2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2 Brings 250 Supercharged Horsepower to a Two-Seat Sport UTV

Kawasaki is expanding its supercharged side-by-side lineup for 2027 with the introduction of the two-seat 2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2 and Teryx H2 Limited eS.

The new models take the 999cc supercharged four-cylinder engine introduced in the Kawasaki Teryx4 H2 and Teryx5 H2 and place it in a shorter, lighter two-seat chassis. The result is a 74-inch-wide sport UTV producing a claimed 250 horsepower and 146.2 lb-ft of torque.

Where the four- and five-seat Teryx H2 models were developed primarily around high-speed desert and dune performance, the two-seat Teryx H2 has a 101-inch wheelbase intended to make it more agile on tighter trails and technical terrain. It also adds Kawasaki Traction Control, while the Limited eS introduces an electronically controlled sway bar that works with the adaptive FOX suspension.

Pricing starts at $32,899 for the standard Teryx H2 and $41,399 for the Teryx H2 Limited eS.

2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2

Shorter Two-Seat Teryx H2 Platform

The biggest difference between the new Teryx H2 and the existing Teryx4 H2 and Teryx5 H2 is the shorter two-seat configuration.

The 2027 Teryx H2 measures 134.1 inches long, 74 inches wide and rides on a 101-inch wheelbase. That compact footprint should give it quicker directional response and a tighter turning radius than the longer four- and five-seat models.

Kawasaki also pushed the wheels toward the corners of the chassis. Approach and departure angles exceed 90 degrees, while the machine has a 34-degree breakover angle and 16.1 inches of ground clearance.

Estimated dry weight is 2,073 pounds for the standard model and 2,154 pounds for the Limited eS. Kawasaki does not list a claimed top speed.

Heavy-duty steel skid plates protect the underside, with additional steel guards covering key components. Kawasaki will also offer accessory HMW skid plates, A-arm guards, trailing-arm guards, rock sliders, nerf bars and several bumper choices for owners building the machine for more technical terrain.

2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2 – 250-Horsepower Supercharged Four-Cylinder Engine

250-Horsepower Supercharged Four-Cylinder Engine

Both versions of the Teryx H2 are powered by Kawasaki’s 999cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke inline-four engine. A mechanically driven centrifugal supercharger helps the engine produce a claimed 250 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 146.2 lb-ft of torque.

Because the supercharger is driven directly by the engine instead of relying on exhaust flow like a turbocharger, boost response should be immediate. Kawasaki says power builds smoothly and linearly from idle through the upper end of the engine’s 9,500-rpm operating range.

The supercharger uses a planetary gear train that spins its 2.72-inch impeller at 13.6 times crankshaft speed. At maximum engine speed, the impeller approaches 130,000 rpm.

Compressed air is routed through an intercooler positioned behind the seats and ahead of the cargo area. A dedicated electric fan begins operating at 3,000 rpm to help maintain consistent intake temperatures.

Four individual 40mm throttle bodies feed the engine, while a dual-injector fuel system uses downstream injectors for low-rpm response and additional upstream injectors above 5,000 rpm to support high-rpm power.

Dual front radiators and an 18-row liquid-cooled oil cooler help manage the heat generated by the high-output engine.

2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2 – High-Capacity CVT

High-Capacity CVT

Kawasaki pairs the supercharged engine with a high-capacity rubber-belt continuously variable transmission. Unlike the centrifugal-clutch-equipped Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000, the Teryx H2 uses a CVT-only arrangement designed to reduce rotating mass and deliver immediate acceleration.

The transmission uses a 17.6mm belt with an internal cog design intended to improve flexibility, strength and heat resistance. Kawasaki says the CVT cooling system moves twice as much air as the system used by the Teryx KRX 1000.

Drivers can monitor CVT temperature through the instrument display.

A gate-style shifter provides High, Low, Neutral and Reverse. Kawasaki also tuned the transmission to provide noticeable engine braking in Low range, which should improve control on technical descents.

Three Selectable Power Modes

Drivers can select from Full, Mid and Low engine power modes using a dashboard-mounted switch.

• Full: Provides access to the engine’s complete output.
• Mid: Reduces available output to approximately 80%.
• Low: Limits available output to approximately 60%.

The reduced-power settings should be useful on tighter trails, around camp or when loading the Teryx H2 into a trailer. Power modes can be changed while driving.

2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2

Kawasaki Traction Control

The two-seat Teryx H2 introduces Kawasaki Traction Control, or KTRC, to the company’s side-by-side lineup.

KTRC operates in 2WD and monitors wheelspin during acceleration. Kawasaki developed the system to reduce sudden engine-speed increases, limit excessive oversteer and help the driver hold an intended line when accelerating out of a corner.

Two intervention levels are available:

• Mode 1: Allows more power and reduces output to approximately 55% when the system intervenes.
• Mode 2: Provides stronger intervention and limits output to approximately 30%.
• Off: Allows the driver to disable KTRC completely.

The selected KTRC setting is retained when the driver switches from 4WD back into 2WD.

This is not a four-wheel traction-control system that independently brakes spinning wheels. It is an engine-management system designed to control rear-wheel spin while operating in 2WD.

Selectable 4WD and Front Differential Lock

The Teryx H2 provides three drivetrain settings: 2WD, 4WD and 4WD with the front differential locked.

Drivers can change modes using a dashboard switch. In locked 4WD, all four wheels are mechanically coupled to maximize traction when climbing, crossing uneven terrain or driving with one or more wheels unloaded.

KTRC is unavailable in either 4WD setting.

2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2 FOX 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks

Long-Travel FOX 3.0 Suspension

The standard Teryx H2 uses FOX 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks at all four corners.

Double-wishbone front suspension provides 23.2 inches of travel, while the rear four-link trailing-arm suspension delivers 24 inches. The internal-bypass shocks provide position-sensitive damping through three primary zones.

• Ride Zone: Allows freer fluid movement for comfort over smaller impacts.
• Bump Zone: Increases damping as the suspension compresses to help resist bottoming.
• Catch Zone: Adds rebound control near full extension to reduce harsh top-out.

The chassis has a 65-inch front track and 64-inch rear track. Kawasaki says the combination of a wide stance, 101-inch wheelbase and long suspension travel was selected to balance high-speed stability with the agility expected from a two-seat machine.

2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2

KECS+ Suspension and Electronic Sway Bar

The Teryx H2 Limited eS receives Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension + E-Sway Bar, abbreviated KECS+.

The system combines electronically controlled FOX 3.0 Live Valve Internal Bypass shocks with a FOX Live Valve Sway Bar Disconnect. It is the first Kawasaki side-by-side to use an electronically controlled sway bar.

Suspension acceleration sensors are mounted on the front suspension arms and rear trailing arms below the shocks. These sensors detect wheel movement and terrain changes before those inputs reach the vehicle’s main inertial measurement unit.

Kawasaki says the suspension-mounted sensors can detect certain terrain inputs up to 40% faster than a KECS system relying on the body-mounted IMU alone.

Drivers can select three suspension modes using controls on the steering wheel:

• Firm: Increases compression damping and sway-bar resistance to reduce body roll during aggressive, higher-speed driving.
• Sport: Balances roll control, bump absorption and ride comfort for mixed terrain.
• Comfort: Uses softer damping and allows greater articulation for rough, lower-speed trails and technical terrain.

The electronic sway bar does more than simply connect or disconnect. Its resistance is continuously adjusted with the shock damping according to the selected mode, vehicle speed, steering angle, throttle position, gear selection, suspension movement and IMU data.

This should give the Limited eS a meaningful advantage when transitioning between high-speed cornering and slower terrain where independent wheel movement becomes more important. Our Kawasaki Teryx4 H2 first-ride review provides additional insight into the performance of Kawasaki’s supercharged engine and electronically controlled FOX suspension in a longer chassis.

33-Inch MAXXIS Carnivore Plus Tires

Both models ride on 33-inch MAXXIS Carnivore Plus tires mounted on 16-inch aluminum wheels.

The Carnivore Plus was developed for the higher speed and output of the Teryx H2. Kawasaki says it retains the all-terrain character of the standard Carnivore while adding a higher speed rating and tuning intended to balance traction with predictable rear-wheel sliding.

The standard Teryx H2 receives flow-formed aluminum wheels, while the Limited eS adds beadlock wheels.

Ground clearance is listed at 16.1 inches.

Large Four-Wheel Disc Brakes

Stopping power comes from 270mm petal-style steel rotors at all four corners.

Three-piston front calipers use 34-38-34mm pistons, while twin-piston rear calipers use 38mm pistons. Kawasaki designed the hydraulic system to begin applying the rear brakes before the front brakes for more progressive pedal response.

A mechanical parking-brake lever operates the rear brakes.

Two-Seat Automotive-Style Interior

The Teryx H2 cockpit provides seating for two adults, with both bucket seats adjustable through a six-inch range.

The seats are positioned approximately 10mm lower at the hips than those in the Teryx4 H2 and Teryx5 H2. This reduces the occupants’ seating height and is intended to lessen the effect of lateral forces during cornering.

Both seats include retractable four-point harnesses. A wide, adjustable T-handle is provided for the passenger.

The D-shaped steering wheel has 43 degrees of tilt adjustment, and the steering reaches full lock in less than one complete rotation. Speed-sensitive electric power steering provides greater assistance at low speeds while reducing assistance as speed increases.

The Limited eS adds steering-wheel controls for its suspension and audio systems.

Seven-inch color TFT instrument display

Seven-Inch TFT Instrument Display

A seven-inch color TFT instrument display is standard on both versions. Positioned behind the steering wheel, it can display:

• Vehicle speed and engine rpm
• Fuel level
• Gear selection
• 2WD, 4WD and differential-lock status
• Full, Mid or Low power mode
• CVT temperature
• Boost pressure
• Engine and intake-air temperatures
• Battery voltage
• Trip and maintenance information

The Limited eS display also shows the selected KECS+ suspension mode.

Accessory front and rear cameras can be displayed on the TFT screen. When the rear camera is installed, selecting Reverse automatically brings up the rear view.

A dashboard-mounted jog dial controls the instrument functions and camera zoom.

Garmin Tread

Garmin Tread, Audio and Roof on the Limited eS

The Teryx H2 Limited eS adds a 10-inch Garmin Tread display integrated into the center of the dashboard.

The Garmin system provides off-road navigation, group-ride capability, vehicle information, pitch-and-roll displays, smartphone notifications and media controls.

An audio system is also standard on the Limited eS. It includes a 6.5-inch IP67-rated speaker in each door and two IP67-rated two-inch tweeters in the dashboard. An accessory 10-inch, 170-watt subwoofer can be installed beneath the passenger seat.

The Limited eS also includes a plastic roof, beadlock wheels and model-specific interior and exterior trim.

Kawasaki lists a separate accessory interactive display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the Teryx H2 lineup. The standard Garmin Tread system should not be confused with that optional CarPlay and Android Auto display.

Storage and Cargo Capacity

A lidded dashboard compartment contains two USB-C charging ports, while the passenger-side glovebox includes a 120-watt DC power outlet.

The standard model has an additional center-console storage pocket. That space is occupied by the Garmin display on the Limited eS.

A recessed carrier behind the seats is rated to hold 300 pounds. The carrier measures approximately 14.6 inches long, 33.1 inches wide and 9.1 inches deep, with four integrated tie-down points.

Available cargo accessories include a rear cargo or spare-tire rack, low-profile storage box, soft center bag and Kawasaki Quick Release tail box.

2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2 Pricing and Colors

The Limited eS costs $8,500 more than the standard model. That premium adds KECS+ electronic suspension, the FOX electronic sway bar, beadlock wheels, Garmin Tread navigation, integrated audio, a roof and additional premium trim.

2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2 Specifications

First Look: A More Versatile Supercharged Teryx

The two-seat Teryx H2 is more than a shorter version of Kawasaki’s four- and five-seat supercharged machines.

Its 101-inch wheelbase, full front differential lock, 33-inch tires and 16.1 inches of ground clearance indicate Kawasaki wants the new model to work beyond open desert and dune terrain. KTRC should make its 250 horsepower more manageable in 2WD, while the selectable power modes give drivers another way to calm the machine when full output is unnecessary.

The most interesting development may be the Limited eS model’s electronic sway bar. Combining adaptive FOX 3.0 shocks with continuously adjustable roll control could allow the suspension to remain compliant over rocks and uneven trails without giving up the flatter handling needed at higher speeds.

At $32,899, the standard Teryx H2 provides the same supercharged engine, long-travel suspension and core chassis at a substantially lower price. The $41,399 Limited eS is aimed at buyers who want the complete electronics, navigation, audio and semi-active suspension package.

The new two-seat model represents another major step in the evolution of the Kawasaki Teryx, which began with the original V-twin Teryx for the 2008 model year and has expanded to include recreational, technical-trail and high-performance supercharged platforms.

We will have more to report once we get behind the wheel and see how the shorter chassis, traction control and KECS+ suspension perform in real off-road conditions.