Cessna 172 vs Piper Warrior

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk and the Piper Warrior are two of the most common four-seat trainers — the high-wing Skyhawk and the low-wing Warrior (the 160-hp PA-28). The 172 is the most-produced aircraft ever with unmatched support; the Warrior is the gentle, economical low-wing that has trained generations. Where each trades 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
Piper Warrior
For sale now
72
Median asking
$89,250
Range
$69,514–$170,850
Model years available
1973–2005

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 118 520 137
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

Piper Warrior — 0 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor 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 172Piper Warrior
All events6810—
Serious542—
Fatal960—
Fatalities1802—
% Fatal14%—
View full Cessna 172 NTSB record →View full Piper Warrior NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 172 Piper Warrior
Cessna 172
View 163 listings →
Median $134,231
 Piper Warrior
View 78 listings →
Median $89,250
Price Range $61,563 – $324,965 $69,514 – $170,850
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 4 4
Horsepower 145–160 HP 160 HP
Cruise Speed 118–122 kts (226 km/h) 127 kts (235 km/h)
Range 520–585 nm (1,083 km) 640 nm (1,185 km)
Service Ceiling 14,000 ft (4,267 m) 14,000 ft (4,267 m)
Max Gross Weight 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) 2,440 lbs (1,107 kg)
Useful Load 878 lbs (398 kg) 972 lbs (441 kg)
Fuel Capacity 56.0 gal (212 L) —
Fuel Burn 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) 10.0 GPH (38 L/h)
TBO 1,400 hrs —
Overhaul Cost $30,000 —
Annual Fixed $18,000 —
Hourly Variable $130 —
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

Piper Warrior

Fuel$55/hr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Piper Warrior?

Bottom line: Choose the 172 Skyhawk for the high-wing standard — superb downward visibility, the largest support network in aviation and the simplest ownership. Choose the Warrior for the low-wing feel — a stable, planted ride and an economical PA-28 favoured by flight schools. On safety both are exceptionally benign, proven trainers with strong records; the choice is wing layout and feel, not safety. High-wing classic, or economical low-wing.

Pick the 172 if…

  • Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $69,514, you save ~$7,951.
  • More inventory — 163 listings vs 78.

Pick the Warrior if…

  • Faster cruise — 127 kts vs 118 kts.
  • Longer range — 640 nm vs 518 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 difference between the Cessna 172 and Piper Warrior?
Mainly the wing — the 172 Skyhawk is high-wing, the Warrior a 160-hp low-wing PA-28. Performance is similar; the differences are visibility, cabin access and handling feel.
Is a high-wing or low-wing better for training?
Both train pilots well — high-wing 172s give better downward visibility, low-wing Warriors a more planted feel and easier fuel checks. It comes down to preference and what your school flies.
Which costs more to own?
They're closely matched; both are among the most economical four-seat trainers with deep support. Condition, equipment and engine time matter more than the model.
Which is better, Cessna 172 or Piper Warrior?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range. The Warrior cruises at 127 kts with 640 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $119,900. Piper Warrior: from $129,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172 and Piper Warrior?
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp). Cruise: 118 vs 127 kts. Range: 518 vs 640 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
172: about $130/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. Warrior: 4 seats / 972 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. 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