Those looking for a hard-working problem solver with side-by-side seating have a new option, as Club Car launched a new, 14 horsepower UTV that won’t blow anybody away with its power, but proved to be plenty capable as a utility-based machine.
When introducing its new XRT950 at a media event in July, Club Car put a bullseye directly on the back of Kawasaki’s Mule 610 4x4 – the same Kawasaki company that produces gas-powered engines for much of the rest of Club Car’s UTV lineup.
The new XRT950 tested out well against the Mule. It features a smooth 479cc V-twin engine along with independent rear suspension, CVT engine braking and shift-on-the-fly four wheel drive – all features that are lacking in the Mule 610.
The 950 proved to be quite capable during our evaluation at a ski resort in eastern Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains – it clawed through mud, plodded up steep inclines and down steep descents, carried weight well and ate up bumps admirably.
The newest XRT, with a top speed of 25 mph, isn’t going to be pulling any customers away from the popular, sportier and higher speed Teryx, Rhino, Prowler and Ranger lineups, but it should fare well for folks looking for a low-speed, do-anything vehicle with side-by-side seating for just $7,599 for the four-wheel drive model, or $6,899 for 2WD.
A Strong Backbone
The new XRT950 looks quite similar to other Club Car UTVs, but there’s little carryover between this machine and XRT1550 and XRT810 siblings. It rides on a steel chassis, while all previous XRTs features an aluminum backbone.
Suspension travel measures 5.1 inches in front with MacPhearson struts, with 5.2 inches offered in the rear with Club Car’s new independent rear suspension which features coil-over shocks. A rack-and-pinion system is used for steering.
The suspension held up well during our test, absorbing the energy from bumps, roots and rocks without harshness while allowing the driver to stay in control. Stability is aided by a 55-inch width and a 73-inch height.
Ground clearance technically measures higher than the Mule 610, but we did bounce off rocks with the XRT that we cleared with the Mule. Club Car gave its new XRT950 hydraulic disc brakes all the way around, and that proved to be a huge step up from the Mule. The brakes took significantly less foot pressure to apply and provided excellent control.
ATV News
The XRT950 rides on 25-inch tires. The sizable rear box is rated to carry 400 pounds, while the machine itself is rated to carry 925 pounds total, including passengers.
All-New Drivetrain
The engine Club Car selected for its new XRT950 features some carburetion trickery from Briggs & Stratton.
The 14 hp Vanguard V-twin engine is built in Japan by Daihatsu to Briggs & Stratton specs. It features a fourth circuit to the carburetor – giving it a vacuum-controlled high speed enrichment circuit to go along with idle, transition and main circuits. The new circuit adds fuel when the engine is running fast, and allows engineers to therefore use leaner carb setting for the rest of the powerband.
That, in turn, allows the engine to idle smoother, start easier and run cleaner. It’s almost like adding EFI, except without altitude and temperature compensation – and without the added price of EFI.
The two cylinder layout adds a bit of weight, but it allows the engine to run very smooth – taking away the rough vibration found in many single-cylinder ATVs and UTVs. It also sounds good. It won’t blow you away, but it’ll get to its 25 mph top speed in an efficient manner and reacts well when you stab the gas pedal.
Power is sent first through a tight-belt CVT clutching system similar to those found on larger UTVs or ATVs.
Take Me For A Ride
From the cockpit, the XRT950 fits its niche well. The bench seat is roomy and quite comfortable, the steering wheel is well placed, and the gas and brake pedals are within an each reach, though somewhat off-set toward the middle of the machine.
On the four-wheel drive version of the XRT950, three large levers jut out of the upper center of the dash. The one nearest the driver controls the transmission – forward, reverse and neutral. The center level controls final drive – down for rear wheel drive, up for four wheel drive. On the right, the third lever controls the differential lock.
Shifting gears was clunky, as sometimes the machine resisted changing from forward to neutral or reverse when stopped. Shifting to and from four-wheel drive and locking and unlocking the differential could be done on the fly – which was a nice feature.
Overall, the XRT950 has a bold look – the front grill has a big, stylish X in the plastic, and automotive style headlights and parking lights help the truck-like front end. Along the sides, the “XRT950” logo is emblazoned along the box.
A Nice Buggy For A Nice Price
Club Car defined a specific low-power-for-an-affordable-price niche and then hit it hard with the XRT950. It’s a dramatic step up from other vehicles in this class. It looks and feels like a quality product, and it’s backed up by a two-year warranty.
“It adds to our family, but, more importantly, it represents an area of growth for our company,” said Gary Michel, president of the Club Car division of Ingersoll Rand.
The 4WD version of the 950 will retail for $7,599 – or about $500 more than the Kawasaki 610 Mule, but it has enough features to easily justify the step up. For buyers not seeking insurance or accessibility advantages, it will likely face more competition from faster-moving stripped down versions of larger vehicles than from under 25 horsepower class.
