Beechcraft Bonanza A36 vs Cessna R172 Hawk XP
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Beechcraft Bonanza A36
- For sale now
- 134
- Median asking
- $349,000
- Range
- $227,600–$586,325
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 59
- Source marketplaces
- 12
- Model years available
- 1969–2005
Cessna R172 Hawk XP
- For sale now
- 33
- Median asking
- $167,000
- Range
- $101,102–$287,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 10
- Source marketplaces
- 5
- Model years available
- 1965–1980
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Beechcraft Bonanza A36 | Cessna R172 Hawk XP |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $227,600 – $586,325 | $101,102 – $287,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 195 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 169 kts (313 km/h) | 129 kts (239 km/h) |
| Range | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 569 nm (1,054 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,500 ft (5,639 m) | 17,000 ft (5,182 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,650 lbs (1,656 kg) | 2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,245 lbs (565 kg) | 1,010 lbs (458 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 74.0 gal (280 L) | 52.0 gal (197 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 14.5 GPH (55 L/h) | 11.0 GPH (42 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 1,500 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $35,000 | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $195 | $145 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateBeechcraft Bonanza A36
Fuel$80/hr
Variable$195/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$61,000/yr
Cessna R172 Hawk XP
Fuel$60/hr
Variable$145/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$47,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Beechcraft Bonanza A36 or Cessna R172 Hawk XP?
Pick the Bonanza A36 if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 169 kts vs 129 kts.
- Longer range — 720 nm vs 569 nm.
- More inventory — 161 listings vs 37.
Pick the R172 Hawk XP if…
- Budget matters — from $101,102 vs $227,600, you save ~$126,498.
- Lower operating cost — ~$145/hr vs $195/hr.
- Newer design — production from 1977 vs 1968.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Beechcraft Bonanza A36 or Cessna R172 Hawk XP?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Bonanza A36 cruises at 169 kts with 720 nm range.
The R172 Hawk XP cruises at 129 kts with 569 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Beechcraft Bonanza A36: from $199,900.
Cessna R172 Hawk XP: from $179,900.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Beechcraft Bonanza A36 and Cessna R172 Hawk XP?
Bonanza A36 engine: Continental IO-550B (300 hp).
R172 Hawk XP engine: CONTINENTAL IO-360-KB (195 hp).
Seats: 6 vs 4.
Cruise: 169 vs 129 kts.
Range: 720 vs 569 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Bonanza A36: about $195/hr variable cost.
R172 Hawk XP: about $145/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?
Bonanza A36: 6 seats / 1,245 lb useful load.
R172 Hawk XP: 4 seats / 1,010 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?
Bonanza A36: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
R172 Hawk XP: 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