The Simplicity Prestige 27/50 4WD is near the high end of the garden tractor pricing curve. Is it worth twice what standard models cost? You decide. Here are the facts.

The Prestige 27/50 is a hefty garden tractor powered by a 27-hp Kohler Command two-cylinder engine with quality design features that should keep it running for a decade or more of mowing and other yard jobs. It has a Tuff Torq hydrostatic (automatic) transmission for the rear wheels plus a Kanzaki transmission for the front -- yes, it's four-wheel drive. Top forward speed is just over 6 mph and reverse speed is half of that. Unfortunately, two transmissions means the turning radius is nearly twice as wide -- 30 inches of cutting are lost when turning around. Cruise control is standard.

The frame of the Prestige 27/50 is heavy-duty 10-gauge steel, and the front axle is cast iron. The rear axle is 1-inch in diameter, more than adequate for the job. The high-back seat is relatively comfortable and adjustable. A nice feature: The fuel level gauge for the 4-gallon tank is mounted on the dashboard and is easy to read.

Cutting height is electrically adjustable from 1-1/2 to 4 inches and the cut comes from three belt-driven blades under the 50-inch deck. Aside from the slowdown due to the wide turning radius, this mower should cut up to about three acres in a session. (If you have a little larger lawn, the 27/54 model for about $400 more cuts 54 inches at a pass.) The deck has rollers in front of and at the rear of the mowing deck to minimize scalping the grass over uneven ground.

A lawn tractor can do all the above. You should consider a garden tractor if you have additional jobs that need to be done. The Simplicity Prestige 27/50 4WD has a number of lawn and garden attachments: rear bagger, cart collector, mulcher kit, dethatcher, dump cart, dozer blade, snow thrower (even a snow cab and tire chains) and a 1-point hitch for a moldboard plow. If you need more jobs done, consider the Simplicity Legacy XL or the higher-priced Kubota BX1850.

We think the Simplicity Prestige 27/50 4WD is an adequate garden tractor, but priced a little high for what it is and what it does. Many garden tractors for less money have as good an engine. The four-wheel drive is a nice feature, but adds nearly a thousand dollars to the price -- and it dramatically increases the tractor's turning radius. Combine these points with the fact that Simplicity models aren't evenly distributed throughout the United States and Canada and you may or may not find one (or get it serviced) locally. So you should ask yourself: Just how much do you need four-wheel drive on a garden tractor?


Pros: Good design, good engine, four-wheel drive
Cons: Priced on high end of market, not available in some areas