2027 Kawasaki Jet Ski series unveiled with five new models

The Kawasaki Jet Ski range has come in for a major overhaul for 2027, with a number of technology firsts and a raft of new models, as the company looks to reinvigorate its personal watercraft line-up.

Kawasaki Jet Ski will introduce five new models for 2027, headlined by the new STX 310, bringing Kawasaki’s 310hp engine to its STX model.

Powered by Kawasaki’s 310hp supercharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, it is the first time the brand has installed its most powerful engine in the STX platform.

Kawasaki says it is the fastest-accelerating sit-down model the brand has introduced.

Meanwhile, Kawasaki has also gone back to its roots and added a second model to its stand-up range.

Based on the Kawasaki SX-R stand-up model, the SX-X sibling (pronounced SX-Cross) has a fixed handlebar height, rather than the tall handlebars on the SX-R that pivot, which requires riders to use their body more to lean into turns.

Kawasaki Jet Ski has also embarked on a technology offensive for 2027 with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, which Kawasaki describes as the largest in the personal watercraft market, on its Ultra 310 flagship models for 2027.

The company has also brought to life one of its recent patent filings for man-overboard technology, which Kawasaki describes as another industry first.

Expanding the line-up, Kawasaki has boosted its range of packaged Jet Skis.

In addition to the Angler fishing model, Kawasaki now also has an Adventure model, with a windshield and other accessories, to compete with the Sea-Doo Explorer Pro.

Kawasaki has also added a special WakeSport model aimed at the wakeboarding community and designed to compete with the Sea-Doo Wake Pro.

As for the rest of the 2027 Kawasaki Jet Ski line-up, the models receive new colours and graphics for next season.

Although prices for all models have been announced in the US, pricing for the 2027 Kawasaki Jet Ski line-up in Australia is yet to be released.

In the meantime, here’s a quick preview of each model.

The Kawasaki STX 310 is aimed at thrill-seekers who want to tame so much power in a small-to-medium-sized personal watercraft.

Kawasaki says the STX 310 is the fastest-accelerating sit-down Jet Ski it has ever built, although there are currently no acceleration or top-speed figures.

The Kawasaki STX 310 will be available in two variants for the 2027 model year: the STX 310R two-seater and the STX 310RX three-seater with more luxury appointments.

The Kawasaki STX 310RX comes with two audio speakers and has a three-seat configuration rather than two seats.

Both Kawasaki STX 310 models are powered by the same 310hp version of Kawasaki’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine.

In addition to the extra performance, Kawasaki STX 310 models step it up a notch with trim adjustment, a first for the STX platform, a one-touch ‘go-slow’ mode and launch control.

The SX-R 160 stand-up model is back for 2027 with a new colour scheme, but the big news is the arrival of the SX-X 160.

Both models are powered by the same 160hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and share the same hull, intake grate and jet pump.

However, the SX-X has a fixed handlebar height, whereas the SX-R handlebars pivot up and down depending on water conditions and riding style.

Both skis are designed to appeal to hardcore enthusiasts and, in the US, Kawasaki is giving buyers the choice at no extra cost.

In the more popular sit-down Jet Ski category, Kawasaki says it has recognised the shift towards turn-key solutions, or purpose-built, packaged Jet Skis.

For 2027, Kawasaki has added two new model variants to the Ultra 160 series.

The Kawasaki Adventure, a rival to the Sea-Doo Explorer Pro series, and the Kawasaki WakeSport, a rival to the Sea-Doo Wake Pro series, are both based on the Ultra 160 LX-S model grade.

Both borrow heavily from the Kawasaki Angler fishing model released two years ago.

The Kawasaki Ultra Adventure model comes with a windshield, dock-tie rails on the bow and storage solutions for the rear deck, similar to the Sea-Doo Explorer Pro.

The Kawasaki Adventure model is also equipped with the same flat seat design as the Kawasaki Angler to make it easier to move from side to side, as well as the same side pods as the Kawasaki Angler for added stability when stopped.

A Garmin navigation unit is fitted to the Adventure model, although it is a 7-inch device with push-button controls rather than the larger 9-inch touchscreen Garmin unit available on certain Sea-Doo models.

Other highlights include Kawasaki’s ‘Rideology’ powersports app, which allows riders to more easily connect their phone to the craft.

Similar to Sea-Doo’s ‘BRP Go’ system, Kawasaki’s ‘Rideology’ set-up can log trips and track fellow riders.

The Kawasaki WakeSport model comes with unique grab handles behind the rear seat, a wakeboard rack and a two-seat configuration to make it more comfortable for rear-facing observers.

Although the Kawasaki WakeSport is equipped with a rear-view camera, riders must still carry a rear-facing passenger to observe the wakeboarder or anyone else being towed by the craft.

After being the first personal watercraft brand to introduce a rear-view camera a few years ago on the updated Ultra series, Kawasaki has made an improvement for 2027 by fitting high-resolution cameras to all new models equipped with the device.

However, Kawasaki still had two more technology aces up its sleeve for 2027.

Kawasaki unveiled a 12.3-inch touchscreen for its Ultra 310 range, which it describes as the largest touchscreen in the personal watercraft class.

The new high-resolution 12.3-inch touchscreen, standard on all models in the 2027 Kawasaki Ultra 310 series, is larger than the 10.25-inch display on certain Sea-Doo models and larger than the 7-inch touchscreen on the current Yamaha FX series.

The rest of the Kawasaki sit-down Jet Ski range continues with a 7-inch TFT display, although it’s worth noting the 7-inch unit is not a touchscreen.

The new 12.3-inch display can be split into one, two or three windows and shows engine information, map instructions, music tracks and phone connectivity, among other functions.

For now, it is unclear how long it will take for the 12.3-inch touchscreen to find its way onto other models in the Kawasaki Jet Ski line-up.

In another claimed first for the Jet Ski market, Kawasaki has also launched a man-overboard warning system on its flagship Ultra 310 models.

The technology is standard on all 2027 Kawasaki Ultra 310 models, which are equipped with the new 12.3-inch touchscreen.

Kawasaki’s man-overboard technology requires the passenger to attach a small beacon, similar in size to a key fob, to their life vest.

If the passenger falls off the craft, a warning symbol flashes on the instrument panel and a warning beep alerts the rider.

The responsibility is then on the rider to circle back and retrieve the passenger from the water.