Kawasaki Mule Vs. Polaris Ranger: Which is better?

The Polaris Ranger and the Kawasaki Mule are two of the best utility terrain vehicles on the market today.

Each of these UTVs is packed with high-performance features that are sure to please. Of course, we know that it can be difficult to choose between two specialty vehicles like these, which is why we created an in-depth guide to compare them.

Let's dive In!

• Side-By-Side Comparison
• Pros and Cons
• When to Use
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Side-By-Side Comparison

	2022 Polaris Ranger 1000	2022 Kawasaki Mule Pro FX
Starting MSRP	$14,999	$13,699
Weight	1,437 pounds	1,816 pounds
Horsepower	61 HP	47 HP
Engine	99cc four-stroke twin-cylinder SOHC	812cc four-stroke, three-cylinder DOHC liquid-cooled
Towing Capacity	2,500 pounds	2,000 pounds
Tire & Brake	Carlisle tires; 210mm dual-hydraulic disc brakes	Universal Motoboss Tires; dual-disc 2-piston caliper brakes
Suspension	Dual A-Arm Suspension	Double Wishbone

Pros and Cons

Polaris Ranger Pros

The Polaris Ranger 1000 comes with a 999c four-stroke, twin-cylinder, SOHC engine with electronic fuel injection and an 11.35-gallon engine. In terms of speed, it can get up to around 60MPH, making it a more powerful choice than the Kawasaki Mule.

One thing that the Polaris Ranger is known for is its towing capacity, which gives you up to 2,500 pounds to work with.

It is also one of the most customizable UTVs on the market today, perfect for those who want to create their own unique build. You can choose between a wide range of unique accessories, such as additional safety lights, snow plows, and colors.

Compared to the Mule, the Polaris Ranger is a little bit narrower, making it better for operating in tighter spaces. However, if you are a little bigger, you may find this to be a disadvantage, though we’ve found that it's pretty comfortable for your average adult.

Polaris Ranger Cons

If you're just getting into the world of UTVs, you might find that the Polaris Ranger 100 is pretty powerful. Plus, if you're not just using it for work, you might find that it is relatively expensive.

Lastly, the Polaris Ranger only comes with a 12-month warranty, which could certainly be a lot better, as the Kawasaki Mule has a limited 36-month warranty. Other than that, there are many bad things to note about the Polaris Ranger. Even now, it is one of the most sought-after UTVs on the market.

Kawasaki Mule Pros

The Kawasaki Mule uses a four-stroke, three-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled engine, which has a fuel capacity of 7.9 gallons and can reach up to around 50 MPH. While it may not be as powerful as the Ranger’s engine, it is capable of coping with various types of terrain while maintaining a decent power-to-weight ratio.

With a bit less power, a more affordable starting price, and a solid 36-month warranty, the Kawasaki Mule is an excellent UTV for beginners. While the towing capacity is 500 pounds less than the Ranger, it still offers plenty of power for most applications.

Kawasaki Mule Cons

Some advanced writers might find the engine in the Kawasaki Mule a bit on the weak side, especially when compared to the Polaris Ranger. For beginners, this shouldn't be an issue, though if you're an expert off-road driver, you may find yourself wanting a bit more get-up-and-go at times.

Compared to the Polaris Ranger, the Kawasaki Mule also comes with fewer customization options, which can be frustrating if you want to develop your own custom build.

When to Use

Location

If you're planning on towing with your UTV, I would highly recommend going with the Polaris Ranger. Stock, it has 500 more pounds of towing capacity than the Kawasaki Mule. However, we should also note that the Kawasaki Mule provides more room in the bed, so if you need to carry cargo predominantly on your UTV, the Kawasaki Mule might be the better choice.

With that said, both of these UTVs are great for driving on uneven terrain and performing farm work.

Reliability

Both of these UTVs are well known for their reliability, though when it comes to the warranty, the Kawasaki Mule comes out on top. It has a 36-month warranty compared to the 12-month limited factory warranty on the Polaris Ranger.

The Kawasaki’s limited warranty provides eligibility for Kawasaki Protection Plus, which gives you full and ongoing coverage for the radiators, valves, crankshafts, and more.

Comfort

In terms of overall comfort, the Kawasaki Mule Pro FX comes out on top with its slightly larger size. It provides around ten inches more room than the Polaris Ranger, and though it is not a considerable amount, it can make a difference.

Note that if you are driving in tighter outdoor spaces, the added width of the Mule can be problematic.

Fuel Economy

Both of these UTVs get excellent fuel economy, though the Polaris Ranger has an 11.35-gallon tank, offering more miles for your dollar. Overall, if you're looking at taking longer off-road excursions, the Polaris Ranger is a solid choice. Many people note getting around 17.7 mpg on average.

Kawasaki Mule drivers note getting anywhere from 10-13 mpg on average.

Customizability

The Polaris Ranger 1000 might just be the market's most customizable UTV, offering a number of unique accessories, allowing users to create the most functional UTV possible. Some of the features you can consider adding to your Polaris Ranger include the following:

• Winches
• Plow attachments
• Cab heaters
• Speakers
• Windshields
• Storage
• Rear panels

While the Kawasaki Mule has a few custom accessories and add-ons, they are a bit more limited than what is available with the Polaris Ranger.

FAQ

What is the Towing Capacity for the Kawasaki Mule Pro FX?

The Kawasaki Mule Pro FX has a 2,000-pound towing capacity, which is 500 pounds less than the Polaris Ranger 1000 due to the smaller engine size.

Is the Polaris Ranger Customizable?

The Polaris Ranger 1000 is among the most customizable utility terrain vehicles on the market, with plenty of unique accessories to create the perfect custom build.

Where is the Kawasaki Mule Pro FX Made?

While Kawasaki is a Japanese company, the majority of its UTVs are manufactured in the US. The manufacturing plant in Lincoln, Nebraska, makes the Kawasaki Mule Pro FX.

Where is the Polaris Ranger 1000 Made?

The Polaris Ranger 1000 is made in the USA. The company Polaris is based in Minnesota, and most of the vehicles and parts are manufactured in Wisconsin.

Conclusion

With so many excellent features on each, choosing between the Polaris Ranger 1000 and the Kawasaki Mule Pro FX can be quite difficult. However, if we had to pick our favorite, it would probably be the Polaris Ranger 1000, as it is more customizable and functional. Yes, it may cost you a bit more than the Kawasaki Mule Pro FX, though the additional towing capacity and extra engine power are well worth the money.

There is a reason that the Polaris Ranger 1000 is one of the most popular UTVs on the market today, as it offers just about everything an offroad writer would need for recreational use or work.