Cirrus SR20 vs Cessna 172
The Cirrus SR20 and Cessna 172 are different generations of four-seat trainer/touring singles — the 172 is the fixed-gear high-wing classic (~115-120 kt, vast support); the SR20 is the modern composite low-wing (~155 kt) with CAPS parachute and Garmin Perspective+.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- 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
- 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
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.
Cirrus SR20 — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
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 |
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) | Cirrus SR20 | Cessna 172 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 37 | 6810 |
| Serious | 1 | 542 |
| Fatal | 16 | 960 |
| Fatalities | 34 | 1802 |
| % Fatal | 43% | 14% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cirrus SR20 | Cessna 172 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $179,000 – $739,000 | $61,563 – $324,965 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 215 HP | 145–180 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 155 kts (287 km/h) | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) |
| Range | 875 nm (1,620 km) | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 17,500 ft (5,334 m) | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,150 lbs (1,429 kg) | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) |
| Useful Load | 900 lbs (408 kg) | 878 lbs (398 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | 56.0 gal (212 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 11.5 GPH (44 L/h) | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,500 hrs | 1,400 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $150 | $130 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCirrus SR20
Cessna 172
Which Should You Buy: Cirrus SR20 or Cessna 172?
Bottom line: Choose the 172 for the most forgiving trainer ever built, the largest support network and lowest acquisition cost. Choose the SR20 for modern Garmin glass, CAPS whole-airframe parachute and ~35 kt more cruise — at the cost of higher acquisition and more demanding handling.
Pick the SR20 if…
- Faster cruise — 155 kts vs 118 kts.
- Longer range — 875 nm vs 518 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1999 vs 1956.
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $179,000, you save ~$117,437.
- Lower operating cost — ~$130/hr vs $150/hr.
- More inventory — 428 listings vs 164.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.