The 2026 Kawasaki Teryx5 H2 Long Term Review marks a significant milestone for us, as we’re now closing in on 2,500 miles of real-world ownership with Kawasaki’s supercharged five-seat sport UTV. If you missed our original first-drive impressions, you can read the full breakdown here.
After thousands of miles across some of the most diverse terrain in the West, we’ve gathered enough seat time to deliver an honest ownership update.
2026 Kawasaki Teryx5 H2 Long Term Review
Mojave to Mammoth Test
The Mojave to Mammoth route is one of the best tests you can give any machine. In roughly 350 miles, you experience open desert, deep whoops, high-speed fire roads, rocky technical sections, muddy crossings, long mountain climbs and descents, and eventually snow at elevation. The Teryx5 H2 handled it without hesitation, showing impressive stability at speed while remaining predictable in tighter terrain.
2026 Kawasaki Teryx5 H2 Long Term Review
Spare Tire & Mirror Oversight
We mounted the spare using Kawasaki’s accessory tire carrier. Installation was straightforward and secure, but it blocks the rearview mirror. This highlighted the need for standard side mirrors on all UTVs, especially during long group rides where situational awareness matters.
2026 Kawasaki Teryx5 H2 Long Term Review
Front Differential & CV Incident
Midway through the Mammoth ride, we noticed fluid from the front differential. The passenger-side CV had backed out slightly, nicking a seal. We applied a temporary trail fix, and nearly 1,000 miles later, there have been no further issues. Kawasaki has since updated retaining clips on newer units.
2026 Kawasaki Teryx5 H2 Long Term Review
Fuel Economy Update at 2,500 Miles
Fuel range remains our biggest complaint after 2,500 miles. The supercharged engine delivers serious performance, but that power comes at a cost. In Full Power mode, we’re seeing roughly 6 mpg in real-world desert riding. With the 15-gallon tank, that translates to a practical range of about 90 miles before you need to start thinking seriously about fuel.
Switching to Mid Power mode improves mileage to approximately 8–9 mpg, which stretches range closer to what our Maverick X3 and Turbo RZR riding partners are seeing. The difference in power delivery is noticeable — you lose some of the immediate supercharger punch — but the H2 still pulls hard and remains a very fast machine.
For shorter rides, Full Power mode is worth it. On longer adventures, however, fuel planning becomes part of the strategy. Because of that, we’re currently exploring auxiliary fuel solutions that would allow us to comfortably run Full Power mode without limiting ride distance. The H2 was built to be driven aggressively, and we’d prefer not to leave performance on the table just to manage range.
2026 Kawasaki Teryx5 H2 Long Term Review
Digital Dash & Fuel Gauge Observations
The digital dash is modern, clean, and packed with features. It provides clear readouts, multiple display options, and enough data to satisfy riders who like to monitor everything from drive modes to trip information. Overall, it feels appropriately premium for a flagship five-seat sport UTV.
However, the fuel gauge itself has been inconsistent. We’ve experienced situations where we were nearly 90 miles into a ride and the gauge still indicated roughly three-quarters of a tank, while on other occasions the low fuel warning illuminated much earlier than expected. Because we track mileage closely, it hasn’t left us stranded, but it does require paying attention rather than relying solely on the display.
Kawasaki has indicated that a software update should correct the issue. Until that update is implemented, we’re relying more on trip mileage and known fuel range rather than the gauge reading alone.
2026 Kawasaki Teryx5 H2 Long Term Review
Smart Shox Suspension Performance Review
The Smart Shox system offers clearly defined Soft, Medium, and Firm modes, and the differences between them are far from subtle. Each setting genuinely changes the personality of the machine rather than offering minor, hard-to-detect adjustments.
Soft mode is plush and comfortable, making it ideal for long-distance rides and general desert cruising. It allows more body movement and compliance over small chop, which actually makes the H2 feel playful and forgiving instead of stiff. For the majority of our riding — especially all-day trips — this is where we keep it.
Medium mode noticeably tightens the chassis and reduces body roll, giving the car a more planted feel in faster or rougher terrain. It’s the setting we switch to when the pace picks up and the trail gets more aggressive, offering a balanced blend of comfort and control.
Firm mode transforms the H2 into full-send territory. The chassis feels flat and composed, absorbing big hits with confidence and encouraging you to push harder. In this setting, the five-seat platform shrinks around you and feels far more performance-oriented than its size suggests.
After thousands of miles, the Smart Shox system continues to operate consistently without fade or erratic behavior — one of the standout features of this long-term test.
2026 Kawasaki Teryx5 H2 Long Term Review
Tire Wear & Pressure Setup After 2,000+ Miles
The stock tires continue to impress us. After more than 2,000 hard miles of mixed terrain — including desert chop, rocky climbs, mud crossings, and snow — they still show well over half their tread life remaining. Considering the weight of a five-seat machine and the way this H2 gets driven, that’s saying something. Wear has been even across the tread, and the sidewalls have held up without cuts or structural damage.
We’ve experimented quite a bit with tire pressure and it genuinely changes the character of the ride. For everyday riding, 18 psi has proven to be the sweet spot, offering a solid balance between comfort, steering precision, and puncture resistance. When we’re heading into terrain where flats would be a major inconvenience, we bump them up to 20 psi for added protection and peace of mind. On smoother desert stretches or long cruising days, we’ve dropped as low as 15 psi to gain a noticeable improvement in ride comfort and small-bump compliance.
We do have two plugs in the passenger rear tire — courtesy of clipping a sharp bush mid-corner — but both plugs have continued to hold air without issue. No slow leaks, no pressure loss, and no need to break the tire down. The spare remains mounted, but so far, the original set is proving durable and dependable.
2026 Kawasaki Teryx5 H2 Long Term Review
Clutch Stop Ride & Belt Inspection
Kawasaki has issued a temporary stop ride related to clutch concerns reported by a limited number of owners. From what we understand, the issue appears to involve the primary and secondary clutch assemblies, and Kawasaki is actively working toward an updated solution. Out of caution, riding has been paused while the company finalizes revised components and distributes guidance.
Our machine remains on the original clutch belt. As a precaution, we removed it for a thorough inspection — a relatively straightforward process that involves decompressing the secondary clutch with three bolts to allow the belt to slide off easily. Once removed, we looked closely for glazing, heat discoloration, fraying, or cracking. The belt showed minimal wear and zero cracking, and the clutch faces appeared clean with no abnormal marking. We reinstalled the belt, and engagement continues to feel smooth and consistent with no slipping, chatter, or unusual noise.
We’re continuing to monitor the situation closely and will report back once Kawasaki releases updated components or additional information.
2026 Kawasaki Teryx5 H2 Long Term Review
Maintenance & Service Update
During the stop ride, we’re performing routine service including engine oil, differential and transmission fluids, air filter replacement, and installing a fresh belt. Service videos will be available soon.
2026 Kawasaki Teryx5 H2 Long Term Review
Verdict at 2,500 Miles
We’ll continue documenting updates, maintenance findings, clutch developments, and long-term wear as the miles stack up. As it sits today, 2,500 miles in, the Teryx5 H2 has earned its place as one of our favorite UTVs we’ve tested — not because it’s flawless, but because it’s exciting, capable, and genuinely fun to drive every time we fire it up. It blends durability with serious performance in a way the KRX platform never quite did before. If Kawasaki continues refining the small issues and the aftermarket keeps supporting the platform, this machine has the potential to be a long-term standout in the four-to-five-seat sport UTV segment. We’re not parking it — we’re planning the next trip. Stay tuned.
