Looking for something a little different in the SXS world? Craving instant torque, massive brodies, and blowing past just about every other SXS out there? If electric drive gets you fired up, the Vanderhall Brawley GTS might be your jam.

This thing is an absolute beast. We’re talking 404 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, and yeah… you’re definitely gonna feel it the second you mash the go pedal.

The Brawley GTS also comes loaded with pretty much everything you could want:

• Traction control
• Regenerative braking
• E-crab steering (Hummer-style)
• Full HVAC, heated seats, power windows

What’s not to like? Honestly, the only downside I can come up with is range anxiety when you’re way out in the boonies. If you’re camping or on a long trip with zero charging options, that could be a buzzkill. But if you’re cool with a 140-mile round trip or less, this thing is tough to beat when it comes to comfort and style.

Standard features keep stacking up too: USB charging ports, LED light bar, heat, AC, defrost for those cold mornings, and a multi-channel Bluetooth sound system. It even has a 3-speed adjustable wiper system with sprayers, which you don’t see every day in the SXS world.

Looks-wise, it gives off serious Jeep vibes, especially with the grille front and center. The doors have lower glass inserts so you can keep an eye out for obstacles you might’ve missed. It’s got a clean, aggressive look overall. If you’re a taller guy like me, the stretched wheelbase means plenty of legroom. The dash stays simple with minimal gauges, toggle switches, isolation loops, and there’s a decent amount of storage out back.

Power comes from a center-mounted 300-volt, 40kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with charging handled through a rear port. Each wheel has its own fully sealed motor, inverter, and gearing, plus an integrated 200mm disc brake that handles regenerative braking. Everything’s sealed tight, so you can run it into deep water without worrying about getting fried. If you’re in the market for an electric beast like this, head over to Vanderhall’s site https://vanderhallusa.com/brawley-gts-ida-rose-electric-ev-off-road-utv-side-by-side-vehicle/ and order one up. There are tons of color options to choose from, and if the $50K price tag doesn’t scare you off, this might just be your next toy.

I’ve been following the war in Ukraine closely for the past few years. I’ve always had an interest in the defense space and the technology that comes with it, and I spent the first half of my career involved in Navy weapons testing. At the same time, I’ve been part of the off-road community for most of my life, so when I came across this article, it immediately checked two boxes for me from very different worlds.

The article introduces a new Ukrainian prototype weapons system that began life as a Can-Am Maverick X3. The platform has been outfitted with twin Longbow launchers and a radar system capable of tracking and targeting drones or even low-flying helicopters, engaging them with Hellfire missiles.

I’ll admit, there have been more than a few moments over the years where the idea of having rockets mounted to a buggy crossed my mind. There’s something undeniably compelling about it.

Overall, this type of strike-and-move system seems well suited for the current conflict, where rapid engagement and the ability to relocate and remain concealed are critical. Hopefully, we’ll see reports of its effectiveness in the future.The original article was posted here at Militarnyi.com if you are interested in more details.

Plenty of people can afford a fully loaded UTV with all the bells and whistles for whatever kind of riding or work they’re into. Others are doing just fine but simply can’t justify the sky-high, truck-level prices most dealers are asking these days. I came across an article about a work-oriented UTV that keeps things practical without wrecking your budget. Enter the Denago Powersports Ranchhawk.

This machine is said to come loaded with modern features like multi-range gearing, push-button 4WD, EPS, and a locking differential. It even includes a reverse camera and a tilting cargo bed to make loading and unloading easier. Power comes from a fuel-injected 623cc overhead-cam engine, paired with remote-reservoir shocks and a claimed 13 inches of ground clearance. Inside, there’s a 10-inch TFT infotainment screen with all the usual features, and it even comes with a windshield.

It may not have an enclosed cab, but here’s the kicker. The MSRP is reportedly around $10,000. That’s a solid value for a basic modern utility UTV. So if you’re in the market and don’t want to refinance your house to buy one, this could be a great option to check out. The full article can be found over at PowerSports Business if you want to dive deeper.

As I mentioned in another recent post, winter is here and it’s damn cold where I’m at. That’s a real bummer because I’d love to get out and rip, but I don’t have, nor do I want to buy, cold-weather riding gear. These days I just don’t function well at anything below 40 degrees anyhow.

Fortunately, the UTV market is loaded with machines that offer enclosed cabs along with heat and air conditioning. One of those is the Can-Am Defender. According to an article I read over at RideApart.com, last year’s Defender HD10 can be had for a steal since Can-Am released the new HD11 earlier this year.

The HD10 doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the new model, but it’s still a very capable machine. At $23,999 for the two-seater and $27,299 for the four-seater, you get all the creature comforts and Can-Am reliability without going into debt for the rest of your life, assuming you can still find one on a showroom floor. A co-worker of mine who hunts just picked one up and absolutely loves it.

If you want more details, the full article is over at RideApart.com.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from UTVSpot 🎄

Whether you’re at home enjoying the holidays or out in the wild shredding trails and camping under the stars, we want to wish you a great season and an even better year ahead.

We’re excited about what’s coming and are looking forward to growing UTVSpot.net into a go-to place for UTV news, gear, and real-world ideas. We hope you’ll check it out and be part of what’s coming next.

Here’s to a great finish to the year and an even better 2026.

That brings me to this article. I picked up this idea from someone on another UTV forum, and it addresses what I consider a design flaw on the Polaris RZR Pro R. Sure, more expensive aftermarket solutions are out there, but why spend that kind of money when you can fix the problem for about $14? For me, it was a no-brainer.

If you’re a Pro R owner who does your own maintenance, this idea is extremely handy. When changing the oil on the Pro R, you have to remove the entire rear bed just to access the oil filler. It’s only four bolts, but if you’re running a cargo box or have other gear back there, it turns into a lot more work than it should be.

This solution works really well with using a boat inspection hatch deck plate. By cutting a hole in the bed directly above the oil filler and installing the hatch, you can access the filler cap simply by opening the hatch. No more screwing around detaching things that can only be detached so many times before something gets broke.

I took photos throughout the process to show how easily this can be done with basic tools most people already have in their garage. The only tool you might not have is a handheld jigsaw, but even that isn’t a deal breaker. The cut can be made just as easily with a box cutter by heating the blade.

Bottom line, the final result turned out better than I expected, and I had it done in a couple of hours. That’s slow by most standards, but I tend to be meticulous. As a bonus, the hatch also clears the outer edge of the cargo box perfectly. Sure I could have bought an aftermarket filler tube, but why? There’s something satisfying about building a clean, functional solution yourself.

I love seeing the ideas people come up with to improve their side-by-sides. If you’ve done any DIY modifications of your own, jump into the forums and share them. I’d really like to see what you’ve built.

First I got an eyeball estimate on where the filler hole will be.

Then I traced the circle to cut using the hatch. Dont forget to do

the inside circumference, not outer or the whole project will be a disaster.

I then drilled little starter holes all the way around the circle.

Then I used a jigsaw to cut around the circle.

After inserting the hatch with little screws and nuts,

I then sealed the bottom all the way around with black sealant.

I then put it all together. I think it came out rather well.

Now that winter has set in and it’s cold outside, I ran across a company that’s stepping into something a lot of UTV owners have been asking for: custom A/C systems for side-by-sides. Even better, they’re now moving into heater systems as well.

RedDot Corporation isn’t new to this game. They’ve been in the custom heating / A/C business for industrial and military equipment since the 1950s, when Harcourt G. “Harky” Runnings started a side venture building heaters out of his automotive radiator repair shop in West Seattle for mail trucks. From there, the company expanded into heavy-duty trucks and equipment, and now they’re bringing that experience into the UTV aftermarket with dedicated HVAC systems for side-by-sides.

One thing I like is that RedDot has distribution dealers all over the U.S., which makes support a lot easier when you actually need it. Their latest UTV offerings include the Hurricane Roof Fan,

along with several other industry-first products. Their A/C systems use a drive kit that bolts directly to your UTV’s engine, paired with a custom under-dash air conditioning unit designed for specific vehicles.

Since it happens to be winter while I’m writing this, it’s worth mentioning they also have a UTV heater coming soon. The A/C systems are currently available for the Polaris Ranger, General, some Bobcat UTVs, and select RZR models, with the Pro R coming next.

Throughout my off-road years, I’ve always just powered through the cold and the heat. But as I get a little older, aftermarket comfort upgrades like this are starting to look a lot more appealing. It’s exciting to see what the aftermarket is doing in the UTV world, and this is only going to keep getting better.

Check them out.

Company: RedDot Corporation
Website: https://www.reddotcorp.com/
Product Series: Offroad Arctic

Ive been reading about something cool UTV-wise in the Toyota camp. They have come up with a pretty neat SXS based on the Tacoma TRD Pro Powertrain making 300 HP! Right now they have labeled it the Scion. Now I know this may not ever come to fruition but imagine if it was true? Legendary Toyota longevity in an off-road vehicle. I dont know about you, but id be all over that if it happens. You can read more about it over at one of my favorite places.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/toyota-strongly-considering-production-utv-with-tacoma-trd-pro-powertrain?utm_source=beehiiv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the-drive-newsletter&_bhlid=c86ecbd6a0529577eaa682fdf0047f45a7c9ae40

Title: Ride Report — (Location) — (Date)

Content template:

• Weather & trail conditions

• Who you rode with

• Miles logged

• Anything broken

• Best moment

• Worst moment

• Photos

Add your own if I missed anything.

Storage / Inside the Cab

• Door bags

• Center console or knee bag

• Under-seat tool pouch

• Phone/GPS mount

• RAM mount setup

• Small cargo net in the cab

• Glovebox organizer

• Magnetic tray for trailside fixes

• Fire extinguisher + mount

• Grab-handle storage bag

Lighting / Electrical

• Rock light starter kits

• Dome light upgrade

• USB charger

• 12V accessory plug

• Cheap switch panel

• Rear-facing LED pod for backing up

• LED headlight bulbs

• Quick-connect battery leads

• Whip harness

Performance / Maintenance Stuff

• Clutch puller

• Clutch cleaning brush

• Budget secondary spring

• Air filter pre-filter

• Snorkel pre-filter (cyclone style)

• Reusable air filter

• Fuel vent check valve

• Throttle pedal grip pad or extender

Protection / Safety

• Cheap A-arm guards

• CV boot guards

• Mini skid repair panels

• Boot protectors for trailing arms

• Belt bag or case

• Whip/flag mount

• Tow strap or soft shackles

• Helmet mounts/hooks

Tools / Fix-It Gear

• Tire plug kit

• Portable 12V air pump

• Belt changing tool

• Basic trail tool kit

• Spare lug nuts/studs

• First-aid kit

• Decent ratchet straps

• Small jump pack (some run under $100)

• Grease gun

• Metal valve stems

• Axle nut socket (for your machine)

Comfort / Convenience

• Seat belt bypass

• Seat belt pads

• Rear-view mirror

• Side mirrors

• Clamp-on windshield vent/scoop

• Cup holders that don’t suck

• Ear-protection/comm system holders

Exterior / Looks

• Grill mesh

• Extra flag mount

• Mud flap add-ons

• Cheap fender flares

• Door handle covers

Ride-Day Essentials

• Trail map holder

• Dry bag

• Extra D-rings/tie-down loops

• Snatch block

• Winch hook upgrade

• Small gas can mount (some <$100)

• Quick-release fire extinguisher mount

Bonus Stuff (Sometimes Under $100)

• Lightweight roof panels

• Tow loops/tab mounts

• Mirror/light combos

• Door latch upgrades

Your turn:

What else is under $100 that’s actually worth buying?
Drop your go-to budget mods below and let’s build the ultimate cheap-upgrade list.