Cessna 210 vs Piper Malibu

The Cessna 210 Centurion (six-seat retractable, ~180-190 kt) competes against multiple six-seat / high-performance singles — Cirrus SR22T (four-seat turbo, ~213 kt, CAPS), Diamond DA62 (seven-seat twin diesel, ~190 kt), Mooney M20J (four-seat efficient, ~160 kt), Piper Malibu (six-seat pressurised, ~213+ kt), Piper Saratoga (six-seat ~150-165 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
Piper Malibu
For sale now
281
Median asking
$950,000
Range
$417,000–$3,032,000
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
103
Source marketplaces
18
Model years available
1984–2026

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 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

Piper Malibu — 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 210Piper Malibu
All events819—
Serious64—
Fatal192—
Fatalities413—
% Fatal23%—
View full Cessna 210 NTSB record →View full Piper Malibu NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 210 Piper Malibu
Cessna 210
View 176 listings →
Median $249,750
 Piper Malibu
View 270 listings →
Median $950,000
Price Range $90,200 – $695,000 $417,000 – $3,032,000
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 6 6
Horsepower 260–325 HP 310 HP
Cruise Speed 160–200 kts (370 km/h) 198 kts (367 km/h)
Range 700–1,000 nm (1,852 km) 1,300 nm (2,408 km)
Service Ceiling 17,300 ft (5,273 m) 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Max Gross Weight 2900–4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) 4,100 lbs (1,860 kg)
Useful Load 1,310 lbs (594 kg) 1,200 lbs (544 kg)
Fuel Capacity 90.0 gal (341 L) 120.0 gal (454 L)
Fuel Burn 14.5 GPH (55 L/h) 16.0 GPH (61 L/h)
TBO 1,700 hrs 2,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $35,000 $35,000
Annual Fixed $22,000 $22,000
Hourly Variable $175 $190
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston (Turbocharged)

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 210

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

Piper Malibu

Fuel$88/hr
Variable$190/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $60,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 210 or Piper Malibu?

Bottom line: Choose the 210 for the iconic high-wing six-seat retractable Cessna — the proven high-performance utility-six-seater. The competitors offer specific advantages (CAPS parachute, diesel economics, efficiency, pressurisation) — choose the 210 when you specifically want the high-wing six-seat Cessna character and the broad Cessna support network. ================================================================ # NEW MODELS — TWINS / TURBOPROP / JET / CLASSIC (18) [Сем 2026-06-05] ================================================================ # 🚩 rival-слаги для Ігора звірити: cessna-310/414/421/caravan·piper-aztec/navajo/seneca·beechcraft-baron-58/king-air-200·de-havilland-dhc-6-twin-otter·flight-design-ct·cessna-citation-sovereign

Pick the 210 if…

  • Budget matters — from $90,200 vs $417,000, you save ~$326,800.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$175/hr vs $190/hr.

Pick the Malibu if…

  • Faster cruise — 198 kts vs 160 kts.
  • Longer range — 1300 nm vs 700 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1984 vs 1960.
  • More inventory — 270 listings vs 176.

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 Piper Malibu?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 210 cruises at 160 kts with 700 nm range. The Malibu cruises at 198 kts with 1,300 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 210: from $254,900. Piper Malibu: from $299,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 210 and Piper Malibu?
210 engine: Continental (260 hp). Cruise: 160 vs 198 kts. Range: 700 vs 1300 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
210: about $175/hr variable cost. Malibu: about $190/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. Malibu: 6 seats / 1,200 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. Malibu: 2,000-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