2026 Kawasaki Jet Ski photo gallery: every model listed

Kawasaki has launched its 2026 Jet Ski series, including a major update to its entry model – the STX 160 – now with a reverse trigger among other changes. The Ultra 160 and Ultra 310 line-ups also come in for fresh colours. Here is every model.

Kawasaki Jet Ski has formally unveiled its 2026 line-up ahead of showroom arrivals next year.

While the Kawasaki Ultra 160 and Kawasaki Ultra 310 only come in for colour and trim changes, the big news is the major update to its entry model – the Kawasaki STX 160 – which finally gets a reverse trigger and other key upgrades borrowed from its bigger Kawasaki Ultra sibling.

The top-line version of the 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 also gains daytime running lights in the front bumper, and a rear-view camera to give the rider an extra set of eyes when towing (though for legal reasons a rear-facing passenger must still be on the craft).

The reverse trigger on the 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 is the same two-in-one design that debuted on the latest generation Kawasaki Ultra series introduced in 2022.

Near the right handgrip (pictured above), one part of the trigger is the accelerator while another part of the trigger selects reverse.

The Kawasaki Jet Ski reverse trigger design differs from Sea-Doo and Yamaha WaveRunner (which have a reverse trigger on the left handlebar and an accelerator on the right), but it works well.

Kawasaki has also kept the now superseded STX 160 – with the old-school handbrake-style reverse lever – for 2026 and renamed it ST 160 X (pictured below) as a price-leader model.

It is unclear, however, if this bare bones variant will come to Australia.

The arrival of fresh colours for the 2026 Kawasaki Ultra series – plus an overdue overhaul for the 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 – is destined to give Kawasaki a major boost in the Jet Ski market.

Despite having come up with the Jet Ski name, Kawasaki’s market share has dwindled amid stronger competition from Sea-Doo and Yamaha WaveRunner.

However this 2026 line-up is hopefully a sign that Kawasaki is about to turn the corner.

Kawasaki Jet Ski dealers in Australia canvassed by Watercraft Zone said they do not yet have an estimated arrival time for the 2026 models – and they still have some 2024 stock to clear.

Using a history as a guide, the 2026 models could be here in time for the summer break, unless Kawasaki decides to hold back stock until dealers clear more of their 2024 and 2025 inventory.

Kawasaki has been having a red-hot go at clearing stock; it is currently running a “double whammy” promotion that includes a discount on the ski plus a fuel card. You can read more about Kawasaki Jet Ski’s hot deals here.

Meantime, below is a photo gallery of the 2026 Kawasaki Jet Ski line-up straight out of the US.