The 2022 Kawasaki Ultra and STX160 Jet Ski range has been unveiled in the US – in the first week of August 2021 – ahead of Australian showroom arrivals later this year.
However, supercharged 2022 Kawasaki Ultra 310 models are being kept under wraps until closer to launch.
In a major disappointment for fans of non-supercharged Jet Skis who were considering a switch to the 2022 Kawasaki Ultra LX, it seems the major makeover for the new model-year will initially be restricted to top-end supercharged Ultra models.
In recent months there have been persistent rumours the Kawasaki Ultra platform is due to get a new top deck and a reverse trigger for 2022, its biggest bodywork change in 14 years.
It means the non-supercharged 2022 Kawasaki STX160 and 2022 Kawasaki Ultra LX – the cheapest models in the Kawasaki Jet Ski range – will be identical to this year’s line-up except for changes to colours and decals.
In the US there are three grades in the STX160 range, starting with an entry model with lime green and white bodywork. This variant is not confirmed for Australia, which is likely to carry over with the two dearer options, the STX160X and STX160LX variants.
The main difference between the Kawasaki STX160X and STX160LX is tiered seating and the JetSound waterproof audio speaker system.
While the STX160X looks set to carry over a lightly revised green and black colour scheme, the STX160LX appears to come with a brighter turquoise nose and yellow highlights on the revised side decals.
Above: 2022 Kawasaki STX160 (top) and 2021 Kawasaki STX160 (bottom).
The 2022 Kawasaki Ultra LX gains a red nose and new decals, but sadly it looks set to miss out on the new top deck that is widely rumoured to be coming for the 2022 Kawasaki Ultra 310 Jet Ski range.
It means the 2022 Kawasaki Ultra LX Jet Ski also misses out on the highly anticipated reverse trigger (as opposed to the bulky reverse lever on the console), and the possibility of an upgrade to cruise control and trim adjustment.
Indeed, all three non-supercharged Kawasaki Jet Ski models will continue to lack trim adjustment and will soldier on with the bulky reverse lever on the console.
While the Kawasaki STX160 continues to lack trim adjustment, at least it has cruise control.
Above: 2022 Kawasaki STX160 (top) and 2021 Kawasaki STX160 (bottom).
All three non-supercharged Kawasaki Jet Ski models have a claimed 160 horsepower from the carry-over the 1.5-litre (1498cc) four-cylinder engine, and the STX160 models continue with a 148mm jet pump while the Ultra LX continues with a 155mm jet pump.
All three non-supercharged Kawasaki Jet Ski models retain their class-leading 78-litre fuel tank – the biggest in the business – which promises to deliver among the best riding range in the Jet Ski community.
Australian prices for the 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski range will be announced closer to their local showroom arrival.
Updates happen slowly in the personal watercraft world, however Kawasaki has the longest lifecycles in the industry and, therefore, the biggest gaps between major upgrades.
Despite sharing many components, Kawasaki isn’t easily able to mix and match core functions such as trim adjustment and cruise control, because the company uses three different engine control modules across its range.
For example, the Kawasaki STX160 has a fly-by-wire throttle system with cruise control, the Kawasaki Ultra LX has cable throttle and no cruise control, while the supercharged Kawasaki Ultra 310 has since 2011 had fly-by-wire throttle control, however there is a cable from the lever to provide better feel.
Kawasaki experts say this complexity is one of the reasons the company isn’t able to quickly adopt features across different models.
The good news is, with major changes coming for the 2022 Kawasaki Ultra 310 range, the hope is the company will then direct its attention to upgrading the more affordable non-supercharged models in the 2023 model year. Fingers crossed.
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