Honda HRX217K5VKA Review
187cc Gas 21-Inch 4-in-1 Versamow System Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
97Superb!
4.6 / 5 from 228 users
$999
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you.
We spent 8.5 hours reading reviews from customers and experts. In summary, here's what users think:
10 reasons to buy
Many reviews say the Honda HRX217K5VKA is easy to start, often with just one pull, making it convenient to use. (36 reviews)
“Starts on every pull. Started on my first pull out of the box.”
“Starts on one pull every time.”
“This mower started on the first easy pull right out of the box”
“I would say that at least 95% of my starts have been on the first pull, the rest on the second.”
“I was totally amazed that this mover started on the first pull.”
“Starting is very easy; one very light tug over a few inches of the start cable and it purrs”
“After filling my new HRX217VKA with treated non-ethanol fuel, oil, and a proper sharpening of the as delivered blade it fired on the first pull. I am sure it will fire on the first pull 20 years from now.”
“Starts first pull.”
“It always started up on the first pull”
“Starts on the first pull every time.”
The mower's mulching function is highly praised for how well it works, making it easy to recycle grass clippings back into the lawn. (27 reviews)
“the mulching is pretty impressive actually.”
“I'm looking forward to seeing how it mulches up leaves this fall.”
“Comparing the mulching abilities of the 160cc HRR to the 190cc HRX is a night and day difference as well.”
“the double blades, microcut system, does cut my grass very fine”
“In mulch modes it's hard to see the clippings they are so finely cut up”
“There were no clumps left behind.”
“I run it on mulch cycle; minimal residue after the cut”
“I needed a self-propelled with better mulching capabilities then my old lawn mower.”
“mulches long, wet grass with ease.”
“The HRX does a GREAT job mulching”
The 187cc engine is noted for its power, helping the mower work well on big areas and thick grass without slowing down. (18 reviews)
“Light and powerful. Use it to cut 2 acres, takes me 4 hours but she cuts and runs like a dream.”
“This things a beast! Nothing can kill it, not even 12" thick wet grass in mulch mode!”
“this is a much more powerful engine to cut grass with. It had zero issues even when cutting at a lower deck height.”
“Abundant power to cut and propel through thick grass”
“Plenty of power”
“cutting 18-24" high weeds/grass like a champ; it slowed the engine down but it did not stall”
“The Honda never dies on me no matter how high or thick the grass has got”
“Climbs very steep hills like a mountain goat, and mulches long, wet grass with ease.”
“Never bogged down, never clumped up. The grass was cut and recut so fine that I couldn't see any clippings.”
“Mulches like a beast”
The adjustable speed control feature is liked as it allows users to mow at a comfortable pace, which can vary from a slow walk to a jog. (17 reviews)
“It can go fast if you want it to. But it is so light be careful you can pop a wheelie if you have it going too fast for you to keep up!”
“You can jog with it.”
“I like that I can set the speed of the self propel system and get my lawn mowed in under an hour”
“easy to feather the variable speed control to match your pace”
“The speed controls work perfectly, and in fact - I had to slow the control down going UPhill!”
“Self propelled, range from min to max. I ran it just past min and it can move fast”
“Took it out to our side hill on a lower speed and it went straight up it without even a hesitation.”
“I have to set it on the second lowest speed setting to keep up with it”
“I can adjust the speed to as fast as I can walk or slower if the lawn is high.”
“I love the ability to control the speed by two methods, the main speed control knob, and the paddle position.”
Reviewers note the historical durability of Honda mowers and expect a long life from this model as well, with one review mentioning a previous Honda mower that lasted over 20 years. (16 reviews)
“The wife bent the crankshaft on the first one : ( which was 20 some years old and was still going strong but it came to an untimely death.”
“Honda engineering has worked out all the fussy details of power mowing: quality cut, durability, and ease of use”
“I am sure it will fire on the first pull 20 years from now.”
“Hope to have many years of usage.”
“The original mower (with original engine & transmission) still works and starts on the first pull.”
“the Honda engine still functioned like new”
“Last lawnmower you will ever buy!”
“My last mower was 1/2 the price and lasted nearly a decade”
“I HAVE HAD A HONDA HRX217 VYA FOR 11 YEARS AND JUST HAD TO INSTALL NEW CARB.”
“Reviewers note the historical durability of Honda mowers and expect a long life from this model as well”
The innovative Versamow system that allows switching between mulching, bagging, or both without removing the bag is highlighted as a standout feature. (9 reviews)
“the BEST PART, the option to mulch or bag, or both without taking off the bag!”
“It's very handy that you can bag, mulch, or a combination of the two”
“the versamow system is great”
“Being able to adjust how much grass is mulched or bagged is even nicer than I thought it would be”
“Also good for leaves, either mulching, bagging or combination.”
“if you want to bag it, just move the switch”
“I can Mulch everything or bag everything or do certain amounts depending on the situation.”
“Love that I can adjust to partial bag/mulch on the fly.”
“Whether bagging or mulching, am very satisfied with such a well designed tool.”
The mower's bag is big, so you can mow more and empty it less often, which makes taking care of the lawn faster. (5 reviews)
“The bag is a generous size as it holds a TON of grass and still the mower drive system pulls it along with ease.”
“bagger fills completely”
“easy bagging”
“The wide opening for the bag makes it easy to empty once it is full.”
“Amazing bagging system with excellent cutting system.”
One reviewer notes improved gas efficiency compared to an older model, allowing them to mow without needing to refill the tank midway through the task. (4 reviews)
“It also seems to use gas more efficiently, because I use to have to stop and fill my tank in the middle of mowing.”
“Takes one tank to mow .39 acre yard.”
“Doesn't use as much gas as my older model that it replaced.”
The design of the throttle and handlebar is noted to be comfortable, making it less tiring to operate the mower for extended periods. (3 reviews)
“the throttle and handle bar are very comfortable to hold and push.”
“No throttle or choke - just a reliable starter and comfortable governed speed”
“The drive control is literally a one-thumb action push lever. SO easy”
The ability to fold the handle is praised for saving space during storage. (2 reviews)
“the handle folds. This is great for storage.”
“Handle adjusts to store in shed.”
3 reasons not to buy
Several users noted the mower is heavy, which might make it harder to maneuver or transport. (9 reviews)
“Picking the mower up is unacceptable because you'll get a hernia”
“heavy. Shes a tank. Big mama. A beast.”
“Despite the use of nonmetal for the deck, this mower weighs 95 pounds.”
“It's a little on the heavy side”
“Only one thing is rear drive and when bag gets full front end likes to wheely. Could use a little more weight on the front end”
“A little heavy, but that is the manly part of being solidly built.”
“If you're looking for a light and highly maneuverable mower look elsewhere - this is a bit of a beast.”
“Well made but it's a tank too.”
“A little heavy but im very satisfied”
Adjusting the wheel height was not easy for some users; they had to lift the mower to change settings. (4 reviews)
“the wheel adjustment is tough to do. Not a big deal, but still not easy. I had to pick up the bottom or the mower to lift the wheel off the ground to get it to adjust.”
“My main issue is each wheel requires individual setting when changing cut height. Changing is not easy to do and the marking of height of cut are hard to read.”
“This lawn mower is great, except for some difficulty in changing the height on the back wheels. For the price you would think that moving the lever to change the height would be easy to do, but it seems you need some super human strength to adjust the back wheels.”
“One improvement would be to engineeer so all wheels are lowered or raised with one lever i stead of each wheel.”
One user wished for bigger back wheels to make the mower easier to handle and more stable. (1 review)
“The only thing I wished it had was bigger back wheels.”
Bottom Line
The Honda HRX217K5VKA is a user-friendly, powerful lawnmower perfect for those with sizable yards. It starts quickly—usually with one pull—and boasts an efficient 187cc engine that handles thick turf with ease. Its standout Versamow system lets you switch between mulching and bagging without a fuss, and the big bag means less emptying. Adjustable speed and a comfy handle make mowing less of a chore, plus it's built to last. However, it's a bit hefty and adjusting the wheels can be tricky.
Facts
| Brand | Honda |
|---|---|
| Cutting Width (in) | 21 inch |
| Features | Mulching, Bagging, Side Discharge |
| Max Cutting Height | 4" |
| Min Cutting Height | 3/4" |
| Power Source | Gas |
| Category | Self Propelled Mowers |
| Warranty | Manufacturer Warranty For 5 Years From Date Of Purchase |
| Weight | 108 Pounds |
| Additional Info | Clip Director, MicroCut Blades, GCV200 Engine, NeXite Deck |
Video Reviews
Tips for HRX217K5VKA 660250
- The mower does not use an air filter. It is recommended that oil is changed regularly.
- Sharpen mower blades regularly to ensure clean, laser-like cuts.
- To keep it in the best condition, clean the mower after each use.
Special Features
- NeXite® Mowing Deck: This is a super tough deck that doesn't rust and lasts a really long time.
- MicroCut® Twin Blades: These are two blades that cut grass super fine so it looks better and you can fit more of it in the bag.
- Versamow System™ with Clip Director®: Lets you control how you want to handle the grass clippings – mulch them, bag them, throw them out the side, or even mix mulching and bagging together.
- Self-Propelled with Variable Speed Select Drive®: The mower moves on its own and you can easily change how fast it goes to match how you like to walk.
- 4-in-1 Versatility: You get to choose if you want to mulch, bag, just cut, or shred leaves with your mower.
- Honda GCV200 Engine: This engine is strong and reliable but doesn't use up a lot of gas and starts up really easy.
- 7-Position Cutting Height Adjustment: You can change how short you cut the grass really easily with just one lever.
- Large Capacity Grass Bag: You can mow for longer before you have to stop and empty the bag because it fits a lot of grass.
- 9-inch Ball Bearing Wheels: The wheels roll smoothly and last a long time because of the strong bearings inside them.
- Auto Choke System: Makes starting the mower super simple – just pull the cord and get mowing, no need to fiddle with a choke.
- Folding Handles: You can fold the handles down when you're done to save space in your garage or shed.
- 3-Year Residential Warranty: You get a good warranty that covers you for three years in case anything goes wrong.
FAQ
- Q:
Is the mower rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive?
- A:
The mower is a rear-wheel drive. This allows no loss in traction as the bag fills up.
- Q:
What is the mower’s blade model if I need replacements?
- A:
The HRX217K5VKA uses a twin blade system. The upper blade model is 72531-VH7-000 while the lower blade model is 72511-VH7-000. You can also purchase an original Honda HRX blade set here.
- Q:
Does the mower come with the bag?
- A:
Yes. The mower’s bag is included.
- Q:
What is the mower’s deck made of?
- A:
The mower’s deck is made of NeXite. NeXite is a very durable polymer exclusive to HRX mowers and was made to resist dents, rust, and corrosions.
- Q:
Does the mower have the blade break feature?
- A:
No it does not. The blades continue to spin when the engine is running.
Similar Products
 |  |  |  |  | |
| Name | PowerSmart DB2321 | Yard Force Lawn Mower | YARDMAX 201cc | Senix LSSG-H1 | EGO Power+ LM2102SP |
| Final Score | 85 Good! | 90 Great! | 83 Good! | 79 | 99 Superb! |
| Category | Self Propelled Mowers | Self Propelled Mowers | Self Propelled Mowers | Self Propelled Mowers | Self Propelled Mowers |
| Power Source | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Battery |
| Cutting Width | 21 inch | 22 inch | 22 inch | 22 inch | 21 inch |