Cessna 172 vs Cessna 210

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk and the Cessna 210 Centurion bookend Cessna's single-engine high-wing line — the 172 the fixed-gear four-seat trainer, the 210 the retractable six-seat performer — and the choice is simple economy versus speed and capacity. The Skyhawk is the world's most common trainer; the Centurion is the fast, retractable-gear hauler at the top of the line. Where each stands on the market now is below.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle

Cessna 172
For sale now
421
Median asking
$134,231
Range
$61,563–$324,965
Model years available
1956–2026
Cessna 210
For sale now
177
Median asking
$249,750
Range
$90,200–$695,000
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.

Cessna 172 — 3 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
172 Continental 1956–1967 O-300 2300 118 520 139
172 O-320 150hp 1968–1976 O-320-E2D 2300 120 585 132
172 O-320 160hp 1977–1986 O-320-H2AD/D2J 2400 122 585 104

Cessna 210 — 4 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
210 IO-470 (260hp) 1960–1963 IO-470-E 2900 160 700 30
210 IO-520 (NA) 1964–1986 IO-520-A/L 3800 171 900 51
T210 Turbo 1966–1986 TSIO-520-R 3800 193 950 58
P210 Pressurized 1978–1986 TSIO-520-P 4000 200 1000 58

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 172Cessna 210
All events6810819
Serious54264
Fatal960192
Fatalities1802413
% Fatal14%23%
View full Cessna 172 NTSB record →View full Cessna 210 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 172 Cessna 210
Cessna 172
View 164 listings →
Median $134,231
 Cessna 210
View 31 listings →
Median $249,750
Price Range $61,563 – $324,965 $90,200 – $695,000
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 4 6
Horsepower 145–160 HP 260–325 HP
Cruise Speed 118–122 kts (226 km/h) 160–200 kts (370 km/h)
Range 520–585 nm (1,083 km) 700–1,000 nm (1,852 km)
Service Ceiling 14,000 ft (4,267 m) 17,300 ft (5,273 m)
Max Gross Weight 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) 2900–4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)
Useful Load 878 lbs (398 kg) 1,310 lbs (594 kg)
Fuel Capacity 56.0 gal (212 L) 90.0 gal (341 L)
Fuel Burn 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) 14.5 GPH (55 L/h)
TBO 1,400 hrs 1,700 hrs
Overhaul Cost $30,000 $35,000
Annual Fixed $18,000 $22,000
Hourly Variable $130 $175
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 172

Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $44,000/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: Cessna 172 or Cessna 210?

Bottom line: Choose the 172 Skyhawk for low-cost, forgiving flying — fixed gear, four seats and the easiest support anywhere, perfect for training and lighter trips. Choose the 210 Centurion when you need speed, range and six seats — retractable gear and a big engine make it a genuine cross-country machine, with the cost and complexity that come with it. On safety both are proven high-wing Cessnas; the 210's retractable gear and higher performance ask for more pilot management, while the 172 stays simple — a step in systems, not a safety gap. The Skyhawk is the simple trainer; the Centurion is the fast retractable.

Pick the 172 if…

  • Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $90,200, you save ~$28,637.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$130/hr vs $175/hr.
  • More inventory — 164 listings vs 31.

Pick the 210 if…

  • More seats — 6 vs 4.
  • Faster cruise — 160 kts vs 118 kts.
  • Longer range — 700 nm vs 518 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1960 vs 1956.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the Cessna 172 and 210?
The 172 Skyhawk is a fixed-gear four-seat trainer; the 210 Centurion is a retractable six-seat high-performance single with far more speed and payload. The 172 is simpler and cheaper; the 210 is faster and carries more.
Is the 210 much faster than the 172?
Yes — the retractable-gear 210 cruises substantially faster and farther than the fixed-gear 172, with two more seats. The 172 trades that for simplicity and the lowest running costs.
Which is easier to own?
The 172 Skyhawk — fixed gear and modest power keep maintenance and insurance low. The 210 rewards you with speed and capacity but adds retractable-gear upkeep and higher costs.
Which is better, Cessna 172 or Cessna 210?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 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?
Cessna 172: from $119,900. Cessna 210: from $159,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172 and Cessna 210?
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp). 210 engine: CONTINENTAL IO-470-E (260 hp). Seats: 4 vs 6. Cruise: 118 vs 160 kts. Range: 518 vs 700 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
172: about $130/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?
172: 4 seats / 878 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?
172: 1,400-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000. 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 re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data