$11,849 MSRP

• no-frills worker

• endlessly customizable

• great for the homestead

The Behind-the-Scenes Worker.

When you’re shopping for a utility rig, a few brands immediately come to mind. Polaris, Can-Am, Kawasaki — all manufacturers who do utility well. But when you dig a bit deeper into what most job sites, college campuses, and groundskeepers have in their garage, you’ll find Kubotas. That’s right, the big orange brand known for its tractors also make a solid utility side-by-side.

Kubota actually makes a few side-by-sides, including diesel options, but today we’re talking about the 2025 Kubota RTV520, the mid-size option ready for almost any possible use-case on a job site. Starting at $11,849, this endlessly customizable ute could be perfect for you shed.

But if you’re looking for a rig with all of the bells and whistles that’s ready to impress your friends, look elsewhere. Low horsepower numbers and a no-frills design mean that the RTV520 will work for you, but won’t do much else.

How much power does it make?

Strap in for this one. The 514cc two-cylinder engine that powers the Kubota RTV520 makes just 17.4 hp. If you’re wondering how that transmits to real-world application, it gives the rig a top speed of 24.9 mph.

Yes, that’s low. And yes, there are plenty of rigs out there with double, triple, or even quadruple the power of the RTV520. But look on the bright side, low power means that your crew will be less inclined to take it on joy rides. Plus, you still get an 1,168-lb towing capacity. It may take all day to get across the property, but it can still tow.

What makes it special?

The main advantage of a Kubota is that they are more customizable than anything else on the market. Whether it’s an enclosed cab, a plow, winches, bumpers, extra storage, or just about anything else you could need to knock out your property chores, the Kubota RTV520 has it.

Kubota is also the company that designs tractors meant to work hard for decades. The RTV520 shares that DNA, and you can stay confident that your Kubota won’t fail on you. These things take years of abuse and barely complain about it, and it’ll do the same for you.

Why do I want it?

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense rig that works endlessly, the RTV520 is one of the best options on the market. It’s affordable, reliable, and you can configure it into the exact rig to fit your needs. They’re so reliable, in fact, that they’re known for holding resale value. Just check out some of the listings here at DirtHammer!

Kubota also knows its core audience and takes good care them. Keep an eye on the Kubota website for deals for commercial buyers, veterans, and tons more.

Why don’t I want it?

Just 17.4 ponies under the bonnet is, uh, not great. It’s hard to convey just how slow the Kubota RTV520 is without someone actually driving it. It’ll get you across the job site just fine, sure, but just about anything else on the market will outrun it.

And that disappointment transfers over into the towing capacity, which sits at a relatively low 1,168 lbs. That capacity might be fine for some buyers, but when most of the industry gloats about at least 2,000-lb capacities, it’s hard to justify.

If you’re looking for luxury, check somewhere else. The RTV520 is about as bare-bones as you can get, and you’ll seldom find anything fancier than an AM/FM radio in the cab.

What trim do I want?

This one’s easy, as there is only one trim to choose from. Where you get customization is in the parts catalogue, where Kubota offers tons of accessories for the RTV520 to truly make it your own.

We all know that when buying a side-by-side, some trims have a few things we want but not all, while other trims have everything we want and much more, driving up the price. That’s a thing of the past for the RTV520, and you can add everything you need from it and nothing you don’t.

If I like this… what else should I look at?

If you’re looking for more power, the Polaris Ranger SP 570 comes with 44 hp and a lower MSRP. To save as much money as possible, just about any Kawasaki Mule or CFMoto UForce are the best bang-for-buck deals on the market. Lastly, we can’t have a conversation about utility rigs without mentioning the Polaris Ranger XP 1000 and Can-Am Defender HD11.

2025 Kubota RTV520 Specs

Length: 105.1 in.

Width: 54.7 in.

Height: 74 in.

Wheelbase: 70.9 in.

Claimed Dry Weight: 1,378 lbs

Engine: Two-cylinder gas

Displacement: 514cc

Transmission: Variable Hydro

Claimed Power: 17.4 hp

Claimed Torque: N/A

Fuel System: EFI

Steering: EPS

Drivetrain: 4WD/2WD

Front Suspension: Independent, Mac-Pherson strut-type

Rear Suspension: Semi-independent, multi-link

Front Brakes: Dry-disc

Rear Brakes: Dry-disc

Wheels F/R: 12-inch steel, optional 12-inch alloy

Tires F/R: 24 × 9-12 ATV, 6PLY/ 24 × 11-12 ATV, 6PLY

Bed Capacity: 441 lbs

Towing Capacity: 1,186 lbs.

Seating Capacity: 3

Ground Clearance: 8.9 in.

Fuel Capacity: 5.1 gal