Side-by-sides have increasingly become the go-to vehicle of choice for all manner of off-road shenanigans, as they're far cheaper than full-size trucks and SUVs, they're less costly to fix when damaged, and they're literally designed to do these off-road parlor tricks. I mean, you have to modify a truck or SUV to do even half of what most modern UTVs are capable of doing.
Obviously, the aftermarket for side-by-sides exists, as no one is ever satisfied with their vehicle's performance. But for the most part, you can turn up to your local dealership, plop down some cash, and run the Rubicon or through Moab's toughest trails without ever touching a thing. They're turn-key perfect.
Yet, for the most part, one specific avenue of off-roading hasn't been really touched by the UTV scene, or at least from manufacturers, and that's rock crawling.
Customers have had to rely on the aftermarket to build something that'd go toe-to-toe with your rock crawling Jeeps or purpose-built rigs, as you'd buy portal axles, beadlock rims and tires, and strengthened suspension and control arms. That, however, is changing, as not only has Can-Am introduced a rock crawler, but now so has Kawasaki with the new Teryx KRX 1000 Rock Edition. And it looks mean as hell.
Unlike Can-Am, which went with the brand's turbocharged Maverick R model for its rock crawling Maverick R X rc, Kawasaki didn't toss all its crawling goodies at the all-new Teryx H2 that blew our minds. Rather, it went for the standard Teryx KRX 1000 as its base, which the basics remaining the same. In both its standard and Rock Edition guises, the Teryx KRX 1000 is powered by a 999cc naturally aspirated parallel twin making 110 horsepower and 76 pound-feet of torque. Wheelbase also remains the same, as do most of the mechanical drivetrain bits and bobs.
Where it gets interesting is when you get to the side-by-sides' extremities.
Kawasaki widened the Teryx KRX 1000 Rock Edition by 12mm for "increased lateral stability," and tossed a set of 15-inch bead-lock wheels shod with 32-inch Maxxis Roxxzilla tires. That alone gives the Teryx KRX 1000 some serious chops over boulders and ledges, but to better increase the safety and durability of the UTV, Kawasaki also gave the Rock Edition new skid plates all around, using something called High-Molecular Weight skid plates. This 9.5mm polyethylene plate provides a low-friction surface that can handle the abuse of rocks and trails better than others, while remaining quite light compared to steel plates.
There's also suspension arm guards protecting the Fox 2.5 Podium LSC shocks with piggyback reservoirs, and a standard Warn VRX 45-S winch complete with a synthetic rope. You also get a Matte Dark Beige and Brownish Orange two-tone color scheme to match the rocks you're traversing. You only get a two-seat option, however.
As for price, Kawasaki wants a cool $25,099 for the Teryx KRX 1000 Rock Edition, which if my math is correct, is quite a lot less than Can-Am's Maverick R X rc. But it also has a hundred fewer ponies, and considerably less torque. So you have to weigh some of that in. But as a package, and something that's designed to get bumped and bruised without leaving you stranded in Hells Revenge, it's quite a thing. What do you all think?
