Today's truck market is, well, insane. Even something like my Honda Ridgeline is nearing $50,000, and there are those who wouldn't even consider it a truck. And that's largely because full-size and heavy-duty trucks cost so freakin' much to buy, maintain, and fix when things go badly.
It's honestly no wonder that more and more counties and states across the country are implementing new road-legal laws surrounding side-by-sides. It's more cost-effective for those who are needing something like a truck for farm, ranch, or outfitter work.
But as truck prices seemingly don't have any signs of coming back to Earth, that's left a gap in the market that a utility side-by-side can fill, especially one as capable as the 2025 Kawasaki Ridge Crew, a four- to six-person UTV that's as capable as your 1995 Ford Ranger, built tougher than that OG work truck, and won't put you in the poor house if you throw a full grown elk into the back of it.
At least that's my thoughts after thoroughly putting it through its paces at the Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana last month.
My day consisted of a full-blown snowstorm, a plow demonstration, stacking a handful of hay bales in the bed (not the best way to test its payload rating, TBH), and driving it through some seriously rutted, snowy terrain as we tracked a herd of elk along the spine of some mountains—I wish I had the Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT in 7 PRC I'm building with me that'll be featured in these very pages next month.
We also employed its standard Warn winch, and used its awesome HVAC system, which I cannot overstate how nice it is. Seriously, when the temperatures kept fluctuating between bitter cold to whiteout conditions, then properly sunny, all within a few hours of each other, having the ability to close the windows, use defrost, and turn up the heat felt like a godsend to those who have to go into the elements day in and day out.
Full stop, if I were working outside every day, I wouldn't have purchased my Can-Am Maverick X3 Max, but instead something with a freakin' enclosed cab. But enough written words, click the video above to hear me talk more about the new 2025 Kawasaki Ridge Crew, what's offered, what's available, and more about what I think of the new side-by-side.
