The utility side-by-side market has never been more competitive with new models being announced that are now challenging the iconic RTV. It appears to me that Kubota, once dominating the utility vehicle market segment, has been resting on their laurels in terms of innovation and improvements. If I look at the evolution of the RTV in say the last 10 years, there have been few improvements made to the RTV that can be considered industry leading? IRS and LSD are about the only incremental changes made in the last several years.
I’m in the market for a new utility vehicle and in comparing the competitive offerings, I note that the RTV could once again be the benchmark UTV if Kubota would make the following improvements:
- Power/HST – There was once a time when RTV’s 25 HP and 51 ft/lbs torque was sufficient but with the competition offering more than triple the HP and more torque for their gas models, Kubota could use some improvements to their power plants. Perhaps a factory turbo with intercooler would be just what’s needed? Dare I say it but maybe an HST is not ideally suited for the RTV? An automotive type, automatic transmission with a lockup torque converter may be more suitable given the HP/torque ratings?
- Speed – I think that the RTV’s top speed is dissuading potential buyers from the brand. Their advertised top speed of 25 mph just doesn’t cut it in today’s market. I’m not suggesting that they need to offer a 60 mph trail blazer but its current top speed is painfully slow. 35-40 mph would be more than sufficient for most utility applications.
- Locking Front Differential – While the LSD is an improvement over the older open differential, a true locking differential would make it a beast. Also, get rid of the cable actuated lockers and 2/4wd selector levers as modern electronic switches/actuators are reliable.
- Ground clearance/Suspension travel – give it an inch more to tackle the bush
There you have it, with these improvements, the RTV would be hard to pass up as a utility vehicle. The RTV has by far the best enclosed cab and heating/AC system out there. It is also in my view the most robust and well-built utility vehicle. The competition is moving fast and I hope that the Kubota R&D people visit this forum to read what consumers are thinking.
This post is not meant to disparage those of you that currently own RTVs but merely to get some ideas out. I was hoping to have an RTV in my garage soon but the competitive offerings are quite interesting and can’t be summarily dismissed.
Incidentally, feel free to post any improvements you’d like to see in the next generation RTV. This could be fun.
I’m in the market for a new utility vehicle and in comparing the competitive offerings, I note that the RTV could once again be the benchmark UTV if Kubota would make the following improvements:
- Power/HST – There was once a time when RTV’s 25 HP and 51 ft/lbs torque was sufficient but with the competition offering more than triple the HP and more torque for their gas models, Kubota could use some improvements to their power plants. Perhaps a factory turbo with intercooler would be just what’s needed? Dare I say it but maybe an HST is not ideally suited for the RTV? An automotive type, automatic transmission with a lockup torque converter may be more suitable given the HP/torque ratings?
- Speed – I think that the RTV’s top speed is dissuading potential buyers from the brand. Their advertised top speed of 25 mph just doesn’t cut it in today’s market. I’m not suggesting that they need to offer a 60 mph trail blazer but its current top speed is painfully slow. 35-40 mph would be more than sufficient for most utility applications.
- Locking Front Differential – While the LSD is an improvement over the older open differential, a true locking differential would make it a beast. Also, get rid of the cable actuated lockers and 2/4wd selector levers as modern electronic switches/actuators are reliable.
- Ground clearance/Suspension travel – give it an inch more to tackle the bush
There you have it, with these improvements, the RTV would be hard to pass up as a utility vehicle. The RTV has by far the best enclosed cab and heating/AC system out there. It is also in my view the most robust and well-built utility vehicle. The competition is moving fast and I hope that the Kubota R&D people visit this forum to read what consumers are thinking.
This post is not meant to disparage those of you that currently own RTVs but merely to get some ideas out. I was hoping to have an RTV in my garage soon but the competitive offerings are quite interesting and can’t be summarily dismissed.
Incidentally, feel free to post any improvements you’d like to see in the next generation RTV. This could be fun.
RTV vs the Competition
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