Piper Malibu vs Cessna 210

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

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
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

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.

Piper Malibu — 0 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale

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

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)Piper MalibuCessna 210
All events—819
Serious—64
Fatal—192
Fatalities—413
% Fatal—23%
View full Piper Malibu NTSB record →View full Cessna 210 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Piper Malibu Cessna 210
Piper Malibu
View 271 listings →
Median $950,000
 Cessna 210
View 176 listings →
Median $249,750
Price Range $417,000 – $3,032,000 $90,200 – $695,000
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 6 6
Horsepower 310 HP 260–325 HP
Cruise Speed 198 kts (367 km/h) 160–200 kts (370 km/h)
Range 1,300 nm (2,408 km) 700–1,000 nm (1,852 km)
Service Ceiling 25,000 ft (7,620 m) 17,300 ft (5,273 m)
Max Gross Weight 4,100 lbs (1,860 kg) 2900–4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)
Useful Load 1,200 lbs (544 kg) 1,310 lbs (594 kg)
Fuel Capacity 120.0 gal (454 L) 90.0 gal (341 L)
Fuel Burn 16.0 GPH (61 L/h) 14.5 GPH (55 L/h)
TBO 2,000 hrs 1,700 hrs
Overhaul Cost $35,000 $35,000
Annual Fixed $22,000 $22,000
Hourly Variable $190 $175
Engines 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Piper Malibu

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

Cessna 210

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

Which Should You Buy: Piper Malibu or Cessna 210?

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 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 — 271 listings vs 176.

Pick the 210 if…

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

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Piper Malibu or Cessna 210?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Malibu cruises at 198 kts with 1,300 nm range. 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?
Piper Malibu: from $299,000. Cessna 210: from $254,900. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Malibu and Cessna 210?
210 engine: Continental (260 hp). Cruise: 198 vs 160 kts. Range: 1300 vs 700 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Malibu: about $190/hr variable cost. 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?
Malibu: 6 seats / 1,200 lb 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?
Malibu: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000. 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