Prices and specifications for the 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 Jet Ski – the biggest change to the brand’s entry model in 20 years – have finally been announced, almost a year after the major redesign was unveiled.
However, in a surprise move, Kawasaki has only released half the models it had promised.
Kawasaki previewed four variants last year:
- 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 X
- 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 R
- 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 LX-S
- 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 LX
This week Kawasaki released prices and specifications for only two of those four models:
- 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 X
- 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 LX
The 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 R was a two-seater variant intended to target smaller rivals such as the Sea-Doo Spark and Yamaha JetBlaster.
The 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 LX-S was intended to be a middle-luxury model as a stepping stone to the top-line LX.
However it appears Kawasaki has opted to play it safe and launch with two STX 160 models amid a global downturn in personal watercraft sales.
In addition, Kawasaki has rebranded the superseded STX 160 and given it a new colour scheme and a new name: ST 160 X (pictured below).
It is understood Kawasaki wanted to offset the price rises applied to the 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 range by continuing to offer the old model at the old price.
In the US, the superseded Kawasaki STX 160 model line-up was previously priced as follows:
- 2025 Kawasaki STX 160: $US11,999
- 2025 Kawasaki STX 160 X: $US12,599
- 2025 Kawasaki STX 160 LX: $US14,299
For 2026, the Kawasaki STX 160 model line-up is priced as follows:
- 2026 Kawasaki ST 160 X: $US11,999 (no change)
- 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 X: $US13,899 (up $1300)
- 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 LX: $US15,999 (up $1700)
The price rises represent increases of approximately 10 per cent in the US.
Australian pricing for the 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 line-up – and the revamped 2026 Kawasaki Ultra series which comes in for new colour and trim – are due to be announced closer to local showroom arrivals later this year or early next year.
Using the 10 per cent price increase in the US as a guide, the 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 line-up could cost in excess of $20,000 in Australia – making it one of the most expensive Jet Skis in the mid-size class.
Kawasaki Jet Ski dealers in Australia canvassed by Watercraft Zone said they have not been given an estimate on pricing or delivery timing.
It is unclear at this stage if the rebranded superseded model – now called the Kawasaki ST 160 X (pictured below) – will be offered in Australia, even though it is listed on Kawasaki’s US website.
As previously reported – but worth recapping – the Kawasaki STX 160 comes in for a top-deck redesign, a reverse trigger, trim adjustment, a new 7-inch digital display, plus daytime running lights and a rear-view camera on the top model.
The technology upgrades are borrowed from the Kawasaki STX 160’s bigger brother, the Kawasaki Ultra 160.
The rear-view camera might be dismissed by some as a gimmick, but it is designed 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.
However, the old-school reverse lever – which looks like a handbrake lever on a car – refuses to die.
It will soldier on with the renamed Kawasaki ST 160 X (pictured below) price-leader model.
2026 Kawasaki STX 160 highlights:
- Four models previewed: 160X, 160R, 160LX-S, 160LX
- Only two models coming initially: 160X, 160LX
- New top deck (all models)
- New gunwales (all models)
- Three-piece front bumper (all models)
- Bow storage 114 litres (all models)
- Centre console storage 4.4 litres (all models)
- Waterproof compartment inside centre console 0.8 litres (all models)
- 7-inch digital display and controller dial (all models)
- Reverse trigger (all models)
- Adjustable trim, seven positions (all models)
- Three power modes (all models)
- Cruise control (all models)
- ‘No wake’ mode 8kmh (all models)
- Larger centre console (all models)
- Docking cleats (all models)
- Daytime running lights (LX, LX-S, R)
- Rear view camera (LX, LX-S, R)
- Rear deck extension (LX, LX-S)
- Three seat layout (LX, LX-S, X)
- Two-seat layout (R)
- Two-speaker audio (LX)
- Meter visor (LX)
- Camera mount bars on redesigned handlebars (LX, LX-S, X)
- Camera mount bar above rear wet storage area (all models)
- Motocross-style handlebars, round hand grips (R)
What’s not new:
- Kawasaki STX hull and sponsons (date back to 2003)
- 160hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine carries over
- 78-litre fuel tank carries over
Other technology highlights:
The immobiliser key slot is located inside the centre console; the ignition switch is on the left handlebar.
When the craft is linked to a smartphone via Bluetooth, notifications of calls and messages appear on the instrument display.
However, it is not a touchscreen. The information on the instrument display is accessed via a controller dial and buttons to the left of the centre console.
The sound system on the LX has an amplifier rated at 200W (x 2 channels) and the speakers are rated at 60W (x 2 channels).
Kawasaki says the speakers on the LX also serve as splash guards.
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 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 STX 160 Jet Ski line-up straight out of the US.
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