Introduced for the 2017 model year, this compact MULE nameplate marked Kawasaki’s move to give its utility side-by-side lineup a smaller, more affordable two-passenger workhorse alongside the larger MULE PRO machines. Kawasaki presented it as a rugged, value-focused entry in the MULE family, aimed at tight spaces, light-duty hauling, and buyers who wanted a compact utility vehicle that could still fit in the bed of a full-size pickup. From the start, the line included both basic 2WD and more capable 4x4-oriented variants, with trim and equipment levels broadening over time.
Unlike older MULE utility models that carried different numbering systems, this nameplate was launched as a distinct modern series and has remained in production continuously since its debut. Kawasaki’s own model timeline identifies the 2017 introduction as the start of the series, and current model-year listings show it still on sale today, so there is no confirmed ending year. Over its run, the model family has evolved through added trims and updates, but it has stayed true to its original role as the compact, maneuverable member of Kawasaki’s MULE lineup.