Cessna 172P vs Diamond DA42
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 172P
- For sale now
- 14
- Median asking
- $149,950
- Range
- $94,200–$259,950
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 1
- Source marketplaces
- 6
- Model years available
- 1980–1985
Diamond DA42
- For sale now
- 46
- Median asking
- $699,900
- Range
- $520,774–$1,100,160
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 20
- Source marketplaces
- 7
- Model years available
- 2005–2026
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 172P — 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 |
Diamond DA42 — 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 172P | Diamond DA42 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 696 | 7 |
| Serious | 55 | 1 |
| Fatal | 96 | 0 |
| Fatalities | 200 | 0 |
| % Fatal | 14% | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172P | Diamond DA42 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $94,200 – $259,950 | $520,774 – $1,100,160 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Multi Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–180 HP | — |
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | 170 kts (315 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | 1,050 nm (1,945 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | 3,935 lbs (1,785 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 940 lbs (426 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 50.0 gal (189 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.5 GPH (32 L/h) | 12.0 GPH (45 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 1,800 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $28,000 | $28,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $16,000 | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $110 | $150 |
| Engines | 1 x Reciprocating | 2 x Diesel |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172P
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$110/hr
Annual Fixed$16,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$38,000/yr
Diamond DA42
Fuel$66/hr
Variable$150/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$50,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172P or Diamond DA42?
Pick the 172P if…
- Budget matters — from $94,200 vs $520,774, you save ~$426,574.
- Lower operating cost — ~$110/hr vs $150/hr.
Pick the DA42 if…
- Faster cruise — 170 kts vs 122 kts.
- Longer range — 1050 nm vs 640 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2004 vs 1977.
- More inventory — 44 listings vs 14.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cessna 172P or Diamond DA42?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172P cruises at 122 kts with 640 nm range.
The DA42 cruises at 170 kts with 1,050 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172P: from $149,900.
Diamond DA42: from $568,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172P and Diamond DA42?
Cruise: 122 vs 170 kts.
Range: 640 vs 1050 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
172P: about $110/hr variable cost.
DA42: about $150/hr variable cost.
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
172P: 4 seats / 878 lb useful load.
DA42: 4 seats / 940 lb useful load.
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
172P: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$28,000.
DA42: 1,800-hour TBO, overhaul ~$28,000.
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data