Cessna 152 vs Cessna 172 vs Cessna 182
The Cessna 152 (two-seat trainer, ~95 kt) and Cessna 172 Skyhawk (four-seat trainer/touring, ~115 kt) are different-class trainers — the 152 is primary; the 172 is the universal four-seat trainer.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
Cessna 152
- For sale now
- 64
- Median asking
- $69,250
- Range
- $45,000–$114,750
- Model years available
- 1977–1986
Cessna 172
- For sale now
- 582
- Median asking
- $129,900
- Range
- $57,398–$311,430
- Model years available
- 1951–2026
Cessna 182
- For sale now
- 630
- Median asking
- $215,000
- Range
- $109,960–$579,700
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
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 152 — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 172 — 3 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 Continental | 1956–1967 | O-300 | 2300 | 118 | 520 | 152 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 147 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 111 |
Cessna 182 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 Continental (early) | 1956–1976 | O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 235 |
| 182 Continental (late) | 1977–1986 | O-470-U | 3100 | 142 | 700 | 92 |
| T182 Turbo | 1981–1986 | TIO-540-AK1A | 3100 | 158 | 970 | 54 |
| 182 Lycoming | 1997–now | IO-540-AB1A5 | 3100 | 145 | 930 | 168 |
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 152 | Cessna 172 | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All events | 2435 | 6810 | 2779 |
| Serious | 130 | 542 | 249 |
| Fatal | 255 | 960 | 529 |
| Fatalities | 386 | 1802 | 1000 |
| % Fatal | 10% | 14% | 19% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 152 | Cessna 172 | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|---|
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|
|
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| Price Range | $45,000 – $114,750 | $57,398 – $311,430 | $109,960 – $579,700 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | |||
| Seats | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 110 HP | 145–160 HP | 230–235 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 100 kts (185 km/h) | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) |
| Range | 415 nm (769 km) | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,700 ft (4,481 m) | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,670 lbs (758 kg) | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) |
| Useful Load | 528 lbs (240 kg) | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 26.0 gal (98 L) | 56.0 gal (212 L) | 92.0 gal (348 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 6.1 GPH (23 L/h) | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,400 hrs | 1,400 hrs | 1,700 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $22,000 | $30,000 | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $15,000 | $18,000 | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $100 | $130 | $160 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 152
Fuel$34/hr
Variable$100/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$35,000/yr
Cessna 172
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Cessna 182
Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Which Should You Buy?
Bottom line: Choose the 152 for primary two-seat training at the lowest operating cost. Step up to the 172 for real four-seat training/touring capability and the largest support network in aviation.
Pick the 152 if…
- Lowest entry price — from $45,000
- Lowest operating cost — about $100/hr
- Newest design — built from 1977
Pick the 172 if…
- Most listings for sale — 173
Pick the 182 if…
- Fastest cruise — 140 kts
- Longest range — 640 nm
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key difference across the Cessna 152, 172, and 182?
Seats and useful load. The 152 is a two-seat trainer — Lycoming O-235, lowest cost, for training and basic flying. The 172 Skyhawk is the step to four seats — Lycoming O-320 (or the fuel-injected IO-360 on modern variants), the most popular general-aviation aircraft ever built. The 182 Skylane is the four-seat step-up — more power, more useful load, more speed. Each step adds capability and operating cost.
152, 172, or 182 — which is right for me?
Buy the 152 if primary training only, or two-seat ownership on the lowest possible budget — the O-235 is economical and the 152 is the standard trainer. Buy the 172 if four seats are needed — family flying, touring, IFR training, and practical personal transport. Buy the 182 if you consistently load four adults with baggage and the 172's useful load is insufficient, or if additional speed and load make a practical difference. Most owners who buy a 172 and fly with families eventually realise the 182 is the correct aircraft.
Why does the 172 fall short compared to the 182?
Four adults plus fuel often exceed the 172's useful load — it is a genuinely weight-limited aircraft with real passengers. The 182's useful load is roughly 200-plus lb more, handles real four-person loads comfortably, and cruises roughly 25 kt faster. On trips over 300 nm with actual passengers and bags, the 182 is the more practical aircraft.
What does the 172 do better than the 152?
Four seats and the genuine ability to carry a pilot plus two passengers and bags — a 152 limits you to one passenger with minimal baggage. The 172 also has a more powerful engine (O-320 versus O-235), better climb, and more cross-country capability. The 152 is a pure training aircraft; the 172 is a four-seat practical aircraft.
How do specs compare?
152: Lycoming O-235-L2C (110 hp), two seats, ~107 kt. 172N: Lycoming O-320 (160 hp), four seats, ~115 kt. 182T: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (230 hp), four seats, ~140 kt.
Which is cheapest to operate?
The 152 has the lowest operating cost — smallest engine, lowest fuel burn, lowest overhaul cost. The 172 costs more; the 182 costs more still. For training, the 152 is the most economical platform; for practical personal flying the 172 and 182 earn their higher costs through capability.
Which should I buy?
152 if training only and two seats are sufficient. 172 if four seats and practical personal flying are the goal on a reasonable budget. 182 if you consistently need real four-person loads with baggage and want to avoid weight-limiting your trips. The 172 is the correct choice for most first-time buyers; experienced owners with real passengers often find the 182 is what they actually needed.
Which is better, Cessna 152, Cessna 172 or Cessna 182?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 152 cruises at 100 kts with 415 nm range.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 152: from $63,000.
Cessna 172: from $99,500.
Cessna 182: from $110,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data