Research-led review · Updated May 2026
Honda HRX 476 VK Review
By The Best Mowers UK · Research-led assessment from specs and verified owner reviews
Specs
| Cutting width | 47 cm |
|---|---|
| Engine | Honda GXV160 (163 cc OHV) |
| Deck | Xenoy (high-impact polymer) |
| Drive | Variable-speed self-propelled |
| Cut heights | 7 positions, 20-80 mm |
| Grass box | 73 litres |
| Mulching | Yes - Versamow (variable ratio) |
| Side discharge | Yes |
| Weight | 36 kg |
| Warranty | 5 years (domestic) |
What owners praise
- GXV160 engine reliability - owners report first-pull starts year after year. No choke fiddling, no stalling, no servicing issues. Honda engineering at its finest.
- Versamow mulching - slide the lever to choose your collect/mulch ratio. In dry summer owners run roughly 80% mulch and collect the excess. Saves emptying the box every 5 minutes.
- Xenoy deck - no rust, ever. Lighter than steel, tougher than standard plastic. Owner reports describe years of knocks against edging stones with no damage.
- 73L grass box - enormous. On a 900 m² lawn, expect a single empty per mow when mulching at 50%.
The drawbacks
- £999 upfront - the elephant in the room. Most people baulk at spending this much on a mower. Understandable, even if the lifetime economics are sound.
- 36 kg - it's a substantial machine. Variable-speed drive makes it effortless on flat ground, but lifting it into a raised shed requires two hands and some determination.
- No rear roller - for a mower this expensive, the lack of defined stripes is disappointing. You get directional marks but not Hayter-level lines.
- Overkill for small lawns - under 400 m², you're wasting the 47 cm deck capacity. A Bosch cordless would serve you better and cheaper.
How it compares
The Mountfield SP46 at £329 delivers 80% of the performance at 33% of the price - the rational budget choice. The Hayter Harrier 41 at £899 is the alternative if stripes matter more than versatility - rear roller, better lines, no mulching. The EGO LM2122E-SP at £549 is the cordless alternative that matches Honda's cutting performance without fuel or servicing.
Who should buy it
Owners of large UK lawns (600-1,500 m²) who want a mower they'll keep for 15-20 years. Buyers who hate replacing things - who'd rather pay more once than buy cheaper three times. Anyone who values Japanese engineering, Versamow mulching flexibility, and the peace of mind that comes with Honda reliability.
Don't buy it if your lawn is under 400 m² (overkill - go cordless), if stripes are your priority (Hayter Harrier with a rear roller), or if you're switching to cordless anyway (EGO LM2122E-SP at half the price).