Kawasaki KRX4 es UTV Review

Kawasaki KRX4 es UTV Review

Competition:

The KRX1000 eS sits atop the suspension throne for its price point, but it has some stiff competition from a power perspective. This KRX has an MSRP of $28,499. Honda’s Talon 1000X-4 would be the KRX’s main competition, as it includes Honda’s version of Fox Live Valve, and it’s $24,199. The KRX offers a much more comfortable ride and more capable suspension than the Talon, but the Talon has a much more lively engine and transmission.

For $27,099, if you give up some features, you can pick up a 200 horsepower Can-Am Maverick X3 Max DS Turbo RR 64. You’ll give up full doors, internal bypass shocks, and electronic control over your suspension’s stiffness from the driver’s seat for that extra horsepower. 

Polaris offers the now 9 year old RZR XP1000 Ultimate for $28,399, which includes a stereo system but no electronic shock control. You can also take a look at the latest 2024 RZR XP4 here. To step up to Polaris or Can-Am’s electronic suspension equipped models, you are looking at $37,399 for the 181 horsepower RZR Pro XP Ultimate, or $35,399 for the Maverick X3 MAX X rs Turbo RR with Smart-Shox 72. 

The KRX4 offers a unique blend of high-tech chassis and suspension performance with a lower-output naturally aspirated engine, letting those who don’t need a massive amount of horsepower benefit from a big cost savings. You get a steel bodied Fox Internal Bypass shock as well, which required Kawasaki to check a couple of extra boxes on the Fox order forms when they built the car. It translates to a longer-lasting, plusher-riding shock.

Impressions:

We had a blast wheeling the KRX over a variety of terrain in a couple of different states. The KRX really shines when the trails are rough and curvy, where the length of the car seems to shrink a bit. The 4-seat KRX really does drive and feel like the 2-seat version almost everywhere. You notice the length when turning around or crossing a very steep breakover angle, and that’s about it. The KRX is fun to hustle in the corners, and the relatively tame engine performance translates into a car that allows you to use more of the throttle almost everywhere. The KRX shines when you put the hammer down and let the chassis work underneath you. It’s here where you’ll find where the R&D budget was spent, as the KRX sails over rough trails. This car is the sweet spot for customers looking for a ton of suspension performance without big turbo horsepower. 

ALSO, SEE: 2024 Kawasaki Ridge Review