$12,199 MSRP / 20 HP

• Big work, small price

• Simplicity = Reliability

• Serious payload capacity

Cheap labor you can trust.

When it comes to pure utility rigs, the Kawasaki Mule 4010 is about as uncut as they come. All work, no play, and no apologies: the Mule is a workhorse devoid of fancy touchscreens, automotive grade interiors, or fully enclosed cabs. It’s too busy for all that.

What you get instead is a hard working, reliable, and user-friendly machine for just over $12,000 brand new. The Mule is as humble as it is capable, and also happens to be insanely cheap to own and operate.

The Mule 4010 lacks bling, but nails the utility essentials. It packs a two-inch hitch receiver, gobs of easily accessible waterproof storage in the cab, two cupholders, and a powdercoated steel bed. Yellow deerskin workgloves sold seperately.

How much power does it make?

The Mule 4010 is powered by a 617cc liquid-cooled v-twin, which is good for a claimed 20 horsepower and 34.7 lb-ft of torque. Power is delivered by a simple, reliable CVT, with high, low, and reverse.

Unlike the standard 4000 model, the 4010 also gets selectable 4WD for traction on rough terrain. It even gets a locking rear differential for added capability.

What makes it special?

The Mule 4010 is a pure utility rig, and a damn good one at that. It’s built for capability, reliability, and big maintenance intervals, and the spec sheet reflects that.

The Mule is rated to tow a healthy 1,200 pounds of gravel, mulch, concrete, timber, or whatever else your next project requires. Even more impressive is that it’s got 800 pounds of payload capacity in the manual dump bed. The 1,330-pound total payload capacity is only 50 pounds shy of the weight of the vehicle itself.

Why do I want it?

You want a Kawasaki Mule 4010 because you want a no-frills, cut and dry, unapologetic workhorse. The same could be said for the Mule 4000 though, so in the case of the 4010, you also want the option of 4WD with a locking rear diff.

The Mule 4010 is for folks with lots of work to do who prefer a “simpler is better” approach. This is a pawpaw-spec rig in the purest sense of the term, with basic controls, a manual dump bed, and hard wearing components.

A 12-volt cigarette outlet and power steering are the extent of the technology that’s baked into this thing, and that’s just the way we like it, drum brakes and all. The fact that it only costs $12,199 brand new (and happens to be covered by a three year warranty) also makes the Mule 4010 a value leader in capability for the money.

Why don’t I want it?

While the Mule 4010 is a great rig in its own right, its lack of factory options is its main shortcoming. With both Polaris and Can-Am offering fully enclosed cabs and HVAC systems on their utility rigs, it’s only natural that well-heeled buyers often overlook the Mule.

It’s also worth noting that while the Mule 4010 pulls its own on the work front, a similiarly priced base-model Defender exceeds both its towing and hauling capabilities, while the base model Ranger falls short on payload but bumps towing capacity up to a whopping 2,500 pounds.

What trim should I get?

The Mule 4010 essentially comes in two flavors: the traditional two passenger, or the longer wheelbase four passenger “Mule Trans.” The two rigs share identical capability in terms of workload, but the four seater adds some additional versatility to the bill for an extra $1,350.

That’s because the rear bench of the Mule 4010 Trans can be folded down, which in turn expands the cargo bed depth by another 20 inches, so you’re getting a “longbed” Mule option when you want it, and a people hauler when you don’t.

That being said, most folks who want a Mule want it as a barebones workhorse, so the standard two-seat model will be the weapon of choice for most buyers.

(Kawasaki also offers an “FE” version of the Mule 4010, which is designed to serve as a fleet vehicle, but unless you’ve got the need for a universal key, white paint, and bright orange seatbelts, you can ignore that one entirely.)

If I like this… what else should I look at?

If a budget-friendly utility rig is what you’re after, you’ve got a few attractive alternatives to the Mule 4010. Can-Am’s Defender is probably the most popular option out there, followed closely by Polaris’ Ranger. If you prefer the appeal of Japanese reliability, Honda’s Pioneer 700 offers comparable spec at a comparable price.

2024Kawasaki Mule 4010 specs

Length: 116.7 in.

Width: 62 in.

Height: 75.8 in.

Wheelbase: 73.6 in.

Claimed Dry Weight: 1,367 lbs

Engine: Liquid-cooled V-twin

Displacement: 617cc

Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with (H,L,N,R)

Claimed Power: N/A

Claimed Torque: 34.7 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm

Fuel System: DFI with 34mm Mikuni throttle body

Steering: EPS

Drivetrain: 2WD, 4WD, locking rear differential

Front Suspension: MacPherson Strut; 3.9-in travel

Rear Suspension: DeDion Axle; 2.8-in travel

Front Brakes: Drum

Rear Brakes: Drum

Wheels F/R: 10 x 11 in.; Stamped steel

Tires F/R: Duro 23×11/10

Bed Capacity: 800 lbs

Towing Capacity: 1,200 lbs.

Seating Capacity: 2 (4 for Trans model)

Ground Clearance: 6.9 in.

Fuel Capacity: 6.3 gal