Cessna 210 vs Beechcraft Bonanza

The Beechcraft Bonanza 36 and Cessna 210 Centurion are direct six-seat retractable single competitors — the Bonanza is the low-wing Beechcraft (~175 kt); the 210 is the high-wing Cessna (~180-190 kt).

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Cessna 210
For sale now
177
Median asking
$249,750
Range
$90,200–$695,000
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
56
Source marketplaces
17
Model years available
1960–2021
Beechcraft Bonanza
For sale now
5
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
2
Source marketplaces
3
Model years available
1947–1972

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 210 — 4 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
210 IO-470 (260hp) 1960–1963 Continental IO-470-E 2900 160 700 24
210 IO-520 (NA) 1964–1986 Continental IO-520-A/L 3800 171 900 43
T210 Turbo 1966–1986 Continental TSIO-520-R 3800 193 950 57
P210 Pressurized 1978–1986 Continental TSIO-520-P 4000 200 1000 53

Beechcraft Bonanza — 0 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor 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 210Beechcraft Bonanza
All events819
Serious64
Fatal192
Fatalities413
% Fatal23%

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 210 Beechcraft Bonanza
Cessna 210
View 176 listings →
Median $249,750
Beechcraft Bonanza
View 1 listings →
Median $95,000
Price Range $90,200 – $695,000 $56,320 – $270,500
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 6
Horsepower 260–325 HP
Cruise Speed 160–200 kts (370 km/h)
Range 700–1,000 nm (1,852 km)
Service Ceiling 17,300 ft (5,273 m)
Max Gross Weight 2900–4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)
Useful Load 1,310 lbs (594 kg)
Fuel Capacity 90.0 gal (341 L)
Fuel Burn 14.5 GPH (55 L/h)
TBO 1,700 hrs
Overhaul Cost $35,000
Annual Fixed $22,000
Hourly Variable $175
Engines 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 210

Fuel$80/hr
Variable$175/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $57,000/yr

Beechcraft Bonanza

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 210 or Beechcraft Bonanza?

Bottom line: Choose the 210 for the slightly higher cruise, high-wing visibility and Cessna support. Choose the Bonanza 36 for the iconic Beechcraft cabin, build quality and aluminium craftsmanship — typically with stronger residual values and a more refined feel.

Pick the 210 if…

  • More inventory — 176 listings vs 1.

Pick the Bonanza if…

  • Budget matters — from $56,320 vs $90,200, you save ~$33,880.

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 210 or Beechcraft Bonanza?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 210 cruises at 160 kts with 700 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 210: from $254,900. Beechcraft Bonanza: from $95,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 210 and Beechcraft Bonanza?
210 engine: Continental (260 hp).
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
210: about $175/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?
210: 6 seats / 1,310 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?
210: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000. 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