A New Mule In The Stable

By: Dan Miller

Kawasaki — now with 50 years of manufacturing history in the U.S. — has added a new MULE to its off-road line. Built to replace the venerable MULE 610 4×4, the 2017 MULE SX (the S for small, the X from strong) fits into the “value” end of the side-by-side market with a bit of rugged styling thrown in for extra measure.

During a test drive at Ancient Peaks Winery (cattle and wine grapes), outside Santa Margarita, California, the MULE SX performed well in a variety of terrains, including steep uphill climbs. For a side-by-side, this machine also has an especially tight turning radius of 10.8 feet. The compact MULE SX carries two people comfortably.

Three nice in-cab features are the four-point, adjustable steering wheel (29 degrees of tilt and the same wheel found in MULE Pro series) and an LCD, dash-mounted fuel gauge. Under the flip up seat, operators have easy access to the air box (housing an oiled filter) and oil reservoir.

The MULE SX is not a speedster (it is governed to a speed of 25 miles per hour), but it is not meant to be an off-road sprinter. The two- and four-seat MULE PROS are better adapted for that environment. But that’s not to diminish the SX’s off-road utility. The MULE SX develops good torque, 21.7 foot-pounds at 2400 rpms. It features a rear locked differential option for improved traction. The MULE’s air intake snorkel is routed up through the center top tube of its roll over protection structure. The intake configuration delivers clean air in highly dusty and dirty environment to the continuously variable transmission and to the engine.