Cessna 172 vs Cessna 177
The Cessna 177 Cardinal (cantilever-wing, no strut, ~135 kt with RG variant) and Cessna 172 Skyhawk (strut-braced wing, ~115 kt) are different-design four-seaters — the Cardinal is the unique strutless Cessna; the 172 is the conventional braced classic.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 421
- Median asking
- $134,231
- Range
- $61,563–$324,965
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 112
- Source marketplaces
- 19
- Model years available
- 1956–2028
- For sale now
- 71
- Median asking
- $134,500
- Range
- $91,273–$189,850
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 19
- Source marketplaces
- 11
- Model years available
- 1967–1978
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Generations Breakdown
Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.
Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.
Cessna 172 — 5 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 Continental | 1956–1967 | Continental O-300 | 2300 | 118 | 520 | 107 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | Lycoming O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 105 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | Lycoming O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 89 |
| 172R | 1996–2007 | IO-360-L2A | 2450 | 120 | 520 | 19 |
| 172S | 1998–now | IO-360-L2A | 2550 | 124 | 518 | 40 |
Cessna 177 — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Cessna 172 | Cessna 177 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | 766 |
| Serious | 542 | 84 |
| Fatal | 960 | 141 |
| Fatalities | 1802 | 281 |
| % Fatal | 14% | 18% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Cessna 177 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $91,273 – $189,850 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–180 HP | 150 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | 120 kts (222 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | 600 nm (1,111 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | — |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | 2,350 lbs (1,066 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 900 lbs (408 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 9.0 GPH (34 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $150 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Reciprocating |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172
Cessna 177
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Cessna 177?
Bottom line: Choose the 172 for the largest support network, the most forgiving trainer and proven economics. Choose the Cardinal (especially the 177RG) for the unique cantilever-wing design, better visibility and higher cruise — accepting smaller production run and thinner support.
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $91,273, you save ~$29,710.
- Lower operating cost — ~$130/hr vs $150/hr.
- More inventory — 428 listings vs 69.
Pick the 177 if…
- Faster cruise — 120 kts vs 118 kts.
- Longer range — 600 nm vs 518 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1968 vs 1956.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.