By Jon Crowley
The Kawasaki Ridge is a recent addition to Kawasaki’s UTV lineup, aiming to bridge the gap between utility (MULE) and rec-utility (Teryx) side-by-sides. This model offers a blend of performance, comfort, and practicality, making it a noteworthy contender for those seeking premium features in the UTV market.
The Ridge Crew was just added to the lineup in 2025, with the Kawasaki Ridge XR Crew Limited HVAC as the top-tier trim in Ridge Crew’s lineup. Designed for both demanding job sites, ranches and all-day trail adventures, the XR Crew Limited comes equipped with a fully enclosed cab, automotive-style HVAC system, and seating for up to five passengers. Under the hood, it’s powered by a 999cc in-line 4-cylinder engine delivering 116 horsepower—marking a new performance benchmark for Kawasaki’s utility-focused UTVs. Whether you’re hauling gear or exploring off the beaten path, the Ridge XR Crew Limited brings a refined, comfortable ride without sacrificing capability.
I traveled to Montana to test the Kawasaki Ridge XR Crew Limited HVAC on a cold and snowy day at The Ranch at Rock Creek.
Riding in the Kawasaki Ridge XR Crew Limited HVAC at The Ranch at Rock Creek
Kawasaki Ridge Crew XR HVAC Features:
- Groundbreaking 999cc in-line 4-cylinder engine, 116 HP, 73.8 lb-ft (100 Nm) torque
- Roomy cab with up to 5-passenger seating
- Factory standard full cab with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
- 7-in full-color TFT instrumentation
- High access vehicle width (64 in)
- 14-in aluminum wheels and large 30-in tires
- 1,000-lb capacity tilting cargo bed, detachable tailgate
- Long-travel double wishbone suspension and high ground clearance
- Kawasaki Strong 3-year limited warranty
Additional Ridge XR Crew Limited HVAC Features:
- On-The-Fly electrically selectable 2WD/4WD & front/rear differential lock
- LED headlights with line-type LED position lights and accent lights
- Contoured front seats, adjustable front seats, 3-passenger contoured rear bench seating
- WARN VRX 45-S Powersport Winch
- 8-in Garmin Tread off-road navigation system and group ride radio
- Audio system with 8 speakers
- Front/rearview cameras
- Painted steel rear bumper
Performance and Engine
At the heart of the Ridge Crew XR Limited lies a 999cc inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 116 horsepower and 73 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant provides a smooth and responsive driving experience, with a top speed of approximately 74 mph. The engine’s design ensures reduced vibration and noise, contributing to a more comfortable ride.
Riding the Kawasaki Ridge XR Crew Limited HVAC at The Ranch at Rock Creek
Suspension and Handling
Equipped with stiffer suspension and 30-inch wheels, the Ridge XR offers decent ground clearance and stability. The suspension system provides 12.7 inches of travel, effectively absorbing rough terrains and ensuring a controlled ride. This setup allows for confident handling in various off-road conditions. The shock and spring package is designed to handle a load of people and cargo without making it so stiff that it is uncomfortable to drive solo.
The Kawasaki Ridge Crew’s cab feels more automotive quality than other HVAC units
Interior and Comfort
The Ridge Crew XR Limited’s cabin is designed with comfort in mind. Features include bucket seats, a well-sealed cab to minimize dust intrusion, and an HVAC system for climate control. The interior also boasts an 8-inch Garmin Tread infotainment system with GPS mapping and Bluetooth connectivity, enhancing the overall user experience. While riding in 30-degree temperatures, we used heat, which functioned very well. We did not have a chance to test the A/C.
Engine orientation with intake facing forward and exhaust towards the rear helps reduce cab heat
One thing unique to note when it comes to cab heat is the 999cc in-line 4-cylinder engine is positioned with the intake facing forward toward the cab and the exhaust facing rearward. This orientation is harder to accomplish due to header length, but greatly enhances directing heat away from the cab. A dual-wall exhaust shield helps further reduce heat transfer, keeping cab temperatures down. Additionally, a crank-driven cooling fan mounted on the right side of the engine pulls air through the engine compartment and vents it out, enhancing overall heat management.
Utility and Practicality
With a cargo bed capacity of 1,000 lbs and a towing capacity of 2,500 lbs, the Ridge XR Limited is built to handle demanding tasks. The gas-assist tilt feature of the bed facilitates easy access to the engine for maintenance. While we didn’t do much hauling in the bed, I felt like the shock package was sufficient to properly tow and haul.
The XR Limited trim level includes a 4,500-pound Warn 45-S Powersport winch as standard, providing added confidence for off-road adventures.
Trail riding with the Kawasaki Ridge XR Crew Limited HVAC
Driving Experience
On the trails, the Ridge XR Limited exhibits impressive performance. The vehicle’s stability and power delivery allow for an engaging driving experience, whether navigating twisty trails or tackling steep inclines. The inclusion of Work, Normal, and Sport power modes enables drivers to tailor the vehicle’s throttle response to their specific needs. Sport Mode definitely steps up the performance!
One thing that Kawasaki improved over the 2-seat Ridge is clutching. The Crew has a much smoother takeoff from a dead-stop and engine noise is also reduced in the cab.
Cab Noise
I have driven several UTVs with enclosed cabs and HVAC and the perception is they are all loud. Realistically, enclosed-cab UTVs aren’t any louder than open-cab UTVs, but the perception is that they are louder. I think there are two reasons for this – lack of wind noise (wind noise level cancels out some of the engine noise) and it feels like you are in a normal street vehicle which is typically much quieter inside. UTVs rev much higher than normal street vehicles and this is where the noise comes from. UTV manufacturers all need to realize that in this space, people are expecting a quieter experience and adjust the engine/transmission package to deliver this. The challenge is to produce enough torque at low RPM levels to make that happen. This is much harder to accomplish with a UTV 1,000cc engine.
That being said, the Kawasaki Ridge Crew isn’t any louder than an XPEDITION, Defender, or RANGER, but in my opinion, they all need to figure out how to lower engine noise in the cab.
Likes:
- Overall vehicle quality
- HVAC
- Automotive-inspired cab controls
- Overall cab an doors are sealed fairly well
- Doors feel solid and substantial
- 999cc in-line 4-cylinder engine produces smooth, “torquey” and very driveable power
- Garmin Tread
- Interior storage, USB and DC power outlets
Dislikes:
- Rear camera does not turn on automatically when shifting into reverse
- Would like to see the rear camera on the Garmin Tread as well
- Would like to see a top-tier trim level include performance-oriented shocks like a FOX QS3
- No rear HVAC vents for second-row passengers
The Kawasaki Ridge XR Crew Limited HVAC is right at home doing work or trail riding.
Conclusion
The Kawasaki Ridge Crew XR Limited stands out as a versatile, top-tier UTV with HVAC that combines robust performance with modern comforts. Its thoughtful design and feature set make it a strong choice for both work and recreational use, appealing to those seeking a balance between utility and sportiness in their off-road vehicle.
