A Kawasaki NAV 4e Side by Side Is the Perfect Answer to Life’s Little Journeys
I’ve never owned a cart, but could this Kawasaki NAV 4e Limited be the one for our family?
Earlier this year, I had the chance to be one of the first to drive the Kawasaki NAV 4e Limited, the electric side-by-side cart that is the darling of resort communities. Of course, it leaned heavily into that lifestyle, perfect for quick trips to dinner or the golf course, but how would it match up to suburban life back home?
As I tool around the desert in the Kawasaki, which has many car-like features and is priced at about $15,000, I kept thinking about how perfect this would be for my neighborhood. Those quick trips to the pizza place, to pick up my son at a friend’s house, or from swim practice at the pool would be so easy.
And then there are the places you can’t just drive, like around the neighborhood to see Fourth of July fireworks displays. To just hop into a side-by-side, pop it in gear, and go, to be able to park in a much smaller spot, to feel the wind in my hair, would be so much easier—and more pleasant than firing up the Chevy Suburban for a quick half-mile trip away.
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This Alternative to Driving a Car Had Our Neighbors Thinking
Not long after my first Kawasaki NAV 4e test drive, I had the opportunity for a longer test drive at home, in my own neighborhood. I was excited to live with this fun little side by side, taking it to the neighborhood clubhouse, the park, or to visit neighbors. Independence Day was really great; we could tool around the community and join our neighbors as they set off fireworks; we didn’t have to walk to the other side of the neighborhood.
The convenience and fun of the Kawasaki surprised us; we didn’t think we would use it as much as we did, and were surprised at how easily it ended up in our routine. And, charging was so simple; using the adapter, I could plug it in overnight, and it would fully recharge, so we’d have a full battery for the next day’s adventure.
Our neighbors saw us in the Kawasaki NAV 4e and wondered if this could be their next cart, especially those with family on the other side of the community. This would be a perfect solution rather than driving the larger and less efficient car.
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What Makes This Cart Stand Out? Surprising Tech and Interior Details
The Kawasaki NAV 4e is filled with car-like features in the front seat and an interior design that just feels good. Things like cupholders big enough to fit your favorite on-the-go cups, a lockbox to hold your valuables, USB-A and USB-C ports for connectivity and charging, and a 7-inch touchscreen that displays Apple CarPlay or Android Auto make this cart next level.
Even the steering wheel has an ergonomic design, and there’s leatherette seating for a comfortable ride around the neighborhood. I’m all about my music, and the 4-speaker roof-mounted audio system is perfect, especially for creating a nice weekend vibe as you tool through the neighborhood.
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This Side by Side Is Not Your Average Golf Cart
If you’re like me, all about the upgrades, the NAV 4e’s top-level Limited trim is the way to go. And there’s good news: This trim initially was priced at $19,999, but Kawasaki reduced it to $14,999. The price drop puts it more in line with other golf carts, but this is not your average cart. It’s technically a neighborhood activity vehicle (NAV) and ladders up with the tech, comfy seats, and lithium-ion battery.
But there’s a lot more than just those features; this is also ideal for light off-roading, such as riding trails at a campsite or a ranch, light beach riding, and running on low-speed public streets. You can take it on the golf course, too, if you must.
And then, there are accessories. You can customize the NAV 4e Limited. Kawasaki offers nets, racks, enhanced audio systems, extra lights that are great to have on a ranch or at a campground, as well as larger wheels and even running boards. And that’s before adding things like custom color panels, stickers, and other things to really make it your own.
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Powerful like a Side by Side, Stylish like an EV
I loved how the Kawasaki NAV 4e Limited has the power of a side-by-side, a sporty, outdoor off-roader, but also brings what we love in EVs into this neighborhood activity vehicle. From electric charging, stylish wheels, off-road tires, tech upgrades like a touchscreen with navigation, and comfortable seats, it answers a lot of daily short driving needs.
This is Kawasaki’s first four-wheeled, four-passenger vehicle just for the neighborhood, and it offers two battery types: lithium-ion on the LE and Limited, and lead acid on the entry-level model. The Limited we tested tops out at 19 mph, has a range of up to 40 miles. Best of all, I didn’t need any special electrical work done to charge it; I just plugged it into an outlet in the garage. Charging times can vary, but for us, it took 11 hours to charge from 0-100%.
Driving the Kawasaki NAV 4e
Scooting around the neighborhood silently is the best. The wind in your hair, music in your ears, the side-by-side open to everything that’s going on around you. That’s one of the true benefits of an electric cart—that and not needing to store a gas can in the garage.
But what I really loved is the NAV 4e’s regenerative braking system; when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal, the cart slows quickly as the system recycles unused energy back into the battery. This effectively extends your driving range.
Your Neighbors Will Want One, Especially in Neighborhoods that are Cart Friendly or Cart Only
The Kawasaki NAV 4e really changed the way I experienced my own community, from running errands to cruising around to visit friends to running to the shopping center for a quick errand.
And now I might be spoiled; once you drive an electric side-by-side or cart around your neighborhood, you understand why someone would consider it in the first place: fewer road rules (depending on where you live), a quick and easy way to get around your community, and an eco-friendly EV-like experience with the car-like comforts we’ve come to rely on. It might just be the perfect answer to all of life’s little journeys.
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