Ariens IKON Review
The IKON is a sensible middle choice for lots of one to three acres, pairing a Kawasaki V-twin with a fabricated deck at a modest price. The EZT drive and thinner deck keep it below the APEX for heavy use.
- Deck size
- 42, 48, 52 and 60 in.
- Drive
- Zero-turn, dual-lever steering
- Fuel type
- Gasoline
Rating breakdown
Key specifications
| Power type | Gasoline |
|---|---|
| Engine | Kawasaki FR651V 21.5 hp (42 and 48-in.); Kawasaki FR691V 23 hp (52 and 60-in.), per Ariens |
| Displacement | 726 cc V-twin (as listed by Ariens) |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Transmission | Hydro-Gear EZT hydrostatic transaxles (52-in., per AllMachines) |
| Drive | Zero-turn, dual-lever steering |
| Deck size | 42, 48, 52 and 60 in. |
| Deck construction | ENVY ELITE fabricated 11-gauge steel, 4.5 in. deep |
| Cutting height | Up to 4.5 in. (13 positions on the 52-in., per AllMachines) |
| Blades | 3 spindles (52-in., per AllMachines) |
| Discharge | Side discharge with caged anti-scalp wheels |
| Top speed | 7 mph forward, 3 mph reverse (52-in., per AllMachines) |
| Front tires | 11x6-5 (52-in., per AllMachines) |
| Rear tires | 20x10-8 (52-in., per AllMachines) |
| Weight | 682 lb (52-in., per AllMachines) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.5 US gal (52-in., per AllMachines) |
| Model numbers | 918002 (42), 918003 (48), 918005 (52), 918006 (60), 918026 (ONYX 52) |
| Chassis | One-piece welded tubular |
| Seat | High-back with molded armrests |
| Blade tip speed | About 18,000 ft/min (52-in., per AllMachines) |
Pros and cons
What we like
- Kawasaki V-twin across the range
- Fabricated 11-gauge ENVY ELITE deck
- Five versions from 42 to 60 in.
- 3-year or 300-hour warranty
- Retail prices in the high 3,000s to mid 4,000s
What could be better
- EZT transaxles are lighter duty than the APEX
- Deck is thinner and shallower than the APEX
- Ariens page omits speed and tank size
- Engine horsepower differs by deck size
- No price published on ariens.com
IKON review
Ariens IKON line at a glance
The Ariens IKON is the middle rung of the company’s consumer zero-turn ladder, sitting above the EDGE and below the APEX. Ariens’ US page currently lists five versions: the IKON 42 (918002), 48 (918003), 52 (918005), 60 (918006) and a 52-inch IKON ONYX (918026). All use Kawasaki V-twins.
A naming note: older IKON X and IKON XL machines appear in a 2016 Ariens announcement and on its previous-products pages, and an IKON XD with a Kawasaki engine appears on an Ariens Europe sell sheet. The current US page uses none of those suffixes, so this Ariens IKON review covers the present 42 to 60-inch range.
Engine and drive
Ariens lists the 42 and 48-inch models with a Kawasaki FR651V at 21.5 hp, and the 52, 60 and ONYX versions with an FR691V at 23 hp, all shown as 726 cc. A listing on AllMachines gives the 52-inch a 3.5-gallon tank, 7 mph forward and 3 mph reverse, using Hydro-Gear EZT transaxles. Ariens’ own page did not show speed or tank size.
That EZT drive is a lighter-duty unit than the ZT-3100 on the APEX, which is the main mechanical reason the IKON costs less.
Deck and cutting
Every IKON uses the ENVY ELITE deck, built from 11-gauge steel and 4.5 inches deep, with caged anti-scalp wheels. AllMachines lists the 52-inch with three spindles, 13 height positions up to 4.5 inches and a foot-operated lift.
An 11-gauge deck is thinner than the 10-gauge, 5.5-inch deck on the APEX, so on paper it suits well-kept residential grass better than rough, overgrown ground.
Size, comfort and warranty
Ariens describes a one-piece welded tubular chassis, a high-back seat on a raised base with molded armrests, and large tires. For the 52-inch, AllMachines lists 682 lb with 11×6-5 front and 20×10-8 rear tires.
Under Ariens’ warranty document for products bought after September 1, 2022, the IKON code carries 3 years or 300 hours, whichever comes first. Retail listings we saw put the 52-inch near $3,899 and the 60-inch near $4,699, but Ariens shows no price, so confirm with a dealer.
Buying information
Ownership
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ariens IKON a good zero-turn mower?
On paper it is a solid mid-range residential choice, with a Kawasaki V-twin and a fabricated 11-gauge deck at a modest price.
What is the difference between IKON, IKON X and IKON XD?
Ariens' current US page lists IKON 42 to 60 and an ONYX 52. IKON X and XL are older names, and XD appears on an Ariens Europe sheet.
What engine does the Ariens IKON have?
Kawasaki FR651V at 21.5 hp on the 42 and 48-inch, and FR691V at 23 hp on the 52 and 60-inch.
How fast is the Ariens IKON?
AllMachines lists 7 mph forward for the 52-inch. Ariens' page did not state speed.
How long is the Ariens IKON warranty?
3 years or 300 hours, whichever comes first, per Ariens' warranty document for 2022 and later purchases.
Owner reviews
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