DEC 2022. Blues Vol 38 No. 12

THE OPEN ROAD by Michael

THE OPEN ROAD by Michael Barron Best Side-by-Side UTVs: 14 Kickass Rides for 2022 Are you ready to boost over sand dunes, peel through mud, and explore some of the world’s toughest trails? Looking for an easier way to get into the backcountry, or just feed your friends a face full of dirt? Sounds like you need seat time in side-by-side UTVs, the ultimate outdoor vehicles. The only hard part is sussing out the best sport side-bysides—there are a ton of great models to choose from. To guide your search, we’ve rounded up our favorite side-by-side UTVs of 2022. Any of these fourwheeled beasts will satisfy your off-road appetite. These offroad vehicles offer plenty of ground clearance and throttle response when mudding—plus some even offer Ride Command, an integrated in-vehicle communication system so you can speak to passengers without getting drowned out. 1. POLARIS RZR PRO R ULTIMATE As far as halo products go, look no further than the 74” wide open-stance RZR Pro R Ultimate. Sure, you’ll pony up roughly the price of a new Jaguar XF, but instead of driving your luxury midsize to the town bingo hall, you’ll be powering through trails in Polaris’ high performing desert and dune master. A 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve engine delivers 225 horsepower and features a naturally aspirated design for cooler temps and improved reliability. It also comes with Dynamix DV advanced suspension control with modes for Rock, Comfort, Track, and Baja— all controlled via a glove-friend- ly seven-inch touchscreen display. Want to crank some music? A Rockford Fosgate high-output system ensures that everyone will hear you. To really amp up the mean look, get yours in Stealth Black. [Starting at ,699; rzr.polaris.com] 2. KAWASAKI TERYX KRX 1000 ES Kawasaki didn’t mess around (except in the dirt, mud, rocks, and dunes) when it developed the new Teryx KRX 1000 eS. It comes with upgrades like shift-onthe-fly electronic four-wheel drive and a locking front differential, continuously variable transmission with centrifugal clutch, and the brand’s own electronically controlled suspension. It’s powered by a 999cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine for performance that’ll really blow your hair back. [Starting at ,199; kawasaki.com] 3. ZFORCE 950 H.O. SPORT 4. POLARIS RZR XP 1000 Polaris claims the RZR XP 1000 Sport is the industry’s best-selling performance side-byside UTV. It certainly has plenty of oomph: Owners can enjoy 110 horsepower from a 999cc twin-cylinder engine. Rocks, roots, sand, and mud are no match for this rig’s 20 inches of usable suspension travel and Walker Evans Needle Shocks. Instrumentation combines analog dials with a four-inch LCD Rider Information Center. The head-turning Indy Red colorway (shown above) comes with the Premium model. [Starting at ,899; rzr.polaris.com] The ZFORCE 950 H.O. Sport side-by-side from CFMO- TO is built to handle the rocky trails you crave without devouring your paycheck. A 963cc V-twin delivers 90 horsepower, and the Quadlink rear suspension includes adjustable gas shocks and multi-link trailing arms to tackle any obstacle. Added perks like a multifunction color TFT display, 3,000-pound winch, and electronic throttle control and steering make this a bargain UTV that doesn’t compromise. [Starting at ,999; cfmotousa.com] 102 The BLUES The BLUES 103