2024 Kawasaki Ridge VS Ridge XR Test Review

Disappointing the hvac in Canada no gps and as far as I know no winch. Now I’m back looking at Polaris and defender. Kawasaki. DO BETTER!

Hello, Are you interested in testing our products? We would like to invite you to test the Soft Upper Door for your 2014 or 2016 Polaris RZR XP 1000 2 seater

I want a 3 seater with 116 hp, the stereo and big screen!
Kawasaki should also have 30inch tires on all models and arched a-arms.

This was a great, hugely informative review. I have a RZR for pure rec/sport riding, an RMAX as my "do-all" fair weather machine, and I've now pre-ordered the Ridge HVAC for a more utility-focused role around the farm, especially for rainy, cold days, or when there is not quite enough snow for the snowmobiles. I'm looking forward to the bench seats, so that I can bring my dog along (wife in passenger seat and dog in the middle). I have been eyeing the Ranger Northstar Editions and the Defender Limited HVAC models, but I'd prefer a Japanese brand for this purpose, favouring reliability over performance. I pick it up in May!

Great review. I ordered one :) . The one thing I am wishing it had was Turf mode like it's more UTE competitors. Do you think I will have a problem ripping turf on my 7.5 acre property?

Wish it was a four-seater. Just sold my Teryx i want something that has AC. This would have been perfect if it was a 4-seater.

Eh
I’ll keep my Rmax, don’t see how it’s better in any way

Kawasaki may say this is a sport utility, but we're used to Kawasaki completely ignoring industry standard definitions such as the humongous KRX 'Trail Edition'. 13.6" ground clearance at MAX spring preload. Who does that? What's the ground clearance at NORMAL preload like everyone else uses?

Kawasaki has created a new class of SxS we shall call Sport Farm class, with decent HP numbers, column-mounted shifter, and bench seats with dismal suspension travel numbers. The bucket seats on the higher trim model don't fool me. It still screams Ranger wannabe.

I don't see a single review with the Ridge on anything but groomed trails. Kawasaki's release video is laughable when you look at the course it was driven on. The redneck commercial where it stops in front of a fallen tree and they cut it up for firewood........all the competition would simply have driven over it because they have decent suspension travel.

I'm not knocking the Ridge for what it is. I'm knocking it for what it claims to be. It's competition for the Ranger and Defender Rec/Utes and not anything in the Sport/Rec Class.

The interior looks sweet. Definitely more comfortable and nicer than my X3

How is it sport utility with suspension like a utility vehicle?

Great comprehensive review. Kawi did their homework and there's a lot to like about the Ridge. If you compare the dimensions, they're almost identical in size to a Can Am Defender. The Ridge HVAC is priced within a few hundred of the Defender Limited with heat and AC. I like that they drive and handle like the Commander/General class but have more cargo and interior space. The 4-cylinder engine, 3-year warranty are icing on the cake, and I agree the metal wheel wells are a practical safety feature all SxS makers should adopt. The interior quality and thoughtful touches like the large climate knobs and the huge bright instrument cluster will force Can Am and Polaris to up their game. Competition is a good thing.

4 cylinder!!!!!!!!! jeeez should be fun!

It reminds me of the Arctic Cat Havoc side by side.

Love the looks of the Ridge inside and out also love that smooth 4cyl...however from what I've seen so far the Ridge revs way to high and like other Kawasakis in the past it's going to have clutch issues...the Ridge XR revs 8300rpm's at 57mph so that means the clutch is fully closed at around 40mph on up and that's going to cause premature wear...Kawai done such a great job design wise just wish they'd have done something with the clutching for the Ridge not to rev so high.

So how does the ridge compare to the new mule 1000?

After all the hype, we were excited to see what the new Kawasaki Ridge and Ridge XR were all about. Can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts, opinions and questions in the comments.