2026 Kawasaki STX 160X
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Boat Overview
Boat Description
The 2026 Kawasaki Jet Ski STX 160X — Family Performance, Redefined
1. General Information
The 2026 Kawasaki Jet Ski STX 160X is a three-passenger personal watercraft built for riders who want strong, dependable performance wrapped in a family-friendly, easy-handling package. Positioned at the entry point of Kawasaki's STX 160 range, this PWC blends confident, predictable handling with genuinely modern styling, making it equally at home introducing a first-time rider to the sport or carrying a family out for a weekend cruise on the water.
Power comes from Kawasaki's proven 1,498cc, naturally aspirated inline-four engine, producing around 152 PS (112 kW), delivered through a 148mm axial-flow jet pump for smooth, linear acceleration rather than an aggressive, twitchy hit of power. That character is exactly what makes the STX 160X so versatile: relaxed enough for a nervous new rider, yet responsive enough to satisfy a more experienced owner looking for a comfortable all-rounder rather than an outright performance machine.
Typical uses range from towing tubers and wakeboarders, to long, easy cruises along the coast or across open water, to simply enjoying time with the kids on board — the three-person seating and 225 kg (496 lb) load capacity make it a genuinely practical family PWC rather than a single-rider toy. A 78-litre (20.6-gallon) fuel tank supports a useful cruising range for a full day on the water, and roughly 132 litres (35 gallons) of dry storage swallows life jackets, dry bags, and the everyday gear a day trip demands.
2. Construction and Design
Kawasaki has visibly refreshed the STX 160X for 2026, borrowing styling cues from its more premium models: a sleeker front hatch, updated trim, and LED accent lighting give the hull a noticeably more contemporary look than earlier STX generations. The hull itself is a compact, deep-V design engineered specifically for agile, confidence-inspiring handling rather than raw top-end speed, so the watercraft turns predictably and holds its line through wake and chop.
Overall dimensions of 3.31m length, 1.18m width, and 1.145m height keep the craft compact and easy to manoeuvre around a dock or trailer, while an estimated dry weight of 362kg (curb weight 425kg with fuel and tools) keeps it light enough for easier loading and launching. On the comfort side, the 2026 model gains a taller front seat for a more natural, less fatiguing riding position, non-slip deck mats for secure footing when boarding from the water, and an expanded central storage compartment. Splash protection has also been improved, and built-in side cleats make docking and tying off noticeably more convenient.
3. Key Features
Electric Trim Control: Lets the rider adjust the running angle of the hull on the fly, fine-tuning handling and comfort for different water conditions and loads without stopping.
Kawasaki Smart Reverse with Deceleration (KSRD): Smooths out reverse and deceleration manoeuvres, making low-speed docking and tight-space handling far less intimidating for newer riders.
7-inch Full-Colour TFT Display with Smartphone Connectivity: Puts speed, fuel, trip data, and rider aids on a bright, easy-to-read dash, with the ability to pair a smartphone for extra functionality.
Multiple Power Modes and Smart Learning Operation (SLO): Allows the rider to dial back power output while building confidence, then unlock full performance once they're ready — ideal for mixed-experience households.
One-Touch 5 mph (No-Wake) Mode: Instantly caps speed for safely navigating marinas, no-wake zones, and crowded launch areas without constant throttle management.
4. Summary
The Kawasaki Jet Ski STX 160X is aimed squarely at the family and multi-rider household that wants one dependable, easy-to-live-with PWC rather than a specialised race-oriented machine. Its blend of approachable power delivery, rider-assistance electronics, and genuinely useful three-person capacity suits everyone from a parent introducing children or a partner to watercraft for the first time, to a returning rider who values comfort and modern convenience over outright speed. Anyone shopping for a well-rounded, easy-handling personal watercraft for towing water toys, weekend cruising, or simply having fun on the water as a family will find the STX 160X a compelling, sensibly priced entry into Kawasaki's Jet Ski line-up.
Overview
Specs
Performance & Ratios
Overall height: 1.145 m (45.1 in).
Curb weight (full fuel and tools): 425 kg (937.1 lb); the Displacement figure above is Kawasaki's estimated dry weight without fluids.
Engine: 1,498cc inline-four, DOHC with 16 valves, naturally aspirated, 83.0 x 69.2 mm bore x stroke, 10.6:1 compression ratio, inducted water cooling, DFI fuel injection with 60mm throttle body, digital (TCBI) ignition, electric start.
Propulsion: 148mm axial-flow single-stage jet pump with a 3-blade oval-edge stainless steel impeller.
Electronic rider aids: adjustable Electronic Cruise Control, Electric Trim Control, Kawasaki Smart Reverse with Deceleration (KSRD), one-touch 5 mph (no-wake) mode, multiple Power Modes, Smart Learning Operation (SLO) mode, Kawasaki Smart Steering.
Seating capacity: 3 persons; load capacity 225 kg (496 lb).
Dry storage capacity: approximately 132 L (35.0 gal).
Special features: 7-inch full-colour TFT instrumentation with smartphone connectivity, large rear deck, comfort handle grip.
Colour choice: Metallic Surf Blue/Crystal White.
Base MSRP $13,899 plus a $630 destination charge (total $14,529 before taxes, title and dealer fees); price and specifications are subject to change per Kawasaki.
Hull material (fiberglass/FRP) and the 152 PS (112 kW) engine output are per Kawasaki's official EU technical sheet and industry press coverage; Kawasaki's US model page for this trim does not itself list hull material or a horsepower figure, and North American marketing commonly refers to this engine class as "160 hp".