Kawasaki didn’t just refresh a side-by-side—it detonated the segment. The Kawasaki Teryx H2 2026 lineup debuts with the all-new Teryx4 H2, Teryx4 H2 Deluxe, and Teryx5 H2 Deluxe, each built around a 999cc, inline-four, supercharged engine, making a headline 250 horsepower and 146.2 lb-ft. This is an instant, belt-driven boost translated through a purpose-tuned CVT for smooth, linear thrust from idle to redline. A highly rigid chassis with integrated ROPS, long-travel suspension, and a wide stance is engineered specifically for dune and desert domination—yet the cockpit reads premium, with automotive cues, four-point belts at every seating position, and generous room for friends or family.
Kawasaki’s design team makes the intent obvious: sleek, low profile, muscular surfaces, bead-lock wheels on Deluxe trims, dual-exit exhaust, Lime Green suspension hardware, and the River Mark front and center. The message is clear—Kawasaki Teryx H2 just leapt from capable to category-defining.
Kawasaki Teryx H2 performance: supercharger science, chassis control
The thrust of the Kawasaki Teryx H2 is a hypersport-inspired, centrifugal supercharger that spins its impeller to nearly 130,000 rpm via a planetary gear train (13.6:1 overall). Airflow is serious: over seven cubic feet per second at atmospheric pressure, accelerated to 223 mph before compression. A raised, fan-assisted intercooler sits between the rear seats and cargo area to keep charge temps in check; dual snorkels (separate for engine and CVT) breathe from high, dust-shedding positions; and a Donaldson filter plus pre-filters keep grit out where it belongs.
Four 40mm throttle bodies with twin-stage injection deliver precise fueling—downstream 12-hole injectors for low-rpm response, upstream 10-hole units above 5,000 rpm for top-end power density. Long-duration, high-lift cams, Inconel exhaust valves, dual oil jets per cylinder, forged steel rods, and a high-strength crank underscore durability at a 9,500-rpm ceiling. The soundtrack is equally engineered: a signature supercharger chirp on lift and a low-speed growl that telegraphs intent without droning in the cabin.
Power meets purpose via a high-capacity rubber-belt CVT with optimized pulley angles, extensive cooling (double the airflow of the KRX 1000 system), and a CVT temp readout on the dash. The payoff is the good stuff—no turbo lag, no shift gaps, just clean, continuous acceleration. On-the-fly drive selection toggles 2WD, 4WD, and 4WD with a locked front diff, while selectable power modes (Full/Mid/Low) tailor output from 100% down to ~60% for tight trail work or relaxed cruising.
Braking is equally serious: 270mm petal rotors at all four corners (3-piston fronts, 2-piston rears) with progressive pedal mapping. The long, 126-inch wheelbase, 74-inch width, and 16.1 inches of clearance plant the machine at speed; 33-inch Maxxis Carnivore Plus tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels (bead-locks on Deluxe trims) deliver grip, slide control, and stability appropriate for triple-digit desert running. Suspension is the centerpiece—FOX 3.0 Internal Bypass dampers with massive travel (23.2 in. front, 24.0 in. rear) create a plush ride in the “Ride Zone,” resist bottoming in the “Bump Zone,” and avoid harsh top-out in the “Catch Zone.”
Deluxe models step to KECS, Kawasaki’s semi-active system with acceleration sensors at each corner and Live Valve control, reacting up to 40% faster to terrain changes while you choose Soft/Normal/Firm from the steering wheel.
Kawasaki Teryx H2 trims, tech, and pricing
Every model gets tilt steering, electric power steering assist, a gate-style shifter for High/Low/Reverse, and thoughtful storage, USB-C power, and cupholders for all passengers. The rear carrier is rated for 300 lb with built-in tie-downs, and the accessory catalog is deep: HMW skid plates and guards, sport bumpers, KQR roofs and windscreens, lighting kits with a backlit controller, WARN VRX winches, cameras, mirrors, dual-battery kits, and cargo solutions to configure your machine from playday to long-weekender. Availability begins August 2025, with the four-door variants broadening the use case for riders who want to share the speed.
Compared with prior-generation Teryx models—machines that traded on utility toughness and trail manners—the 2026 Kawasaki Teryx H2 lineup is an all-new animal. The naturally aspirated twins and V-twins are replaced at the top by a 999cc supercharged inline-four, vaulting output to 250 hp (roughly nine-and-a-half pounds per horsepower on the Teryx4 H2 Deluxe’s estimated dry weight).
The chassis stretches wider and longer for high-speed composure, suspension travel grows dramatically, tires jump to 33 inches, and braking capability scales to match the pace. Deluxe trims introduce KECS semi-active damping with corner-mounted acceleration sensors, bead-locks, a standard roof, and the integrated 10-inch Garmin Tread system—none of which you could spec in a Teryx last year. Inside, the move to a 7-inch bonded TFT with CVT temp and boost pressure, four-point belts at all seats, and upscale lighting and switchgear modernizes the experience.
Even the details—the intercooler’s dedicated fan, dual snorkels, high-capacity CVT cooling, and electronically managed blow-off valve—speak to a platform engineered for sustained, repeatable performance in heat, dust, and deep sand.
The Kawasaki Teryx H2 family arrives in three flavors, all in Lime Green paint with premium fit and finish. The Teryx4 H2 (MSRP $37,199) seats four in high-back buckets with four-point belts and brings the full powertrain, the widebody stance, signature LEDs, and a 7-inch full-color TFT with Rideology-app smartphone connectivity.
Step to the Teryx4 H2 Deluxe (MSRP $43,199) to add bead-lock wheels, a standard roof, steering-wheel controls, and a 10-inch Garmin Tread infotainment suite integrated into the center stack—group ride radio, mapping, vehicle data screens, media, and phone, pumped through an IP-rated multi-speaker system with an available 10-inch sub. The Teryx5 H2 Deluxe (MSRP $43,699) swaps the rear buckets for a contoured three-place sport bench—offset for shoulder and hip room—keeping the four-point belts and adding more social flexibility without sacrificing performance.
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