Cessna 162 vs Cessna 172
The Cessna 162 Skycatcher (LSA two-seat trainer) and 172 Skyhawk (certified four-seat) are different-class Cessna trainers — the 162 is the light, economical two-seat LSA; the 172 is the four-seat certified trainer/tourer standard.
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 162 | Cessna 172 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $63,338 – $91,500 | $10,000 – $589,500 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 100 HP | 180 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 100 kts (185 km/h) | 122 kts (226 km/h) |
| Range | 470 nm (870 km) | 640 nm (1,185 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | — | 2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) |
| Useful Load | 470 lbs (213 kg) | 878 lbs (398 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 56.0 gal (212 L) |
| Fuel Burn | — | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $130 |
| Engines | 1 x | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 162
Cessna 172
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 162 or Cessna 172?
Bottom line: Choose the 172 for four seats, full certified capability and the deepest support network. Choose the 162 only for the lowest-cost two-seat Cessna trainer/LSA, accepting limited production, a small fleet and thin factory support (the model was discontinued). ================================================================ # CESSNA 182 × OTHER (cross-refs — already covered elsewhere) ================================================================ - ref: /compare/cessna-182-vs-mooney-m20j → `mooney/mooney_compare_verdicts.md`
Pick the 162 if…
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $10,000 vs $63,338, you save ~$53,338.
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 122 kts vs 100 kts.
- Longer range — 640 nm vs 470 nm.
- More inventory — 404 listings vs 4.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.