The Kawasaki Ridge Offers Luxury in a UTV

Bigger and better are normal steps in the progression of just about anything, and the utility vehicle (UTV) market is no different, with one notable caveat. UTVs keep getting bigger, keep getting better, and they definitely also keep getting fancier and more luxurious. That was clear this spring as Kawasaki rolled out its latest offering for a group of reporters in the Montana mountains.

The Kawasaki Ridge Crew was put to the test in early March at The Ranch at Rock Creek, near Philipsburg, rolling over trails, through mud and up mountains, and it passed every test with ease and comfort. But, the mere existence of such a machine and its accompanying price tag, approaching $40,000, prompts questions about just how luxurious a true UTV experience can be.

STRETCHING OUT

The Ridge was first introduced in early 2024, and now the Japanese manufacturer has introduced a two-row version of the vehicle, tagging "Crew" on to signify it can haul as many as six occupants.

The Crew, compared to the one-row Ridge, is longer in the frame by 31.5 inches and has a strengthened frame and improved brakes and suspension. The 4-cylinder Crew machine comes in two models with increasing price tags and feature lists, the Ridge Crew and Ridge XR Crew, which tops out with an even more option-heavy Limited version. The prices range from $30,999 on the low end to $38,099 on the high. The more expensive models have higher horsepower (116 compared to 92 hp), larger wheels and variations in the seating, grill, bumper, taillights and differential lock, as well as 1.6 inches greater ground clearance.

Kawasaki arranged for many of those capabilities to be put to the test in a series of activities in Montana using the Limited model.

The HVAC system kept the cabin toasty in variable spring conditions. Crank the heat to high, and it feels like it could thaw a rancher on the coldest of mornings as quickly as a truck.

That cabin is the heart of what Kawasaki was aiming for with this latest Ridge Crew, as well as last year's Ridge, and what sets the line apart from the two other product lines the company has, the Mule, geared more toward utility, and the Teryx, aimed at sport and recreation. Ridge slots in the middle of those in terms of capability. It has a bed, unlike the Teryx, for instance. Kawasaki is betting big that the fully enclosed cab with an HVAC system will find a market sweet spot.

"First off, they're looking for luxury and that it has comfort across all seasons," explains Tomi Lutz, product manager for Kawasaki, envisioning the Ridge Crew customer. "Second, they want to share that experience with their family and friends, whether that's off-roading, whether that's doing jobs. They want to be able to do it as a crew. Third is versatility. They want something that can do some light utility but also be able to be recreational friendly. Lastly, they're looking for a quality-driven experience. They're a little more affluent buyer that's willing to pay up for that brilliant experience."

MOUNTAIN TEST

The machine proved plenty capable in its Montana tests.

At one point, the bed was stacked full of small hay bales. It'll fit at least three.

Kawasaki claims a 1,000-pound capacity to the bed as gas-assist, single-lever operation for help dumping. There's a 2-inch hitch below the gate for towing with a 2,500-pound capacity.

The 4-wheel-drive and 2-wheel-drive options were complemented by three driving modes on the machine and all capable of handling the sloshy spring mix on the ground. A snowplow demonstration worked well, and a front winch easily moved a fallen tree.

The Crew is also well-equipped to meet modern-day expectations, sporting front and rear 12-volt DC power outlets, as well as four total USB outlets. In the XR Crew, there's an 8-inch Garmin Tread navigation and infotainment system.

TIGHTENING UP

A handful of areas exist where the Ridge still had room for refinement. The rear doors on each side were installed as suicide doors, making getting people or equipment in and out of the back awkward. Then, some of the integration of the extra features packed into the XR version wasn't seamless. That trim level includes front and rear cameras, but they're only accessible on the driver's-side dash screen behind the steering wheel, not the 8-inch Garmin screen in the center of the vehicle like the camera feed would be on a truck. Further, the back camera is notably off-center, making backing up less than natural. Finally, the video feed doesn't automatically pop up when shifting into reverse and must be selected via a menu.

FITTING IN

Beyond those smaller issues, any machine like the Ridge Crew is one of compromise. The market asks for both comfort and the UTV form factor, and those don't always align. The same goes for a machine that can be used on the farm and the trail. For instance, Kawasaki went to great pains to keep its Ridge line of machines within 64 inches wide, the limit for use on some trails.

But, that demands compromises, especially when into those 64 inches you load two farmers and a center console with room for a pair of Yeti tumblers (or even a third farmer, if they're all willing to leave the tumblers at home). It's not uncomfortable. The seats, even sitting three across, offer more width than the seats in the economy section of most airliners. But, there's simply not room for, say, an armrest along the door.

The Ridge Crew may have the finest interior finishing of any UTV on the market right now. The doors shut tight. The sound in the cab is manageable. The plastic molded dash fits tight, and there are no extra rattles. It offers a smooth ride even in rough terrain. However, it's not "truck comfort" because it's not a truck. There aren't vinyl and leather finishes because the cab is designed to be washed out with a hose.

The whole thing can fit down those 64-inch-wide trails. But, with the windows up, there's not a place for one's arm, which can feel a little awkward in a machine where the costs are approaching that of a truck.

As manufacturers continue to ramp up the "luxury" in the UTV market, the absence of some comforts starts to be more noticeable. Then again, those expectations are likely already baked in when it comes to buying a machine like the Ridge Crew, one that very much delivers on its promises to tackle work and trail, and do so comfortably in any weather.

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