Cessna 172RG Cutlass vs Cirrus SR20
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 172RG Cutlass
- For sale now
- 25
- Median asking
- $150,000
- Range
- $58,500–$212,400
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 8
- Source marketplaces
- 7
- Model years available
- 1979–1984
Cirrus SR20
- For sale now
- 166
- Median asking
- $424,900
- Range
- $179,000–$739,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 113
- Source marketplaces
- 16
- Model years available
- 1999–2026
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 172RG Cutlass — 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 |
Cirrus SR20 — 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 172RG Cutlass | Cirrus SR20 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 37 |
| Serious | — | 1 |
| Fatal | — | 16 |
| Fatalities | — | 34 |
| % Fatal | — | 43% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172RG Cutlass | Cirrus SR20 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $58,500 – $212,400 | $179,000 – $739,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–180 HP | 215 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | 155 kts (287 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | 875 nm (1,620 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 17,500 ft (5,334 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | 3,150 lbs (1,429 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 900 lbs (408 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 56.0 gal (212 L) |
| Fuel Burn | — | 11.5 GPH (44 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 1,500 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $150 |
| Engines | 1 x | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172RG Cutlass
Cirrus SR20
Fuel$63/hr
Variable$150/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172RG Cutlass or Cirrus SR20?
Pick the 172RG Cutlass if…
- Budget matters — from $58,500 vs $179,000, you save ~$120,500.
Pick the SR20 if…
- Faster cruise — 155 kts vs 122 kts.
- Longer range — 875 nm vs 640 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1999 vs 1980.
- More inventory — 164 listings vs 25.
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 172RG Cutlass or Cirrus SR20?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172RG Cutlass cruises at 122 kts with 640 nm range.
The SR20 cruises at 155 kts with 875 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172RG Cutlass: from $190,000.
Cirrus SR20: from $499,900.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172RG Cutlass and Cirrus SR20?
SR20 engine: Continental IO-360-ES (215 hp).
Cruise: 122 vs 155 kts.
Range: 640 vs 875 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
SR20: 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?
172RG Cutlass: 4 seats / 878 lb useful load.
SR20: 4 seats / 900 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?
172RG Cutlass: 2,000-hour TBO.
SR20: 1,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000.
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