2008 Kawasaki Teryx 750 4x4 Photo Gallery

Eager to take a slice out of the RUV pie, Kawasaki has released an all-new player in the side-by-side game - the 2008 Teryx 750 4x4.

In 4wd with the Variable Front Differential Control fully locked, the Teryx offers true, 100-percent 4WD allowing it to climb up over obstacles that you otherwise wouldn't be able to in your $50,000 4x4 pickup.

There's plenty of space between the driver and the compact, padded steering wheel with all of the various controls well placed within the drivers reach.

Instrumentation is limited to just a parking brake, 4WD, and high-coolant temperature indicator lights, as well as a digital engine hour meter.

Dual front 200mm disc brakes with two-piston 27mm calipers supplement the engines’ electronic engine braking system and are neatly recessed inside the steel wheels, sheltering them from debris and other trail hazards.

Ground clearance is a lofty 11.2 inches, which allows the Teryx to comfortably sail over large trail hazards.

Steering is precise and very neutral feeling. In 2WD there isn't a hint of understeer, which makes it possible for the driver to spin up the rear wheels and 'steer with the rear' quite effectively.

Engineers designed the machine’s wheelbase at 76-inches and overall width at 58.7-inches. This gives the Teryx to a long, wide footprint out on the trail, yet it can still fit in the bed of a full-size pickup truck.

The liquid-cooled engine still had plenty of grunt to lug us (including our camera gear and spare wheels/tires) around and was plenty capable of getting back in motion after parking on steep sandy inclines.

Kawasaki engineers strategically mounted the engine in the middle of the chassis between the driver and passenger seats. This helps keep the chassis balanced front-to-rear, especially in the air.

An independent, double-wishbone setup handles rear suspension duties and is dampened via gas-charged Kayaba coil-over shocks which also feature remote reservoirs with 7.2-inches of travel. The IRS also incorporates a torsion bar which helps to eliminate body roll.

Throttle response is smooth and accurate which makes modulating the throttle in a power slide ridiculously easy.

The Teryx is like a mini-tank. It crawls right over inclines and small obstacles.

The standard we tested has an MSRP of $9699.

High gear is the preferred drive mode under most circumstances.

Up front, an independent, double-wishbone setup is linked to a set of long travel A-arms, dampened via preload-adjustable, gas-charged Kayaba coil-over shocks. Front wheel travel comes in at 7.5 inches.