A:Answer This microwave/oven unit is 17.25" from where it meets the upper cabinet to the bottom of the vent screens that suck the steam from your stove. (the lowest point). So yes, it is 17.25" tall. Everyone who sees it remarks that it is the biggest microwave they've ever seen.
As far as range ventilation goes, I have two complaints:
1. The vent fan is VERY loud and the change in speed (and noise level) is almost imperceptible when you drop the speed to the slowest setting. The fan is always very loud.
2. The two stove vent intakes are positioned too far back in the unit. This makes the already poor venting of the front burners (common to most OTR microwave/range vent units) of the stove even worse. The intakes should be positioned farther forward. Cooking/boiling on your front burners, even with the vent fan on High will fill your kitchen with smoke and steam.
Otherwise, so far, I'm happy with the unit. I have not actually tried the convection oven yet.