By Jon Crowley
The 2020 Kawasaki Teryx combined the compact dimensions of a two-seat trail UTV with enough cargo capacity for hunting, camping, property work and longer backcountry adventures. Its 783cc V-twin engine, selectable four-wheel drive, FOX Podium suspension and durable Double-X frame reflected Kawasaki’s emphasis on predictable performance and long-term durability rather than outright horsepower.
The 2020 model continued the two-seat Teryx platform introduced for 2014. Its 85.8-inch wheelbase made it maneuverable on tight trails, while the open area behind the seats and 600-pound-capacity tilting cargo bed provided substantially more gear-carrying space than most sport-oriented two-seat UTVs.
2020 Kawasaki Teryx Overview
Kawasaki positioned the Teryx between traditional utility side-by-sides and faster sport UTVs. It was built for riders who valued a compact chassis, comfortable upright seating, dependable low-speed power and room for tools, coolers or camping equipment.
Important 2020 Kawasaki Teryx features included:
- 783cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected V-twin engine
- Automatic CVT with High and Low ranges
- Centrifugal clutch that maintained belt tension at low speeds
- Selectable 2WD and 4WD with a locking front differential
- Speed-sensitive Electric Power Steering
- FOX Podium 2.0 piggyback shocks
- Double-X reinforced steel frame
- Two-person seating
- Large storage area behind the seats
- 600-pound-capacity tilting cargo bed
- 1,300-pound towing capacity and two-inch receiver
- Kawasaki STRONG three-year limited warranty
For more background on how this platform developed, see our complete history of the Kawasaki Teryx and Teryx4.
783cc V-Twin Power
The Teryx used Kawasaki’s 783cc, liquid-cooled V-twin with digital fuel injection and two 36mm Mikuni throttle bodies. It produced a claimed 47 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm, with an emphasis on usable low- and midrange response.
This engine was not intended to compete with the horsepower of contemporary sport UTVs. Its strength was controlled power delivery in tight, steep and technical terrain. The CVT’s centrifugal clutch kept tension on the drive belt, helping the Teryx deliver predictable engagement when crawling over rocks or maneuvering at low speed.
Automatic engine braking also helped control the vehicle on descents. Riders could select 2WD, 4WD or 4WD with the front differential locked to match changing trail conditions.
Compact Trail Handling
The 2020 Teryx measured 61.6 inches wide and rode on an 85.8-inch wheelbase. Its compact footprint and 16.7-foot turning radius made it well suited to wooded trails, mountain switchbacks and other terrain where maneuverability mattered more than high-speed suspension travel.
Double-wishbone suspension was used at all four corners. FOX Podium piggyback shocks provided adjustable preload and 24-position compression damping, with 8.0 inches of front-wheel travel and 8.3 inches at the rear.
Those travel numbers were modest compared with a pure sport UTV, but the suspension, upright seating position and predictable steering worked well for exploration, hunting and technical trail riding. Our earlier Kawasaki Teryx review in Moab demonstrated how effectively this basic platform handled slow-speed rock crawling.
Cargo and Adventure Capability
One of the two-seat Teryx’s best features was its storage layout. Kawasaki used the space behind the seats for a large gear-storage area, including sealed storage compartments, while retaining a separate tilting cargo bed.
The bed measured 27.6 inches long, 43.3 inches wide and 10.4 inches deep, with a rated capacity of 600 pounds. A two-inch receiver allowed the Teryx to tow up to 1,300 pounds.
This combination gave the Teryx considerably more utility than many recreational two-seat machines. Recovery equipment, jackets and tools could be carried behind the occupants while the bed remained available for a cooler, camping equipment, hunting gear or property-maintenance supplies.
2020 Kawasaki Teryx Models
The 2020 lineup included standard, Camo and LE versions. Equipment varied by trim, with upper models adding features such as a hard roof, four LED headlights, premium bodywork and aluminum wheels.
The specifications below primarily describe the 2020 Kawasaki Teryx LE pictured in this article.
2020 Kawasaki Teryx LE Engine and Drivetrain Specifications
- Engine: Four-stroke, SOHC, four-valve V-twin
- Cooling: Liquid
- Displacement: 783cc
- Bore and stroke: 85.0 x 69.0mm
- Compression ratio: 10.7:1
- Maximum torque: 47.0 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm
- Fuel system: DFI with two 36mm Mikuni throttle bodies
- Ignition: TCBI with electronic advance
- Starting system: Electric
- Transmission: Automatic CVT with centrifugal clutch; High, Low, Neutral and Reverse
- Final drive: Shaft drive with selectable 2WD/4WD and locking front differential
- Engine braking: Yes
Suspension, Tires and Brakes
- Front suspension: Double wishbone with FOX Podium piggyback shocks, adjustable preload and 24-way compression damping
- Front-wheel travel: 8.0 inches
- Rear suspension: Double wishbone with FOX Podium piggyback shocks, adjustable preload and 24-way compression damping
- Rear-wheel travel: 8.3 inches
- Front tires: Maxxis 27 x 9-14
- Rear tires: Maxxis 27 x 11-14
- Wheels: Aluminum
- Steering: Speed-sensitive Electric Power Steering with rack-and-pinion
- Front brakes: Dual hydraulic discs with two-piston calipers
- Rear brake: Sealed, oil-bathed multi-disc
Dimensions and Capacities
- Overall length: 118.1 inches
- Overall width: 61.6 inches
- Overall height: 77.8 inches
- Wheelbase: 85.8 inches
- Ground clearance: 11.2 inches
- Turning radius: 16.7 feet
- Curb weight: 1,586.9 pounds
- Fuel capacity: 7.9 gallons
- Seating capacity: Two
- Cargo-bed dimensions: 27.6 x 43.3 x 10.4 inches
- Cargo-bed capacity: 600 pounds
- Vehicle load capacity: 1,109 pounds
- Towing capacity: 1,300 pounds
Additional Teryx LE Equipment
- Four LED headlights
- Dual taillights with brake light
- Multi-function digital instrument display
- Speedometer, odometer and dual trip meters
- Fuel gauge, clock and hour meter
- Transmission, parking-brake and 4WD indicators
- Water-temperature and low-oil-pressure warning lights
- Candy Lime Green bodywork
- Kawasaki STRONG three-year limited warranty
- Optional Kawasaki Protection Plus coverage
Where the 2020 Teryx Fits in Kawasaki History
The 2020 Teryx was a mature version of the platform Kawasaki had introduced for 2014. It retained the same compact 85.8-inch wheelbase, 783cc V-twin and practical two-seat cargo layout that had established the model as a dependable recreational and adventure UTV.
Kawasaki expanded the family for 2021 with the wider, longer-travel Teryx S LE. That later model offered more suspension travel and a broader stance, but the standard 2020 Teryx remained appealing for riders who prioritized compact dimensions, tight-trail maneuverability and useful cargo capacity.
It should not be confused with the 2020 Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000, which was an entirely different 64-inch sport UTV built around a parallel-twin engine and long-travel suspension.
Visit the Kawasaki UTV section for more Teryx reviews, model history, specifications and Kawasaki side-by-side news.
