When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Malibu Ride XTi 2006 and the Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX 2013 are modified vee designs with composite construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Malibu Ride XTi 2006 measures 21,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 19,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX 2013 at 2,0 feet (2013). At 29 lbs and 35 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 450 hp, the Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the Malibu Ride XTi 2006's 400-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 37 gal and 38 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Malibu Ride XTi 2006 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu Ride XTi 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.