There was quite a lot of anticipation leading up to Kawasaki’s 2027 product launch. And let’s just say that a lot of it should’ve been filed in the “boy, wouldn’t it be nice” category. Almost exclusively responsible for starting a veritable tidal wave of speculation, The Watercraft Journal was the first to present the notion of a third generation X2, and later, a revised SX-R 160 riding on a derivation of the current GP1 hull.
Although the sources were sound and previously proven reliable, both of the predicted watercraft failed to materialize during last Friday evening’s presentation at the global Kawasaki dealers meeting in Cancun, Mexico. Consequently, the public’s backlash was both equally severe and vocal, which provided those from corporate an almost immediate influx of market data for a potential future product.
Rather, what we did get was an impressive amount of candidacy from Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA president Eiko Kirino as well as Global President, Takeshi Kaneko, who both addressed the conference concerning delays in manufacturing, supply chain issues, and expressed a full-throated commitment to regaining precious market share, which had backslid to a dismal total of 5-percent globally.
The brand’s newly minted strategy aims to assuage quality concerns by offering the industry’s first 3-year factory warranty, as well as expand Kawasaki lineup of JetSkis to the largest its been – to our recollection – since 1998. This includes new specialty-focused units, a newfound committal to racing, and reliance on mining the brand’s rich history within the personal watercraft enthusiast community.
After relocating Kawasaki’s manufacturing from Lincoln, Nebraska to Juarez, Mexico, many have questioned the future integrity of the product line. Niggling issues with failing fuel pumps and wiring harnesses were initially addressed at the local level but did so slowly and with lingering aftereffects. New suppliers and an influx of inventory have stamped out these concerns internally and soon publicly.
Returning after a two-year hiatus is the SX-R 160 standup. Insufficient supplies halted manufacturing for two years before restocking and recommitting to the JetSki. Simultaneously, the 2027 SX-X 160 (preferably referred to as the “SX Cross” or simply “X Cross”) retains the overwhelming majority of the SX-R components (drivetrain, hull, etc.) but replaces the hood with a fixed-steering system.
Both share an identical MSRP of $11,999 and come in Ebony and Lime Green as the entry-level ST 160 carries an MSRP of $11,899 ($100 cheaper) all the while retaining manual throttle cables and the previous engine management unit (ECU). These – as well as all other Kawasaki skis – retain their traditional SMC fiberglass and gel coat construction. Albeit heavier, SMC and gel coat have proven as durable as a Nokia 3310 cell phone.
The 2026 STX 160X and higher trim STX 160LX carry over from last year unchanged save for their respective asking prices of $14,599 and $16,799. Although both are equipped with Kawasaki’s KSRD thumb-operated reverse system, fly-by-wire throttle control, cruise control, No Wake and optional drive modes, the 160LX dons the high visibility LED headlamps, two-speaker Jetsounds system, 3-way LXury seat, reverse-facing camera and extended deck.
Nestled between these two is the STX 160LX-S, priced at $15,799. Aimed at family-budget tow sports, the 160LX-S includes the LED headlamps, reverse-facing camera and extended deck. Unlike the Metallic Surf Blue/Crystal White livery of the 160X or the subtle Metallic Phantom Silver/Crystal White of the 160LX, the LX-S is easily spotted in it’s brilliantly visible Pearl Citrus Yellow/Metallic Matte Twilight Blue hues.
Rounding out the naturally-aspirated STX lineup is the racy STX 160R. Priced at $15,799 and swathed in Ebony Black and Lime Green, the 310R features a race-inspired 2-passenger seat wrapped in grippy material and an aluminum steering neck with MX-style handlebars. Sadly, it’s saddled with LED accent lights and a rearward camera, which simply exist to up the price, as the two add-ons have no place being on a race-inspired craft.
Surprisingly, Kawasaki fulfilled a decade-plus-long dream by finally dropping the venerable 310-horsepower supercharged 1,498cc 4-cylinder four stroke into the Recreation segment STX, giving us the STX 310R and STX 310RX. Priced at $18,799 and $20,199 respectively, the 310R is also unnecessarily saddled with LED bow lights and rearward camera as the 310RX enjoys these features as well as the 2-speaker Jetsounds system and 3-up passenger seat.
All R-models’ MX bars are adjustable to up to 12 positions using a set of 5mm and 10mm spacers. And all STX models include an industry-leading fuel capacity of 20.6 gallons; 32.2 gallons of storage (including a waterproof phone storage case in the glove box); Eco Mode efficiency alert system; Kawasaki Smart Steering assist system; padded folding swim steps; deck-mounted cleats; and the 7-inch TFT full color digital dash board with jog dial controller.
For Kawasaki’s Ultra line-up, all full-sized JetSkis – regardless of engine option – received a new ride plate featuring a deeply-scalloped extended running surface (about 3-inches longer) that’s pitched upward nearly 5-degrees. This design will provide increased bow lift for a drier low speed operation, added rough water grip and a quicker rise to plane speed. Similar designs from aftermarket companies have resulted in higher top speeds from less drag too.
Gleaming in Riptide Turquoise/Ebony is the 2027 Ultra 160LX-S, priced at $18,599. Like it’s STX sibling, it too includes the deck extension, LED running lights and rear-facing camera for towing skiers and rafts. Priced just above it at $19,599 is the Ultra 160LX in Metallic Deep Red/Metallic Carbon Gray. Equipped with Jetsound 4S audio system, LXury seat and all of the other key features listed previously for LX units.
Weirdly present at the dealer meeting showroom as well as on its website, the two-year-old 2025 Ultra 160LX-S Angler is listed with a MSRP $18,899 ($2,000 down from previous pricing and with special 0% financing for 60 months). At the time, The Watercraft Journal was the world’s first media outlet to put hands on this machine in 2024. Yet when it came time for the Angler’s debut there was zero oomph behind it despite there being strong interest.
Sporting possibly our favorite color combination of Metallic Stardust White/Riptide Turquoise is the new Ultra 160LX-S Wakesport. Priced at 19,699 and purpose-built for tow sports, it features a wakeboard rack, an easy-access rear storage cubby made for rope storage topped with a hard-fixed pylon, a new seat redesigned for a rear-facing passenger, and a “Wake” mode programmed for smooth, more progressive starts and acceleration.
Building off of the 160LX and repurposing much of the Angler’s innovations and accessories is the Ultra 160LX Adventure. Priced at $21,199, the Fragment Camo Gray-wrapped Adventure features a 7-inch Garmin ECHOMAP Chartplotter, 7-inch TFT full-color instrumentation with Bluetooth smartphone connectivity, a vented windshield, LED accent lights, Jetsound 4S audio system, a flat bench seat, and what Kawasaki hilariously calls “multi-use pipes” at the bow.
The remaining three supercharged Ultra units don’t go untouched either. In addition to their new racy ride plates, all 310-horsepower Ultra JetSkis come equipped with Kawasaki’s new 12.3-inch full-color touchscreen display. This new dashboard display is haltingly big and can be digitally split into two or three screens with the use of its new job dial controller. Lastly, all three of these units also include Kawi’s new “Jet Link” overboard detection and notification system.
The Ebony/Neon Yellow 2027 Ultra 310X includes the aforementioned ride plate and IMAX-sized digital dash but does away with the LED visibility lights and deck extension. Nevertheless, its MSRP still breaks the 20K mark at $20,699. Next up is the Ultra 310LX-S, which like both the STX and Ultra 160 siblings, shares all of the same trimmings. The Riptide Turquoise/Ebony variant comes with an MSRP of $21,699.
Last is the Ultra 310LX; priced at $22,699, its Metallic Deep Red/Ebony explodes in a cascade of multi-colored metal flake under the right light. Again, like its 160-powered little sister, the 310LX shares the identical 3-position ERGO-FIT adjustable LXury seat, an improved high-resolution rearview camera (same as the above LX-S), Jetsound 4S audio system, meter visor, LED accent lights and Ultra deck with multi-mount rails.
In all, this makes for the single largest stable of JetSki models (17) offered by Kawasaki in what we estimate to be over 30 years. To think that only a few short years ago, we were looking at a menu of five or six options is staggering. And it is this (among so many other things) that stokes the fires of our excitement of a new future for Kawasaki.
