After more than 20 years of service, the Mule name has come to define a whole category of hardworking utility vehicles. For 2010, here’s an entirely new take on everyone’s favorite beast of burden: The Kawasaki Mule™ 610 4x4 XC appears to have been crossbred with Kawasaki’s Teryx™ RUV. Aggressive 26 inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 radial tires mounted on 12-inch wheels give it newfound off-road ability—and a slew of upgrades designed to complement its suddenly more aggressive nature, infuse the new Mule XC with something it’s never really been known for: This Mule is cool.

Newest Mule Offers Expanded Off-Road Capabilities

After more than 20 years of service, the Mule name has come to define a whole category of hardworking utility vehicles. For 2010, here’s an entirely new take on everyone’s favorite beast of burden: The Kawasaki Mule™ 610 4x4 XC appears to have been crossbred with Kawasaki’s Teryx™ RUV. Aggressive 26 inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 radial tires mounted on 12-inch wheels give it newfound off-road ability—and a slew of upgrades designed to complement its suddenly more aggressive nature, infuse the new Mule XC with something it’s never really been known for: This Mule is cool.

The standard Mule 610 4x4 was nearly unstoppable, but the new 4x4 XC takes that a giant step further. Not only do those burly 26 inch Maxxis tires provide a bunch more traction, their greater width increases the Mule’s track by 1.3 inches and their greater height gives the new Mule a full 8.1 inches of ground clearance. To accommodate that new capability, new 1.1 inch longer front and 1.5 inch longer rear suspension help the Mule climb over larger obstacles than ever, while standard skid plates protect vital systems.

To make room for those new tires, the new Mule’s front bumper’s been kicked forward about 1.2 inches, and while they were at it the Mule team added sporty new graphics—also a new, more comfortable seat covered in a more pliable material, and a smaller-diameter sport steering wheel lifted straight from the Kawasaki Teryx™.

In spite of its new capabilities and the fact the XC looks like an entirely new vehicle on the outside, you can rest assured that its legendarily reliable and economical drivetrain remains intact on the inside. A durable, 401cc fan-cooled overhead-valve engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) feeds power to all four wheels as needed, and simple, automotive controls mean it couldn’t be much easier to operate. An enrichening system partially opens the throttle for easy engine starts, hot or cold, and the Mule can be started in forward (Hi or Lo) or reverse gear, provided the brake pedal is applied. Select 2WD or 4WD, and away you go.

MacPherson strut front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering combine great bump absorption with light handling, and the Mule’s mid-engine layout and swingarm rear suspension provide great traction at the rear. An upgraded braking system brings it all to a reliable halt.

Fun as it looks, the XC is all about hard work, with a new special black texture paint applied to its 400-pound capacity tilting bed for even greater long-lasting looks and durability, and 1,100-pound towing capacity that means you can bring whatever you need. Dual cup holders keep thirst at bay when you’re on the clock, a capacious glove box can carry more than just gloves, and the front hood pops open to reveal more than 12 gallons-worth of storage. Popular accessories include an enclosed cab, snow plow, winch, and soft or hard tops, available through Kawasaki dealers.