I was expecting the Kawasaki Ridge to make the divide between UTV and truck smaller than ever. Instead, it just made the differences between a roadgoing truck and off-road vehicles even more apparent. That doesn’t make it a disappointment; just a reminder that you need to check out a new model before getting too excited by the marketing.
I spent the day with the 2024 Kawasaki Ridge on West Virginia’s Hatfield-McCoy trail network. Just an hour from the state’s capital, the coal country trail network has over 1,000 miles of routes and 10 trailheads. Multiple trails mean many types of terrain, with different rocks and a range of surfaces from ice to mud to dust.
Add temperatures climbing and falling like the hills, and it was an ideal place to put the work and play Ridge through its paces. Plus, a good time to quiz Kawasaki’s assembled engineers on the company’s latest product.
In short: The 2024 Kawasaki Ridge offers a workhorse for those who want their saddles to be a little more fancy. But an awkward driving position and a noisy cab keep it from being as comfortable as it could be or as fun on the weekend as promised.
- Displacement: 999 cc
- Engine: Inline four-cylinder
- Drivetrain: 2/4WD, Lockable rear differential. Lockable front and rear on XR
- Front suspension: Non-branded, 12.7" travel
- Rear suspension: Non-branded, 12.7" travel
- Brakes: Dual hydraulic discs, twin-piston calipers front, single piston rear
- Wheelbase: 90.7"
- Towing capacity: 2,500 lbs.
- Cargo bed capacity: 1,000 lbs.
- Ground clearance: 13" average (14" XR)
- Dry weight: 1,808 lbs. (Ridge HVAC) (1,960 lbs. Ridge XR)
- Fuel capacity: 12.9 gals.
Pros
- Smooth engine
- Well-sealed cab
- Truck-like interior design
- Clear digital dash
- Excellent stability
Cons
- Bodywork squeaks
- Cabin noise
- Quirky engine braking
- Start-off lurching
- Cramped cabin
2024 Kawasaki Ridge Review
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New Product Line: Luxury Utility Side-by-Side
Double the Pistons, Half the Vibration
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Locked and Ready to Be Loaded
Ridge Engine Placement Helps Refinement
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High-Tech Inside, Including New App
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Kawasaki Ridge Pricing Starts at $24K
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Sealed Cabin & HVAC the Main Draw
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Rafter of Turkeys Inside
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Upright Driving Position
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Controlled, Comfortable Ride
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2024 Kawasaki Ridge Review: Conclusion
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