First Ride: 2025 Kawasaki NAV 4e, LE & Limited

There are golf carts, there are PTVs... And then there’s the Kawasaki NAV 4e, 4e LE, & 4e Limited—a neighborhood activity vehicle that politely asks, “What if your golf cart had some style, usable functionality, and a personality?” Then promptly runs over a golf cart scooting around at 12 miles per hour on its way to the pool.

It’s not for fairways… Well, right now. Kawasaki didn’t retrofit a cart or dress up a utility vehicle. They built the NAV from scratch, which shows. It has real ground clearance, comfy seats, and a turning radius that’ll make your grandma whip a U-turn like she’s in a ‘90s hatchback. It’s easy to drive, easy to park, and most importantly, fun to cruise. I was skeptical, no doubt. My typical environment is dirtier, faster, and a little more complicated. Admittedly, I feared being bored to death. What could I possibly say about a vehicle that rides pavement at only a max speed of 19mph? Oh, how I was mistaken.

Another reminder on not judging a book by its cover, this all-new concoction from Kawi gave me the same surprising feeling a blind date might when they turn out to be attractive, smart, and funny. No expectations—little hope, in fact—yet by the end of the test, I was sad to walk away, wondering if I should have tried to get to know it just a bit more. Perhaps I would like to go on “date” number two and see where things might take us. Or, perhaps I should concede that this resort-living, Stanley Cup-sipping, well-dressed, agile being is just a bit out of my league. 

That might seem like an overstatement, but when so many of the rigs we take for a spin show up with a serious disposition, riding around in the sunshine with your buddies wearing athleisure attire, sans helmet, was (for lack of a better term) a relief. A big departure from the conventional all-terrain First Ride event: ATGATT* only, stringent safety-comfort-performance critique, and a technical understanding of the landscape.   

At a time of the year when everyone else in the country is running heat and wearing puffy coats, I found myself sweating, a bit, under blue skies and an unrelenting sun. The La Quinta Resort in Indio, CA, where winding resort roads, shaded paths, and random encounters with golfers made for the perfect test loop. Even if you're not a resort regular or pay some aspirational HOA fee in your neighborhood, it’s easy to imagine this thing fitting into your day-to-day lifestyle—quick trips to the farmer’s market, neighbor’s cookout, or just doing loops around your cul-de-sac because... Hell, why not?

It has the full Kawasaki treatment—sharp body lines, an EV auto-style grille, a brush guard, LED lights, and a roof that looks like it was the product of some upper-crust committee. Built-in speakers and a fold-down windshield help it feel a little more lifestyle, a little less fleet vehicle or, dare I say, golf cart. And yes, there are legitimate rain channels that keep water from dumping on your lap when the skies open up. It’s a small thing. But a smart thing. And while this was my first encounter with the infamous Stanley insulated cup, the NAV appears to have custom-built their holders to accommodate the yoga moms who swear by them. 

Although the ground clearance is indeed sized to the market, the seating position on the NAV’s elevated platform is higher than your typical PTV, LSV, or cart, which gives you solid visibility and makes it feel more substantial without tipping into more cumbersome territory. It’s plush, roomy, and—shocker—even good for shorter drivers. I was concerned (yet again) that my 27-inch inseam would be inadequate for a comfortable and safe ride. Reaching the pedals is an unending battle, and so the fact that I could put my foot to the floor and still enjoy the ergonomics of the two-toned leatherette seats was gratifying.

It takes zero training to drive the NAV. Push the pedal, it releases the parking brake. Tap the button for forward, neutral, or reverse. That’s it. You’ve got a color TFT display, easy Bluetooth pairing (especially when there aren’t 12 other exact replicas of the NAV right next to you), and speakers borrowed from the RIDGE, which means your dance party can start in the driveway. On top of that, you can use the built-in system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and NAVigation apps to NAV-igate your way across town—or if that’s not an option, your neighborhood.

To be honest, I barely utilized these features. Once I connected the Bluetooth to my phone, I just amplified the noise as much as I could stand, which still surprisingly left a lot of room on the dial until the NAV’s max volume. So the lesson I learned here was that this vehicle is meant to cause way more of a ruckus than I was prepared to stir. But at least the music would be clear enough for everyone to enjoy as I drifted past. Had the subwoofers been installed in my particular machine, this would have been morphed into some sort of mobile concert.  

If you're the kind of person who packs an extra jacket, backup snacks, and maybe a full charcuterie board—just in case—the NAV 4e is your kind of ride. You get a locking glove box (with the same key as the ignition, which is chef’s kiss for simplicity), a front trunk ("frunk," if you're fancy), and rear cargo space with optional cargo barriers to keep things in check. There’s also an open shelf for your phone, easy-access pockets, and floor-mounted storage nets to catch the bits and bobs that would otherwise roll under the seat forever.

Want to haul more than a tote bag? The NAV 4e’s multi-function rack can handle up to four beach chairs or two golf bags. A rear cargo rack with tie-down points, a trailer hitch that’s rated for 500 lbs, and standard KQR mounts for quick accessory swaps make this little EV surprisingly versatile. Add a fold-down windshield, rain-channeling roof, LED headlights with turn signals, and a six-cupholder layout that can handle your Stanley Cup filled to the brim with iced coffee, plus another one or two with your backup iced coffee—you get the picture.

Powering the NAV 4e is an electric motor that keeps things simple, smooth, and surprisingly punchy for something that tops out at a modest 19 mph. Kawasaki went with an air-cooled interior permanent magnet synchronous motor—say that five times fast—which sounds more complicated than it feels behind the wheel. What it really means is quiet, consistent torque (37.6 lb-ft at just 2,000 RPM) and a very laid-back, approachable driving experience. Think of it less like a golf cart and more like a silent glider with cupholders.

The motor lives back at the rear axle, tucked neatly into a fixed-gear transmission. There are no shifting antics—just forward, neutral, and reverse. Acceleration is mellow but confident, with just enough pep to feel responsive without risking a spilled mimosa. You’ve got regenerative braking, too, which gently reclaims power when slowing down—ideal for all the slow rolls through scenic neighborhoods, gated resorts, or wherever this NAV ends up. Kawasaki offers both lead-acid and lithium-ion battery options depending on your range anxiety threshold, but either way, you're set for more than just a spin around the cul-de-sac. (Insert anecdote here about cruising somewhere mildly excessive in it.)

Depending on how far you plan to roam—or how often you forget to plug things in—the NAV 4e gives you two battery personalities to choose from. The standard model runs on a pack of six lead-acid batteries, good for about 17.5 miles of cruising, which is perfect for local errands or neighborhood joyrides. But if you step up to the LE or Limited trims, you get a pair of custom-engineered lithium-ion Inventus batteries using 21700 cells, built specifically for the NAV. Those deliver up to 40 miles of range and pair beautifully with the smooth electric motor for longer, more relaxed adventures. An onboard 500W alternator keeps the 12V accessories alive and kicking—so your lights, displays, and optional fan-powered cupholder don’t cut out mid-cruise.

Don’t expect tire-smoking power, but do expect just enough to make every errand a little more fun. The NAV 4e is powered by an air-cooled induction motor putting out up to 10.7 kW and 37.6 lb-ft of torque, with a top speed of 19 mph. The drivetrain is two-wheel drive with a primary reduction gear and a push-button forward/neutral/reverse selector, plus regenerative braking that helps recharge the lead-acid battery pack (8V x 6) while slowing you down. 

Suspension-wise, all three models feature MacPherson struts up front, and leaf springs with KYB hydraulic shocks (courtesy of KYB) in the rear give the NAV a surprising level of composure, even when fully loaded. Rear 160mm drum brakes handle stopping duties, and while there’s no front brake system listed, the regenerative setup picks up some of that slack on deceleration. They also share the same 7.3 inches of ground clearance, turning radius (12.8 ft), and ladder-type tubular steel frame. Payload is rated at 800 lbs, cargo bed maxes at 150 lbs, and towing is a respectable 500 lbs. NAV proves it’s not just about quirky looks and clever tech—it’s pretty capable, too.

The turning radius was something that actually quite surprised me. Not just whipping a b*tch along La Quinta’s tight passageways. But the Green Team had coned up a small go-kart-style track for us to test the vehicle’s maneuverability. While this wasn’t a timed obstacle, I certainly rode it like I was attempting to break a record. There were hairpins, a sweeper, a chicane, a straightaway, and even some hard 90-degree turns. For me, this was the highlight of the ride. While I love a joyride through the neighborhood blasting urban beats near a group of unsuspecting Karens on their way to the tennis courts, I prefer a rousing challenge (albeit a mini one). And anyone with a pulse and the proper exposure can’t leave a go-kart track without a bit of that floaty, euphoric Mario-Kart-champion feeling.

The NAV handled all those twists and a little too much throttle input from me quite well. Steering response was immediate, as expected from any modern car you’d take for a spin. I was impressed by how well it stitched together the curves when I could choose the right lines. It managed the hairpin like I was just turning into the driveway. And it picked up speed in the back straight so I could squeeze out just a few extra nanoseconds from my proverbial time. That was, in fact, exactly how I was presented the opportunity to test the brakes, with fervor. A little too excited about my run, I almost ran into the back of another NAV parked in line for their chance at the course. But my NAV stopped just in time to save me from embarrassment…and a mighty unfortunate repair bill.

The NAV comes in two versions: a lead-acid battery model just under $13K and a lithium-ion option just under $20K. That might raise eyebrows at first, but during our time at the resort, people genuinely seemed surprised—in a good way—once they heard the numbers. While we were shooting a little speak-to-camera bit near the tennis courts, there were multiple occasions when La Quinta guests stopped us midsentence to ask about the vehicle and, of course, the pricing. And by their respective responses, I suspect that the various tags for each vehicle were quite approachable, if not competitive to what they’re used to. Good sign. 

​Kawasaki's 2025 NAV 4e lineup offers three distinct models: the NAV 4e, NAV 4e LE, and NAV 4e Limited. Each model builds upon the previous, adding features and options to cater to various preferences and needs.​

The NAV isn’t meant to replace your UTV, and it’s definitely not a golf cart—unless your idea of golf includes a Bluetooth playlist, hauling kids, a dog, and a cooler to a lemonade stand while whipping your hair into a frenzy at 18.5 miles-per-hour. It’s a fresh take on local travel, whether that’s resort life, community cruising, or just keeping up with the Joneses during a boxed wine run.

If Kawasaki set out to create a vehicle that would capture the attention of their audience in a way they’ve never felt before, technically, that’s achieved. If they wanted to draw their customers off the dirt and to cruise around their burrows with family in tow, perhaps they’ve nabbed a few. But if they intended to make the “why don’t we have one of those?” vehicle for people who live the resort life all day, every day, they nailed it.

*All The Gear All The Time