Kawasaki introduced this nameplate for the 2009 model year as part of the broader MULE 4000 Series, marking a new chapter in its long-running utility-vehicle line. The 4000 arrived with a more truck-like, work-focused look and was positioned as a practical, mid-size two-passenger machine for jobsite, farm, and property-use duties. Kawasaki’s own history pages describe the 4000 Series as a major step forward for the MULE concept, highlighting fuel injection on the gasoline models and, on 4WD versions, speed-sensitive electric power steering for easier low-speed maneuvering and more natural handling. Over time, the 4000 became one of the core modern MULE utility models, sitting alongside related 4010 variants and the TRANS versions. It remains part of Kawasaki’s current MULE lineup, so there is no confirmed final model year for the nameplate at this time. The 4000 is best understood as the compact, no-nonsense workhorse version of Kawasaki’s utility-family evolution that began in the late 20th century and continued into the present day.
MODEL HISTORY