Are you in the market for a luxury jet ski? The Kawasaki 310 Series is the flagship range of this manufacturing brand. However, the 310 Series is expensive to run and maintain. The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX offers you a luxury alternative to the 310 Series, with a nominally-aspirated engine for a better economy out of the motor.
You get amazing power and a stable ride with a durable hull and fast acceleration. Kawasaki outdid itself with this revamp. The new model comes with the highly-anticipated reverse lever for braking and reversing the jet ski.
The updated styling on this model looks impressive, and the luxury seat provides a comfortable ride for up to three passengers. Kawasaki waited a long time to update this ski, but is the wait worth it? Do the upgrades and redesigns make sense, or is it all for a show?
This review unpacks everything you need to know about the all-new 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX. Are you ready? Let’s dive in.
Contents
Design Overview
The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX offers you an entry-level luxury jet ski at an affordable price. You get the same hull as the Ultra 310 Series, allowing for impressive control and handling of the ski in tight turns.
The hull allows for a chop-busting ride that tracks well, even in offshore waters and rough water. The Ultra offers you a confidence-building ride, and it’s a great choice for all water conditions, from the lake to the ocean.
The jet ski feels surprisingly large when considering its dimensions, providing excellent handling in the most demanding scenarios. The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX offers you the best of cruising and performance wrapped into a single package at an affordable price.
The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX is as agile on flat water as it is in the ocean. Take it out onto the lake for a spin and lean into your turns. You’ll find that the Ultra responds well, with an agile reflex and excellent maneuverability considering the girth of the ski.
We would like to see the electronic trim control you get with the Ultra 310 Series, but unfortunately, you can’t have it all. It’s also interesting that the ski handles well at all speeds despite the lack of trim control.
The Ultra LX performs like a sports model, and it has the look of a sleeper ski. You get a luxury plush seat with high backrests for comfort and up to three passengers. The new Ultra comes with integrated mirrors, a re-mount step for the swim platform, adjustable handlebars, high-quality deck mats, and a beautiful paint finish with Kawasaki decals.
Engine
The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX comes with a 1,498cc, liquid-cooled In-line 4-cylinder Ninja Supersport engine. You get an output of 160-Hp at 7,500-rpm, offering you powerful performance out of such a small motor.
Despite its high performance, this model meets CARB regulations, producing ultra-low emissions levels. The Ultra borrows the reinforcement design of the engine from the flagship Ultra 310LX ensuring you get excellent reliability and a durable frame.
The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX features a 60-mm throttle body and digital fuel injection. The result is excellent throttle response and a smooth and powerful power curve with fast acceleration on the water. The high-flow injectors provide the motor with the fuel to unleash peak performance.
The 160-Hp motor produces excellent mid-range and low-range torque, making the ski feel responsive. The engine design features a dual overhead cam (DOHC) system, making for a lightweight, compact valve train and less inertial mass.
The four-cylinder engine provides better intake and exhaust flow, resulting in more torque and power in accelerating the PWC. The exhaust and intake valves and timing are set to reduce emissions. The intake tract in the fuel system features design for maximum performance out on the water.
You get a waterproof ECU and ignition coil protecting the ignition from electrical shorts. The innovative semi-dry sump oil system lowers the center of gravity in the crankshaft, eliminating the need for a scavenger pump while keeping the oil in the sump instead of flooding the motor during a capsize.
The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX features a large airbox lowering the engine noise while improving the air intake flow.
The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX has surprisingly good fuel economy, and you can expect an easy start. You get the same large 80L fuel tank in the new Ultra you do in the updated 310 Series. The result is an excellent range from the ski’s mind-blowing fuel economy.
The motor tops out at speeds of 55-mph while retaining the low-end power from the engine. As a result, the Ultra LX is more than capable of handling towing for wakesports. Unlike the Ultra 310 Series, this model features a naturally-aspirated engine. There’s no supercharger, so you can expect it to use less fuel.
Interestingly, the lack of a supercharger removes the “touchiness” in the engine’s performance. The result is a better throttle response than the 310 series, and you’ll find the throttle offers smooth response to subtle speed changes.
The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX features three selectable power modes, full, middle, and low. You also have the “ECO” mode for better fuel consumption, and the key-activated SLO (Smart Learning Operation) is available. Set your ski up to yo8ur rider preferences, and the system remembers your settings for the next session.
Like the new 310 Series, the 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX comes with the much-anticipated launch control. The lunch mode function allows for fast starts by optimizing acceleration through auto-adjustment of the trim to match the jet skis’ speed.
You also can select “single” mode, allowing you to set a lunch for racing that leaves the other racers in your spray. The “repeat” allows you the set up the launch control to activate every time you open the throttle from a slow speed.
The Smart Learning Operation (SLO)-Mode function lets new riders and learners familiarize themselves with the response and handling of the PWC. They get a relaxed rider experience that builds confidence. The Ultra comes with two keys, one for the ignition and one for activating SLO-mode. So, there’s no chance of you confusing the two.
Along with the launch control, Kawasaki added the much-anticipated reverse gear. The right handlebar comes with a trigger for accelerating and a thumb lever positioned below the accelerator to activate the reverse gear. Kawasaki Smart Reverse with Deceleration (KSRD) allows you to control the motor’s thrust with a single hand.
After depressing the reverse lever, you’ll use the trim buttons to increase or decrease your engine rpm. This feature allows you to adjust the thrust, allowing for precision control of the ski while in the marina and docking. Releasing the thumb lever sends the jet ski back to neutral with the engine idling.
Hull
The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX comes with the same high-performance hull as the Ultra 310 Series. The Ultra LX hull design hasn’t changed much since its introduction in 2007. The hull design incorporates feedback from the Kawasaki Racing team, providing responsive handling and excellent tracking in rough water conditions.
The updated hull design offers neutral handling and turning, giving the jet ski a lightweight feel and excellent response in tight turns. The high-bank angle allows you to lean into the turns, keeping your center of gravity low to prevent the jet ski from throwing you into the water in a sharp turn.
The bottom of the hull features ridges running the length from the bow to the stern. The new Kawasaki Splash Deflectors deflect any water splashing under the hull, preventing it from spraying across the bow of the PWC at speed.
There’s a fourth splash deflector on the top of the bow for reducing spray while turning at speed. The Quattro KSD enhances ride comfort by mitigating spray from under the bow, whether you’re blasting ahead or leaning into a deep turn.
The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX features a V-hull design with a 22.5-degree angle to prevent spinouts while making tight turns. Even in rough open water conditions, you get a responsive and smooth ride from the Ultra. Kawasaki placed the battery in the center of the jet ski, optimizing the weight balance of the PWC. Positioning the battery in the center increases the jet skis storage capacity.
Sponsons jut out from the hull and fins along the bumpers to stabilize the straight-line performance of the PWC. As a result, you get minimal porpoising at the start. The fins and sponsons also enhance the jet skis turning ability and handling, allowing for high-speed turns on a dime.
Seating and Deck
The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX comes with an updated 7-inch screen and a design and configuration taken from the 310 Series. The display can queue GPS navigation, and you get Bluetooth connectivity, with the screen allowing you to check messages and calls.
The screen brightness adjusts automatically to the lighting, and you’ll always have a visible screen with no washout under direct sunlight. You get a plush slide-lock seat with two high-back seats and a center seat for a third passenger.
The deck gets a redesign, and there’s plenty of space in the footwells. The stern features a swim platform, and there’s a retractable step allowing you to climb out of the water and onto the ski with ease.
If you opt for the LX Trimline, you also have the option of fitting the rearview camera. You get a 155-degree horizontal view and a 115-degree vertical view. Keep your eyes on the rider through the digital display. You also get a JetSound audio system with four speakers, powered by a 200-watt amplifier.
The seats feature a contoured design with an ergonomic fit. You get comfortable accommodation for three passengers, and you can compress the seat’s steps, allowing you to shift to the rear during launch-assisted pull-offs with strong acceleration.
The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX has impressive storage space for your gear. You get a fully-sealed 206L storage compartment with loads of room for your equipment. There’s also a detachable storage unit for added storage capacity.
The under-seat rear grip for passengers features a compact storage space for tools and small devices. The all-digital instrumentation features control of the sound system using a dedicated dial instead of a toggle switch.
We like the integration of the 5-position handlebar taken from the 310 Series. You get a comfortable rider position for sitting, standing, or crouching.
Pricing
The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX has a steep price tag, but it’s in line with other high-performance luxury models from leading manufacturing brands. The Ultra 310X retails for $22,299 and the Ultra 310 LX model costs $24,299.
2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX – The Verdict
The 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX is a great upgrade to its predecessor. If you don’t want to pay the high price for the 310 Series, then this model is a great alternative. To be honest, who needs a supercharger when you have features like launch control and a motor that offers a top speed approaching 60-mph?
Overall, the 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX gives you a great option for a luxury jet ski. From the seating to the digital controls and the 4-way JetSound speaker system, you get a range of new additions and revamps to the looks and functionality of the ski.
If you’re looking for a comfortable ride, plenty of power on tap, and the ability to do wakesports, the 2022 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX is great for your new jet ski. Considering the discounted price compared to the 310 Series, we think this ski is one of the best deals in the luxury category.
