Kawasaki Mule

Specification

The Kawasaki Mule is perhaps one of the oldest and most recognised UTV names in the industry. Having been absent from the Irish market for a while, Co Wexford firm South East Quad Centre (sister company of Quad-Attack) is now the Irish agent.

The Mule is quite plain looking, yet functional. Our test machine featured just a roll frame, while a roof panel and the windscreen are options.

Two large and sealed pockets in the dash console provide ample storage space for odds and ends. A bench seat provides seating for three, while power is provided by a quiet-running three-cylinder Daihatsu engine. Four-wheel drive and both forward and reverse speeds are selected manually.

Its load capacity, towing capacity and weight are lower than the John Deere 855D. It has the smallest turning circle of all the UTVs tested and features power steering as standard. The sides of its large load bed can be removed by unbolting to give a flat load bed area.

Driving

The Kawasaki Mule is most like a 4x4 to drive and handle. It is smooth, responsive and steady. Ground clearance is not hectic, yet it ploughs steadily through wet and mucky patches.

Manoeuvring was good and with the sharpest lock of all on test, it was surprisingly agile. Rear-leaf suspension reflected the robust and steady nature of the Mule. A front screen and roof though would be the minimum requirement for our climate.

Time trial

The Mule’s deceptive steadiness almost understated its abilities. It was the second fastest of the diesels around the time trial course, with the Polaris being the faster.

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