Usually when Brian Robinson is off on some kind of adventure on a Kawasaki, he’s doing some “Two Wheelin’.” But this week, he’s buckling up for some off-roading of a different sort!

BRIAN ROBINSON: A lot has changed since the 1980s when the original Mule showed up ready to work, essentially creating the Side-x-Side scene as we know it today. But with the Ridge, Kawasaki is looking to take things to a new plateau.

This 2024 Kawasaki Ridge is much more than just another Side-x-Side from Kawasaki. It’s the start of a whole new family of off-roaders packing some big changes, including a new engine, unique frame, and perhaps the biggest game changer of all, an available factory-installed hard cab with glass windows and full HVAC. Yes, that means no matter the elements outside, you can stay cool, calm and dry inside.

Now, the overall environment inside is still pretty utilitarian, but that also means high durability and lots of storage space; though things are certainly getting more and more car-like, especially if you opt for the available Limited trim which comes with an audio system, front and rear cameras, and even an in-dash 8-inch touchscreen with Garmin navigation.

Building on what Kawasaki has learned over more than 35 years of off-road four-wheeling, the Ridge gets a new ladder-type steel frame with high-strength steel used in critical areas. It provides a stable truck-like platform for some heavy-duty suspension hardware and a dump bed that’s rated for 1,000 lbs. There’s 12.7 inches of travel in the suspension, which is more than a standard Teryx, and as much as 14.6 inches of ground clearance.

The Ridge is available in both a standard and XR model; we got wild in West Virginia’s Hatfield McCoy trail system in an XR which features larger 30-inch tires, additional LED lighting, locking front and rear differentials, colored suspension components, and some sporty bucket seats. The XR also gets some additional power for the Ridge’s all-new liquid-cooled four-cylinder engine. This is the first Kawasaki Side-x-Side to pack an inline-four; 999 ccs of displacement, outputting 92 horsepower in the standard Ridge and 116 here in the XR, along with 74 lb-ft of torque sent through a dual-range CVT that’s been upgraded for better response and improved engine braking feel.

After a day of bombing through the backwoods while keeping the A/C cranked, it became clear that having constant-flowing cold air on a hot summer day is about more than just keeping you comfortable. It allows you to spend longer days in the seat, without being nearly as tired and worn out at the end of them, or even in need of a shower. Staying warm while doing chores in the wintertime, equally beneficial.

Now, you can get a new Ridge without the full cab, and it starts at $23,999, adding the cab takes it to $29,999; this XR HVAC starts at $31,999.

With three unique families of Side-x-Sides, Kawasaki has things covered like no one else in the industry, from diesel-powered farm hands to mini monster-truck high-performance off-roaders. This 2024 Ridge falls in the middle and is perfect for those still looking to work hard and play harder, just do it smarter.