How Come Kawasaki Didn’t Use A Bigger Motor?
Kawasaki’s Teryx4 utilizes the same liquid-cooled, 749cc, four-stroke, V-twin engine found in the standard Teryx, however with the larger overall weight (including passengers), Kawasaki provided its largest ATV/UTV motor with a higher power-to-weight ratio to make it equal to the two-seater model. With the precise handling, it seemed like you were driving the two-seater until it came time to slow down. It was peppy enough to enjoy sporty trails, with or without passengers, but provided a smooth, mellow ride for slowly entertaining your guests. It also has a 250-pound rear cargo capacity and can tow up to 1,300 pounds, so it can definitely make for a great workhorse.
Kawasaki’s electronic fuel injection and new centrifugal force clutch put power to the ground in a hurry and provided plenty of torque. Drivers have the option of high and low range in 2WD and 4WD with a variable front differential lock. Running in low range, I found the Teryx4 has a max speed of about 30 mph, and if I wanted to engage the 4WD system I needed to be at speeds below 10 mph.
As I ran the big UTV through the trails of our testing area I did find that the engine-braking left more to be desired compared to other UTV models. In 2WD high, I never felt the engine-braking help in the steep downhill sections, but in 4WD high I felt it for a brief second before it quickly started to accelerate down hills at speeds close to 20 mph with no foot braking. In 2WD low, the Teryx4 maintains speeds of 15 mph if you tapped the brakes. In 4WD low, you can maintain a 6–8 mph pace if you started rolling from a dead stop. If I tapped the brakes before the descent I was able to hold 9 mph for a second, but would hit speeds of 15 mph if I took my foot off the brake. Not a big deal to many owners, but definitely something that I look for when testing these types of machines.
How’s The Cockpit?
The interior of the Teryx 4 is ergonomically sound. For a six-foot driver, everything is where it should be. Taller or shorter driver/passengers can take off the seats and adjust them pretty easily. The easy-latch seats are the best of any stock UTV on the market. The Teryx4 is also easier to get in and out of than the RZR 4 and has a surprising amount of leg and shoulder room for all four passengers.
The full function digital display features a digital speedometer, odometer, twin tripmeters, clock, hourmeter and fuel gauge. The fuel gauge keeps tabs on the Teryx4’s large 7.9-gallon fuel tank, which offers more than 100 miles between fill-ups. The front passenger gets dual handgrips, similar to Yamaha’s Rhino, and the rear passengers share an easy-to-hold grab bar integrated in the cage.
The four new bucket seats are as comfortable as any aftermarket seats we have tested, and the three-point harness features anti-cinch straps. There are dual cupholders in both the front and back of the machine, and front and rear 12-volt plug-ins!
Maintenance on the Teryx4 line is easy-peasy. The airbox has been relocated and doesn’t require any tools for access or changing filters. The oil dipstick is located under the driver’s seat and is easily accessible as well.
Final Thoughts
Kawasaki’s Teryx4 is the best all-around four-seater UTV we have tested. I still can’t believe the agility this 1,600-pound UTV had in the woods. Its shorter wheelbase and electronic power steering allows you to smoothly maneuver in the tightest of trails. Its cargo bed will be great for household chores and along with four comfortable seats you can tow a respectable amount of cargo. Hunters will love the Realtree camo plastic and matching wheels, and the huge variety of other color schemes will be a big hit in 2012. If you’re looking to blast the desert whoops or spend your weekends off in the dunes with your family, the Teryx4 might not the best fit for you. The Polaris RZR 4 is faster and has more suspension travel. We’ve also heard great things about John Deere’s new four-seater Gator Sport, but if you can wait, we’ll have a four-seater shootout in the very near future. If not, we were very pleased with the all-new Kawasaki Teryx4.
ATVR
Spec Chart
2012 Kawasaki Teryx4 750 4x4
MSRP: Teryx4 $13,399; EPS $14,399; EPS Realtree HD Camo $14,999; EPS LE $15,199
Engine
Type: Liquid-cooled, 90-degree, four-stroke V-twin
Displacement: 749cc
Bore x stroke: 85x66mm
Cooling: Liquid-cooled
Fuel system: EFI with two Mikuni 36mm throttle bodies
Drivetrain
Drive system: Shaft; selectable 4x4 with variable front differential control
Transmission: Continuously variable belt-drive transmission with high/low range, reverse, engine-braking
Suspension (Type/Travel)
Front: Dual A-arms/7.8 in.
Rear: Dual A-arms/8.3 in.
Tires
Front: Maxxis 26x9-12
Rear: Maxxis 26x11-12
Brakes
Front: Dual hydraulic discs with two-piston calipers
Rear: Sealed, oil-bathed, multi-disc
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 86.1 in.
Claimed curb weight: 1,616 lb
Ground clearance: 10.8 in.
Length/width/height: 125.2/62.0/77.3 in.
Fuel capacity: 7.9 gal.
Turning radius: 16.7 ft
Load Capacity
Cargo bed capacity: 249 lb (length/width/height 17.9/47.6/8.7)
Towing capacity: 1,300 lb
Electrical
Lighting: 35-watt headlights, 8-watt taillights, 24-watt stoplight
Instrumentation: Multi-function digital meter with speedometer, fuel gauge, clock hourmeter, odometer, dual tripmeters; parking brake, CVT belt, R/N/P/4WD, water temp, oil pressure indicators
Colors: Sunbeam Red, Scout Green (standard); Vibrant Blue, Realtree Camo (EPS); Aztec Red, Sunrise Yellow (EPS LE)