Kawasaki Introduces New Side-by-Side

PHOENIX (DTN) -- Known in the four-wheeling community as a dependable, if not altogether sporty off-road workhorse, Kawasaki's Mule has served the hauling and off-road needs of the farming and ranching community since 1988. In mid-2023, Kawasaki even upsized the Mule's powerplant with a 999cc, parallel twin engine, giving birth to the new Mule Pro series.

This week, Kawasaki went one more -- a big step more -- introducing its all-new Ridge series of side-by-sides. Ridge is a solid performance step up from Mule, but it does not ignore all the work performance features that made the Mule so valuable to its operators.

Beginning this spring and with 2025 models coming this fall, Kawasaki will be moving seven new versions of its all-new Ridge line: the more utility-minded Ridge (92 horsepower) and sportier Ridge XR (116 horsepower). But don't get these two confused by their differing horsepower ratings. They are both capable, with electric power, tilt steering, and fast. Kawasaki rates maximum Ridge speed at 70ish mph. That seems possible: On a short straightaway, this perhaps more conservative driver hit 50 mph.

Ridge's 999cc, four-cylinder, in-line engines, with rubber engine mounts, are tuned for work and off-road sport, or in between. Drivers get to choose between three performance settings: work (more mild throttle response for tasks needing a smooth, constant pace), sport (sharper throttle response) and normal (a little of work and a little of sport).

The engine is complemented by a continuously variable transmission for smooth and even response. The CVT gives drivers engine braking for improved downhill control, too. Ridge also boasts on-the-fly electrically selectable two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and rear differential lock.

Ridge carries 13 gallons of fuel in the tank and has a Mule-like load capacity. The gas-assisted tilting cargo bed, which measures 35 by 49 by 12.8 inches, holds 1,000 pounds. And the Ridge tows 2,000 pounds with a 2-inch receiver. The Ridge itself is 64 inches wide and has a wheelbase of 90.7 inches. Its ladder-type frame is made of square steel tubes.

Most prominently -- and much appreciated in the Ridge rollout at Phoenix's unexpectedly wet and muddy Wild Horse Pass raceway -- is Kawasaki's factory-installed HVAC cabs. The Ridge Limited and Ridge XR have heated and cooled, fully enclosed cabs with glass windshields and glass rear windows, plus power door windows. A single wiper clears away mud and rain from the windshield.

And since we're in the mud, Ridge's 27-inch, six-ply tires (30-inch, eight-ply on Ridge XR), adjustable shocks, up to 14.5 inches of ground clearance (Ridge XR) and 12.7 inches of long wheel travel front and back dug deep into and out of the Wild Horse's sharp turns and banks.

The Ridge has automotive-like finishes and features outside with painted fenders and all-LED lighting. The front wheel wells are more open than might be expected. But Kawasaki gave them a beveled feature to deflect mud and debris, a helpful design detail born out on the muddy and deeply rutted track. The wheel wells are made from steel rather than plastic.

The Ridge is currently offered with space for two passengers, who sit nicely hugged by bucket seats, or three passengers seated on a bench seat, the last with storage underneath the passenger side of the bench and fold-down backrest with tray and cupholders when the center seating space is unoccupied.

Kawasaki is tight-lipped about a two-row, four-passenger version of the Ridge. But it wouldn't be too surprising for such a version to roll out of Kawasaki's Nebraska or Mexico plants in the not-too-distant future.

The dash has extra storage and air vents, but most prominently a 7-inch, full-color LCD screen with selectable display modes that show functions such as speedometer, tach, fuel gauge, driving mode and CVT temp, among others. The Ridge has Bluetooth capability.

The Ridge Limited includes an 8-inch Garmin Tread off-road navigation system as standard equipment.

To operate the Garmin and other available electronics, Ridge sports a 1,120-watt generator to provide power for heating/air, ventilation and other accessories.

Kawasaki has not released all its pricing information for the Ridge line. But to suggest a range, the Ridge Ranch edition (available now) has an MSRP of $23,999. The Ridge Limited carries an MSRP of $33,499. The Ridge XR HVAC available this spring has not been priced as of Jan. 26.

For a video tour of the new Ridge side-by-side models, visit https://www.dtnpf.com/….

For more information on the Ridge, go to www.kawasaki.com.

Dan Miller can be reached at dan.miller@dtn.com.

Follow him on X @DMillerPF.

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