a three-seat bench. The XR is available in two sporty color schemes: Ice Gray with lime green accents or Metallic Graystone with red accents. The Ridge Ranch is already in dealerships, but expect the Limited edition and the first XR models sometime this Spring.

The Ridge range of side-by-sides receives styling more aligned with the sporty side of utility. The raised air-intake grille adds aggressive angles to the short hood, and narrow LED lights, with DRL, make for an aggressive facade. The tall cab offers plenty of headroom, and the windshield has a defined rake, adding to its sporting presence. At the rear, a tippable bed offers 13 square feet of cargo space. Tall shocks and rugged mud tires provide plenty of ground clearance and promise excellent off-road capability, something we would test to the full, thanks to some untimely rain over Phoenix.

Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

The comparative benefits of an inline-four are apparent the moment you drive the Ridge. The utility class of side-by-sides is typically run on twin- and triple-cylinder engines, and Kawasaki is the first to adopt a four-cylinder unit. It claims the liquid-cooled 999cc engine produces 92 horsepower in the standard Ridge and 116 in the XR, six more than the 1,500cc triple driving the Polaris XD. The Ridge produces a peak torque of 66 pound-feet, and the XR edition produces 74. Aside from its abundant performance, the inline-four is exceptionally smooth, and the cab is surprisingly quiet at idle.

The engine drives all four wheels via a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and centrifugal clutch, which also facilitates engine braking when coming off the gas pedal. The Ridge has a forward gear with high and low ratios and a reverse gear. Three power modes, Normal, Sport, and Work, use different maps to manage throttle inputs. Sport mode enhances throttle response for better acceleration, while Work mode softens the engine’s response to inputs for more precise maneuvering. Two- and four-wheel drive modes are selectable on the fly along with the diff-locks. The Ridge gets rear differential locking, while the XR has lockers fore and aft.

Thanks to a downpour the day before our arrival, the test track Kawasaki’s PR team had conceived to offer a range of off-road conditions was probably muddier and more challenging than they might have expected. Nevertheless, I tested both the Ridge Limited and XR HVAC models in four-wheel drive, and both made short work of the most sloppy sections of the track, plowing through the quagmire without requiring a switch to low gear or locking off the differentials. Traveling at 50 MPH on the track’s only dry and straight section, the Ridge felt planted and composed. Engine braking was somewhat softer than expected, but the disc brakes provided adequate stopping power.

The Ridge platform utilizes an independent double-wishbone suspension design using gas-charged shocks with electronically adjustable preload and 12.7 inches of travel. The Limited’s staggered 27-inch wheels offer 13 inches of ground clearance, and the XR, with its 30-inch wheels, offers 14. The speed-sensitive dynamic power steering was particularly light when moving slowly without becoming twitchy at speed, adding to the Ridge’s on- and off-road versatility. The handling is excellent, and the Ridge’s suspension offers a good balance between capability and comfort. Testing it in a soft off-camber corner, the Ridge responded with assured stability.

Performance Specifications

Interior Design And Comfort

The Ridge’s interior is fashioned from practical, durable, weatherproof plastic but has the familiar refinements and controls you might expect in a pickup. The full-color TFT instrument panel includes a digital speedometer, tachometer, and a full suite of gauges and warning lamps. The truck credentials continue with power windows, a proper dash-mounted gear shifter, a hand brake, and a centralized HVAC control panel, managing heat and air-conditioning through multiple vents.

A tilt-adjustable steering wheel combines with a fore and aft adjustable driver’s seat to accommodate owners of all sizes. The Limited model’s bench seats are comfortable enough but lack side support when tackling rough terrain. Both of the slightly more supportive ‘bucket’ seats on the two-person XR HVAC were adjustable, and, in place of the central bench seat, a center console provided additional cupholders and storage.

The Ridge’s raised air intake funnels air into the engine from the driver’s side, enabling Kawasaki to mount the exhaust headers on the forward-facing side of the transversely mounted engine, which helps keep the ROPS-equipped cab cool. Nevertheless, it was a chilly day in Phoenix, and the heating system quickly warmed the interior. The finishing on the Ridge Limited and XR HVAC models aims them squarely at the higher end of the market.

Technology And Ease Of Use

All the Ridge models offer Bluetooth Smartphone Connectivity through Kawasaki’s Rideology app, and power and USB sockets for charging accessories. All-around LED lights and an optional lightbar are stylish and practical, as are the back-lit dash switches. In addition to the color TFT instrument display, our Limited edition test ride came equipped with an eight-inch Garmin Tread navigation system, ideal for on- and off-road driving.

Hauling And Utilities

The Ridge can tow loads of up to 2,000 pounds. Its 38 by 49-inch hydraulically assisted dump bed is a little shorter than most of its class rivals but capable of hauling up to 1,000 pounds. Both the Ridge Limited we tested and the entry-level Ranch model come with a factory-fitted, dash-controlled, 4,500-pound Warn 45-S Powersport winch. On the fly, dash selectable diff-locks help keep Kawasaki’s new side-by-side moving in challenging conditions.

The 2024 Kawasaki Ridge and Ridge XR Vs Its Competitors

Kawasaki’s Ridge range joins a growing market of powerful, capable, and practical UTVs, including Can-Am’s Defender, Yamaha’s Wolverine, Honda’s Pioneer, and the Polaris Ranger. Like the Ridge, some offer swanky enclosed cabs, full HVAC capability, 30-inch wheels, over 100 horsepower, and similar performance, but few offer them all in one package. The Ridge and Ridge XR lines include open cab options for its more utility-focused customers. Nevertheless, Kawasaki’s new side-by-sides have set their sites on the growing demand for more refined UTVs with HVAC and amenities.

How The Kawasaki Ridge Limited Compares To The Can-Am Defender Limited

The Ridge Limited goes up against Can-Am’s Rotax V-twin-powered Defender Limited. Both models offer well-appointed, ROPS-approved cabs with HVAC, color TFT displays, a fore and aft adjustable driver’s seat with tilt adjustable steering, and a convertible bench seat for up to three passengers. The Ridge offers more suspension travel and ground clearance and ten additional horsepower. The models share similar torque figures and 30-inch tires, and both come equipped with a factory-fitted winch. The Can-Am’s bed is five inches longer, but its V-twin is less refined than Kawasaki’s super smooth inline-four. The Kawasaki costs $3,500 more but includes a three-year warranty, while the Can-Am Defender’s warranty runs out after 12 months.

• 	2024 Kawasaki Ridge Limited	2024 Can-Am Defender Limited
  Model	Ridge Limited	Defender Limited
  Engine:	999cc DOHC 16V Inline-4	976cc Liquid-Cooled Rotax V-Twin
  Torque	66 LB-FT	69 LB-FT
  Transmission	Continuously Variable / Centrifugal Clutch	Belt-Driven Continuously Variable
  Driveline	2/4WD Shaft	2/4WD Shaft
  MSRP	$23,999	$29,899
  Towing Capacity	2,000 LBS	2,500 Pounds
  Payload Capacity	1,499 LBS	1,200 Pounds
  Horsepower	92 HP	82 HP

How The Kawasaki Ridge XR HVAC Compares To The Polaris Ranger XD 1500 Northstar

In the world of sporting UTVs, Polaris’s Ranger XD 1500 Northstar Premium edition, with its 1,498cc inline-triple, ranks among the best. The XD 1500 Northstar has one of the biggest UTV beds available, with a 1,500-pound capacity and electronic dumping, and can tow up to 3,500 pounds. While the XD’s huge triple develops considerably more torque, it is over 400 pounds heavier than the more powerful Ridge XR. The Ridge offers slightly more suspension travel with bigger tires and both models enjoy well-appointed cabs with HVAC. The Ranger XD’s $39,999 price tag includes additional features such as an overhead switch panel and a 7,500-pound winch. We expect the Kawasaki Ridge XR’s pricing to land nearer the $30,000 mark. Kawasaki’s three-year warranty eclipses the 12 months offered by Polaris.

• 	2024 Kawasaki Ridge XR HVAC	2024 Polaris Ranger XD 1500 Northstar Premium
  Model	Ridge XR HVAC	Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Premium
  Engine:	999cc DOHC 16V Inline-4	1498cc Liquid-Cooled Inline-Three
  Torque	74 LB-FT	105 LB-FT
  Transmission	Continuously Variable / Centrifugal Clutch	Steel Belt-Driven Continuously Variable
  Driveline	2/4WD Shaft	2/4WD Shaft
  MSRP	TBA	$39,999
  Towing Capacity	2,000 LBS	3,500 Pounds
  Payload Capacity	1,499 LBS	1,705 Pounds
  Horsepower	116 HP	110 HP

Should You Buy The Kawasaki Ridge and Ridge XR?

UTV owners looking for a bare-bones utility vehicle have numerous options from which to choose, but only a few offer heating and air-conditioning in their fully closed cab models, and only Kawasaki offers a four-cylinder engine with HVAC. While the Ridge Limited is at the higher end of the luxury UTV price range, it boasts an excellent package of refinements, features, and performance, making it one of the most versatile on the market.

The Ridge XR would benefit from a slighter larger bed, which, given its performance, is inexplicably short. Otherwise, there is very little to fault. The larger, heavier Polaris can boast hauling and towing figures that would make some pick-ups blush (looking at you Ford Raptor), but its forty-grand price tag will not align with many UTV budgets, and the Ranger XD’s triple is not as refined as the Ridge’s inline-four. Kawasaki’s Ridge UTVs have set a new bar in performance and refinement backed by one of the best warranties available.