2026 Kawasaki Ultra 160LX

Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 160LX: Luxury Three-Seat Touring for the Whole Crew

1. General Information

The 2026 Jet Ski Ultra 160LX is Kawasaki's naturally aspirated, three-passenger entry in its flagship Ultra touring range, priced at a base MSRP of $18,799 (plus $630 destination charge). It is built for riders who prize comfort, stability and all-day range over outright acceleration, making it a strong fit for families and groups who want to cruise, tow a tuber or wakeboarder, and carry gear for a full day on the water. A generous 21.1-gallon fuel tank and 44.5-gallon dry storage area set it apart from smaller recreational skis, while its three-person saddle seat keeps riders and passengers comfortable over longer outings.

2. Construction and Design

Power comes from Kawasaki's naturally aspirated 1,498cc four-stroke, DOHC, four-cylinder engine, fed by a DFI system with a 60mm throttle body and driving a 155mm axial-flow, single-stage jet pump through a 3-blade stainless steel impeller. Independent testing puts output at around 160 hp with a top speed near 52 mph, figures Kawasaki itself does not publish on the model page. The Ultra platform's deep-V hull, carried over with a sharper bow and roughly 22.5-degree deadrise, is tuned to soak up chop rather than chase outright top speed, and riders get Power Modes plus Kawasaki Smart Reverse with Deceleration (KSRD) for smoother low-speed handling around docks and marinas.

Inside, a full-colour TFT instrument cluster pairs with smartphone connectivity, while the JETSOUND 4s audio system and LED accent lighting add a touring-yacht feel not always found on a personal watercraft. The extended ULTRA Deck swim platform makes reboarding and towing water-sports gear easier, and the whole package is offered in a Metallic Stardust White/Ebony colour scheme.

3. Key Features

• Full-Colour TFT Display – A smartphone-connected instrument cluster keeps speed, fuel and ride data easy to read from the saddle.

• 44.5-Gallon Storage – Well above what most recreational PWCs offer, enough for a full day's gear, safety equipment and personal items.

• JETSOUND 4s Audio System – Onboard speakers turn a day of cruising into a social outing for the whole crew.

• Kawasaki Smart Reverse with Deceleration (KSRD) – Gives finer control when docking, launching or manoeuvring at low speed.

• ULTRA Deck Swim Platform – An extended rear platform that simplifies reboarding and towing water-sports equipment.

4. Summary

The Ultra 160LX suits riders and families who want a comfortable, feature-rich three-seat PWC for touring, towing and all-day outings rather than a pure performance machine. It gives buyers an accessible entry point into Kawasaki's Ultra touring lineup, ahead of the supercharged 160LX-S and 310-series models, for those who value storage, range and onboard comfort over outright speed.