The first examples of the Kawasaki Ultra 160 LX and LX-S have landed in Australia – six months after going on sale in the US but ahead of schedule for local arrivals.
Pricing released this week shows the cost has risen by almost $10,000 – the biggest price hike in memory in the local Jet Ski market.
The previous-generation non-supercharged Kawasaki Ultra LX cost between $15,799 and $16,699 in Australia from 2020 to mid-2022, when it was discontinued.
The new generation – now split into two variants, rather than one model previously – costs from $24,848 for the Kawasaki Ultra 160 LX-S and $26,248 for the Kawasaki Ultra 160 LX (prices exclude trailer and registration).
These prices represent increases of between about $8000 and $9500 compared to the previous model, the biggest hikes in the local Jet Ski market in memory.
Significantly, both 2023 Kawasaki Ultra 160 models ($24,848 and $26,248) cost in excess of category mainstays the 2023 Sea-Doo GTX 170 ($22,454) and the 2023 Yamaha FX HO ($24,599).
- Sea-Doo GTX 170 (non-supercharged 1630cc three-cylinder): $22,454
- Yamaha WaveRunner FX HO (non-supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder): $24,599
- Kawasaki Ultra 160 LX-S (non-supercharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder): $24,848
- Kawasaki Ultra 160 LX (non-supercharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder): $26,248
- Prices exclude trailer and registration
While the new Ultra 160 prices may seem ambitious, Kawasaki notes both Jet Skis have had a major overhaul, with more technology than before – and a number of features rivals lack.
The hull on the Kawasaki Ultra series – on both the supercharged and non-supercharged versions – has not changed in more than 15 years.
However, the top deck changed on supercharged Ultras in late 2021 (as a 2022 Model Year).
Now the non-supercharged Ultra has gained the same new top deck and key technology upgrades as the supercharged Ultra sibling.
Highlights on the Kawasaki Ultra 160 LX and LX-S include:
- Trim adjustment for the first time (both models)
- Reverse trigger for the first time (both models)
- GPS speedometer for the first time (both models)
- Rear-view camera (both models)
- Forward-facing daytime running lights (both models)
- Rear deck extension (both models)
- 7-inch digital display screen with button and dial controls (both models)
- Front fender storage (both models)
- Power mode selection (both models)
- Launch control (both models)
- 160-horsepower 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine (both models)
- 80-litre fuel tank (both models)
- One-touch no-wake mode (both models)
- Four-speaker Jet Sound (LX only)
- Tiered, adjustable seating (LX only)
- Meter visor (LX only)
Examples of recent price rises across the entire Kawasaki Jet Ski line-up in Australia are listed below. Prices shown exclude trailer and registration. While care has been taken to avoid errors, please check pricing with your local Kawasaki Jet Ski dealer.
| Kawasaki price rises | February 2022 | August 2022 | March 2023 | August 2023 | Most recent price rise | Total price rises |
| Kawasaki SX-R ‘stand-up’ | $14,959 | $14,959 | $15,178 | $16,378 | $1200 | $1419 |
| Kawasaki STX 160X | $15,199 | $15,299 | $17,048 | $17,048 | $0 | $1849 |
| Kawasaki STX 160LX | $17,199 | $17,299 | $19,248 | $19,248 | $1949 | $2049 |
| Kawasaki Ultra 160LX-S | New model | New model | New model | $24,848 | N/A | $8149 |
| Kawasaki Ultra 160LX | New model | New model | New model | $26,248 | N/A | $9549 |
| Kawasaki Ultra 310X | $26,099 | $27,199 | $27,448 | $27,448 | $249 | $1349 |
| Kawasaki Ultra 310LX-S | $27,499 | $28,599 | $28,848 | $28,848 | $249 | $1349 |
| Kawasaki Ultra 310LX | $28,899 | $29,999 | $30,248 | $30,248 | $249 | $1349 |
MORE: All our Kawasaki Jet Ski coverage in one click
MORE: All our Sea-Doo coverage in one click
MORE: All our Yamaha WaveRunner coverage in one click
MORE: All our news coverage in one click
MORE: Follow us on Facebook
MORE: Follow us on YouTube
