2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2: What Changes With the New Two-Seater?

Kawasaki didn't wait long to expand its supercharged Teryx H2 lineup.

After introducing the four- and five-passenger Teryx H2 platform for 2026, Kawasaki is following it with something a lot of riders were probably expecting: a two-seat version.

The new 2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2 carries over the 999cc supercharged inline-four and its claimed 250 horsepower, but putting that engine into a shorter, lighter two-seat chassis changes the formula considerably.

The wheelbase shrinks by 25 inches compared with the Teryx4 H2. Overall length drops by more than two feet. Kawasaki also cuts more than 200 pounds of estimated dry weight while retaining the same 74-inch width, 33-inch tires, and more than 23 inches of suspension travel.

So this isn't simply a Teryx4 H2 with the back seats removed.

Here's what changed with the new two-seater, what stayed the same, and how the 2027 Teryx H2 compares with the Teryx4 H2.

In This Article

• What Is the 2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2?

• 2027 Teryx H2 vs. Teryx4 H2: Specs at a Glance

• A 101-Inch Wheelbase Changes the Package

• Same 250-HP Supercharged Engine

• Suspension, Tires and Ground Clearance

• Kawasaki Adds Traction Control

• What Changes Inside the Two-Seater?

• Teryx H2 vs. Teryx4 H2: Which Makes More Sense?

• Base Teryx H2 vs. Limited eS

• Protecting the Teryx H2 Platform

• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the 2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2?

The 2027 Teryx H2 is Kawasaki's new two-passenger entry in its high-performance supercharged side-by-side lineup.

At its center is the same basic powerplant found in the Teryx4 H2: a liquid-cooled, 999cc DOHC inline-four with Kawasaki's centrifugal supercharger.

Kawasaki rates the engine at 250 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 146.3 lb-ft of torque at 8,800 rpm. Power goes through a high-capacity CVT with High, Low, Neutral and Reverse, while the selectable drivetrain provides 2WD, 4WD and 4WD with a locking front differential.

There are also Full, Mid and Low power modes.

Where the new machine separates itself is the chassis surrounding that drivetrain.

The Teryx H2 seats two people rather than four, uses a 101-inch wheelbase and measures 134.1 inches long. Kawasaki lists the base machine at an estimated dry weight of 2,085.9 pounds.

For comparison, the 2026 Teryx4 H2 stretches 159.4 inches long on a 126-inch wheelbase and weighs an estimated 2,291 pounds dry.

That makes the new H2 considerably more compact without giving up the engine that made the original H2 platform interesting in the first place.

2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2 vs. Teryx4 H2: Specs at a Glance

Despite looking considerably shorter from the side, the two machines share more hardware than you might expect.

*Specifications and pricing are based on Kawasaki's published U.S. information and are subject to change.

The engine output, width, tire size, suspension travel, fuel capacity and cargo-bed rating are effectively unchanged.

The dimensions are where things get interesting.

A 101-Inch Wheelbase Changes the Package

The most important number on the new Teryx H2 spec sheet might not be 250 horsepower.

It might be 101 inches.

That's the wheelbase of the new two-seater, compared with 126 inches for the Teryx4 H2—a reduction of 25 inches.

Overall length follows almost exactly the same pattern. The Teryx H2 measures 134.1 inches from end to end compared with 159.4 inches for the four-seater.

The shorter chassis also reduces Kawasaki's listed turning radius from 24.9 feet to 21.3 feet.

Those aren't small dimensional changes.

A shorter wheelbase generally favors maneuverability and makes it easier for a vehicle to change direction, while a longer wheelbase can favor straight-line stability and provides the room needed for additional passengers. In this case, Kawasaki has specifically described the two-seat chassis around more nimble and precise handling.

Early independent testing supports that direction. Dirt Wheels, after driving the Limited eS on tight wooded trails and a short course in Georgia, specifically highlighted the 101-inch wheelbase and quick steering as major contributors to how easily the two-seater changed direction.

That's an important distinction, because the Teryx H2 hasn't become a narrow trail machine.

It's still 74 inches wide.

Kawasaki kept the wide stance and long-travel suspension of the H2 platform while taking more than two feet out of the wheelbase.

More Than 200 Pounds Lighter

Shortening the chassis also removes a meaningful amount of weight.

Kawasaki lists the 2027 Teryx H2 at 2,085.9 pounds estimated dry weight, compared with 2,291 pounds for the 2026 Teryx4 H2.

That's a difference of about 205 pounds.

And the engine isn't being detuned to compensate.

Both machines are rated at the same 250 horsepower and 146.3 lb-ft of torque, which means the two-seater has less listed dry weight for the same claimed engine output.

That doesn't automatically tell us how much quicker the new machine is—Kawasaki doesn't publish an official 0–60 time, and RokBlokz hasn't driven the two-seater—so we're not going to invent one.

But from the specifications alone, it's clear that Kawasaki has put the same power into a more compact and lighter package.

Same 250-HP Supercharged Engine

While the chassis changed substantially, Kawasaki didn't need to reinvent the engine.

The Teryx H2 and Teryx4 H2 both use a 999cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve inline-four with dual fuel injection and Kawasaki's centrifugal supercharger.

Maximum output remains:

• 250 hp at 9,000 rpm

• 146.3 lb-ft of torque at 8,800 rpm

Kawasaki's supercharger is mechanically driven by the engine rather than powered by exhaust gases like a conventional turbocharger. The design traces its roots to Kawasaki's supercharged H2 motorcycle technology and is intended to provide immediate, linear power delivery.

That power is managed through the same basic combination of a high-capacity CVT, selectable 2WD/4WD, locking front differential and three selectable power modes.

Full mode provides access to maximum engine output, while Mid and Low modes give the driver less aggressive power options when all 250 horsepower isn't necessary.

For riders comparing the two machines, that's probably the simplest way to think about the drivetrain:

The engine isn't the reason to choose one over the other.

The chassis and seating configuration are.

Suspension, Tires and Ground Clearance Stay Familiar

Kawasaki didn't shrink the suspension along with the wheelbase.

The base 2027 Teryx H2 uses FOX 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks with adjustable compression damping and spring preload.

Travel measures:

• 23.2 inches up front

• 24 inches in the rear

Those numbers are identical to the base Teryx4 H2.

The two-seater also retains 33x10R16 Maxxis Carnivore Plus tires at all four corners and 16-inch aluminum wheels.

Standard ground clearance is listed at 16.1 inches, while Kawasaki lists a maximum figure of 16.9 inches for the new two-seater. The 2026 Teryx4 H2 lists the same 16.1-inch standard clearance with a 16.5-inch maximum figure.

Braking hardware remains substantial as well, with 270mm hydraulic discs at all four corners, three-piston front calipers and two-piston rear calipers.

So while the wheelbase and weight have changed, Kawasaki didn't turn the two-seater into a smaller-duty version of the H2.

It still has the tire size, suspension travel and width of the larger machine.

Kawasaki Adds KTRC Traction Control

One of the more interesting differences isn't visible in the dimensions.

The 2027 Teryx H2 adds Kawasaki TRaction Control, or KTRC, while Kawasaki's published specifications for the 2026 base Teryx4 H2 list Power Modes and the Economical Riding Indicator but not KTRC.

This version of KTRC was developed specifically for Kawasaki side-by-sides and operates in 2WD. The system monitors rear-wheel traction and can intervene when it detects sudden increases in engine speed.

The idea isn't simply to kill wheelspin. Kawasaki says the system is designed to help manage vehicle attitude under acceleration and reduce excessive rear-end slide.

Drivers can choose between two levels of intervention or turn the system off.

That makes KTRC particularly interesting on this machine. Kawasaki has taken the same 250-hp engine, removed more than 200 pounds and shortened the wheelbase by 25 inches. Adding another way to manage that power makes absolute sense.

The Limited eS takes the electronics considerably further, which we'll get to below.

What Changes Inside the Two-Seater?

Obviously, two seats disappear. Shocker, we know.

But Kawasaki didn't simply cut off the rear passenger compartment and call it finished.

The Teryx H2 uses two high-backed bucket seats with four-point restraints, and the driving position can be adjusted through Kawasaki's ERGO-FIT system.

Kawasaki also retains the 7-inch full-color TFT display with smartphone connectivity through RIDEOLOGY THE APP POWERSPORTS.

The cabin includes USB ports, a DC outlet, cup holders and additional storage.

One interesting consequence of removing the second row is additional usable space behind the occupants. Dirt Wheels noted this during its first drive, reporting enough room behind the seats for riding gear and other smaller cargo even with the seats adjusted rearward.

The rear cargo bed itself doesn't lose capacity compared with the four-seater.

Both the Teryx H2 and Teryx4 H2 have a 300-pound cargo-bed rating, and Kawasaki lists the same 14.6 x 33.1 x 9.1-inch bed dimensions for both.

What does change is total payload capacity.

Kawasaki rates the two-seat Teryx H2 at 732 pounds, while the Teryx4 H2 is rated for 1,076 pounds.

That's worth remembering if your typical trips involve more people, more gear, or both.

2027 Teryx H2 vs. Teryx4 H2: Which One Makes More Sense?

Neither machine automatically replaces the other.

They solve different problems.

Choose the Teryx H2 if:

You normally ride with one passenger or solo and would rather have the shorter chassis.

The two-seater gives you the same 250-hp engine, same 74-inch width, same 33-inch tires and same suspension travel in a machine that's roughly 25 inches shorter between the axles and more than 200 pounds lighter based on Kawasaki's dry-weight figures.

Its 21.3-foot turning radius is also tighter than the Teryx4 H2's 24.9 feet.

For riders who don't need a second row, those are meaningful differences.

Choose the Teryx4 H2 if:

You actually use the additional seating.

The Teryx4 H2 carries four people, offers a substantially higher payload capacity and delivers the same supercharged engine performance without forcing you to choose between passengers.

The longer wheelbase is also part of the machine's character rather than simply a disadvantage. Depending on terrain and driving style, the additional length can be beneficial for stability and ride behavior.

And if you're shopping purely by horsepower, neither machine has an advantage.

Both give you 250hp.

The decision is really about how many people you carry and what kind of chassis you want around that engine.

Base Teryx H2 vs. Teryx H2 Limited eS

Kawasaki is offering the new two-seater in two versions for 2027.

The base Teryx H2 starts at $32,899, while the Teryx H2 Limited eS starts at $41,399.

That's an $8,500 jump, but the Limited eS is more than a cosmetic trim package.

The base model comes with manually adjustable FOX 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks and conventional 16-inch aluminum wheels.

The Limited eS adds Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension + E-Sway Bar (KECS+), using FOX 3.0 Live Valve Internal Bypass shocks with electronically controlled compression damping.

The system also incorporates an electronically controlled sway-bar function to alter chassis behavior depending on the situation.

Limited eS models also add:

• 10-inch Garmin Tread off-road navigation

• 16-inch aluminum beadlock wheels

• Plastic roof

• IMU-enhanced chassis orientation awareness

• Additional electronic suspension control

Both versions retain the same 250-hp engine, 101-inch wheelbase, 33-inch Maxxis tires and core two-seat layout.

So once again, you're not paying for more horsepower.

You're paying for more chassis technology and equipment.

What About the Teryx KRX 1000?

Kawasaki now has two very different two-seat machines carrying the Teryx name.

The Teryx KRX 1000 remains in the lineup with its naturally aspirated 999cc parallel-twin, while the new Teryx H2 uses the 999cc supercharged inline-four.

That makes the H2 a substantial step up in claimed engine output, but horsepower isn't the only distinction between the two platforms.

The KRX was built around a different engine, chassis and suspension package and occupies a different price point. The new H2 doesn't simply replace it.

For shoppers, the bigger question is likely whether the extra performance and technology of the H2 justify the price difference for the kind of riding they actually do.

That's a comparison worth exploring on its own rather than squeezing it into a few paragraphs here.

Protecting the Teryx H2 Platform

More horsepower doesn't make rocks, mud and trail debris disappear.

If anything, 33-inch tires and a 74-inch-wide stance give the machine plenty of opportunity to move debris around when conditions get messy.

We've already had the Teryx4 H2 in the RokBlokz shop while developing protection products for the four-seat platform. That includes products designed around controlling debris thrown from the tires and protecting vulnerable areas of the machine.

The new two-seat Teryx H2 shares a number of specifications and components with the Teryx4 H2, but it is also a different chassis.

For that reason, we're not going to assume that every Teryx4 H2 product automatically fits the new two-seater.

As new fitment information becomes available, we'll update our Kawasaki Teryx H2 coverage accordingly.

The Two-Seater Is More Than a Shorter Teryx4 H2

The easiest way to describe the 2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2 is as a two-seat version of the Teryx4 H2.

Technically, that's true.

But it misses what Kawasaki actually changed.

The new machine keeps the 250-hp supercharged engine, 74-inch width, 33-inch tires, long-travel suspension, 14.8-gallon fuel tank and 300-pound cargo-bed capacity.

Then Kawasaki takes 25 inches out of the wheelbase, removes more than 200 pounds of listed dry weight, tightens the turning radius and adds KTRC traction control.

That's a considerably different package around the same engine.

The Teryx4 H2 still makes more sense when four seats are part of the requirement. But if they aren't, the new two-seater offers the H2 platform in a shorter and lighter configuration without giving up the headline numbers that made the four-seater stand out.

And that may be the most important change of all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much horsepower does the 2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2 have?

Kawasaki rates the 2027 Teryx H2 at 250 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 146.3 lb-ft of torque at 8,800 rpm from its 999cc supercharged inline-four. Kawasaki notes that its horsepower figure is measured using the ISO 4106 standard.

What is the wheelbase of the 2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2?

The two-seat Teryx H2 has a 101-inch wheelbase. That's 25 inches shorter than the 126-inch wheelbase of the 2026 Teryx4 H2.

How much does the 2027 Teryx H2 weigh?

Kawasaki lists the base 2027 Teryx H2 at an estimated 2,085.9 pounds dry. The 2026 Teryx4 H2 is listed at 2,291 pounds dry, making the base two-seater approximately 205 pounds lighter based on Kawasaki's published figures.

How wide is the Kawasaki Teryx H2?

The 2027 Teryx H2 is 74 inches wide, the same published overall width as the Teryx4 H2.

What is the difference between the Teryx H2 and Teryx4 H2?

The biggest differences are seating capacity, wheelbase, overall length, weight, payload capacity, turning radius and some of the available electronic technology. Both machines use Kawasaki's 999cc supercharged inline-four rated at 250 horsepower and share the same 74-inch width, 33-inch tires, suspension-travel figures and 300-pound cargo-bed capacity.

How much does the 2027 Kawasaki Teryx H2 cost?

The base 2027 Teryx H2 has a starting MSRP of $32,899. The more heavily equipped Teryx H2 Limited eS starts at $41,399. Destination charges, dealer fees, taxes and optional equipment are additional.

Does the 2027 Teryx H2 have traction control?

Yes. The 2027 Teryx H2 includes Kawasaki TRaction Control (KTRC), a side-by-side-specific system designed to help manage rear-wheel traction in 2WD. Kawasaki provides two intervention modes, and the system can also be switched off.

Sources: Kawasaki.com. Dirtwheelsmag.com.