Kawasaki introduced this compact utility side-by-side for the 2005 model year as the smaller, more maneuverable member of the MULE lineup. It was aimed at buyers who wanted a practical work vehicle with a modest footprint, easy transportability, and the familiar truck-like utility that defined the MULE family. Kawasaki’s own history materials describe the launch as the arrival of the MULE 610 4x4 alongside the related 600, noting the new 401 cc engine, updated bodywork, and more rugged suspension that set the compact pair apart from earlier MULE generations.
The model’s significance within the lineup was its blend of size and capability. It was the first in its class to offer selectable 2WD and 4WD, and Kawasaki positioned it as a versatile machine that could still fit in the bed of a full-size pickup for hauling between job sites or storage areas. That combination made it a practical fit for farms, property maintenance, light commercial use, and general utility work.
Kawasaki later expanded the concept with the MULE 610 4x4 XC, which added a more off-road-oriented appearance and larger tires for greater ground clearance and rough-terrain use. Across the run, the nameplate remained part of Kawasaki’s compact workhorse strategy rather than a performance-focused branch of the MULE family.
The model appears to have remained in production through the 2016 model year, after which Kawasaki shifted the compact utility slot to the MULE SX nameplate beginning with the 2017 model year. That makes this a single continuous production run, not a revived nameplate.