Cessna 172 vs Cessna 182S
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 172
- For sale now
- 421
- Median asking
- $134,231
- Range
- $61,563–$324,965
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
Cessna 182S
No active listings right now.
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 172 — 3 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 Continental | 1956–1967 | O-300 | 2300 | 118 | 520 | 137 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 128 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 103 |
Cessna 182S — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
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 172 | Cessna 182S |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | 56 |
| Serious | 542 | 2 |
| Fatal | 960 | 13 |
| Fatalities | 1802 | 20 |
| % Fatal | 14% | 23% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Cessna 182S |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $25,000 – $594,900 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–160 HP | 230 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) | 140 kts (259 km/h) |
| Range | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) | 915 nm (1,695 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) | 3,110 lbs (1,411 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 1,100 lbs (499 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | 87.0 gal (329 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 12.0 GPH (45 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $160 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Cessna 182S
Fuel$66/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Cessna 182S?
Pick the 172 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$130/hr vs $160/hr.
- More inventory — 163 listings vs 25.
Pick the 182S if…
- Budget matters — from $25,000 vs $61,563, you save ~$36,563.
- Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 118 kts.
- Longer range — 915 nm vs 518 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1997 vs 1956.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cessna 172 or Cessna 182S?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
The 182S cruises at 140 kts with 915 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $119,900.
Cessna 182S: from $282,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172 and Cessna 182S?
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp).
182S engine: LYCOMING IO-540-AB1A6 (230 hp).
Cruise: 118 vs 140 kts.
Range: 518 vs 915 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
172: about $130/hr variable cost.
182S: about $160/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?
172: 4 seats / 878 lb useful load.
182S: 4 seats / 1,100 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?
172: 1,400-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000.
182S: 2,000-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