The tough and well-constructed Simplicity Legacy XL subcompact garden tractor is available with three different engine choices: air-cooled, liquid-cooled, or diesel.

The model we tested featured a relatively quiet Kawasaki V-twin liquid-cooled engine with radiator, fan, and water pump. (Liquid-cooled engines are often more reliable than their air-cooled counterparts; their running temperature stays at a more consistent level.)

The Legacy XL can zip across a lawn at up to 9 miles per hour forward and 5.5 miles per hour in reverse, and features plenty of creature comforts that make the heavy-duty yard work for which it was designed easier to tackle.

Power steering and cruise control top the list, along with automatic traction control. The instrument panel is easy to read, and the forward and reverse drive pedals are right next to each other, which is a convenient feature.

The MSRP is for a loaded Simplicity Legacy XL model, complete with four-wheel drive and a 60-inch cutting deck, the largest Simplicity offers. For two-wheel drive, the MSRP is $8750.