Cessna 172 vs Robin DR400
The Robin DR400 and Cessna 172 are four-seat tourers — the DR400 a fast, light wooden cranked-wing low-wing with a sliding canopy, the 172 the high-wing training benchmark.
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
Robin DR400
- For sale now
- 25
- Median asking
- $96,611
- Range
- $53,700–$195,472
- Model years available
- 1972–2020
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 | 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 |
Robin DR400 — 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 | Robin DR400 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | 9 |
| Serious | 542 | 0 |
| Fatal | 960 | 6 |
| Fatalities | 1802 | 16 |
| % Fatal | 14% | 67% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Robin DR400 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $53,700 – $195,472 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–160 HP | 180 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) | 125 kts (232 km/h) |
| Range | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) | 600 nm (1,111 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 13,000 ft (3,962 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) | — |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 900 lbs (408 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 9.0 GPH (34 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
EstimateCessna 172
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Robin DR400
Fuel$50/hr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Robin DR400?
Bottom line: Choose the Cessna 172 for the largest support network and metal-airframe simplicity; choose the Robin DR400 for higher cruise on similar power, light delightful handling and a sliding-canopy cabin (verify wooden-structure condition). 172 = support/metal; DR400 = speed/handling/wood.
Pick the 172 if…
- More inventory — 164 listings vs 1.
Pick the DR400 if…
- Budget matters — from $53,700 vs $61,563, you save ~$7,863.
- Faster cruise — 125 kts vs 118 kts.
- Longer range — 600 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 key difference between the Cessna 172 and Robin DR400?
Market and philosophy. The Cessna 172 is the dominant North American four-seat trainer. The Robin DR400 is a French low-wing wooden-airframe four-seater — primarily used in European flight training and touring, with a Lycoming engine of roughly 160–180 hp depending on variant and about 130–140 kt cruise. The DR400 is nearly unknown in the US market; in Europe (especially France) it is a training standard comparable to the 172 in North America.
172 or Robin DR400 — which trainer?
In North America, buy the 172 — parts, maintenance, and instructor familiarity make the DR400 an impractical choice outside Europe. In Europe, particularly France and the UK, the DR400 is a proven and widely supported alternative to the 172 with a similar training mission profile. The choice is almost entirely geographic.
What makes the Robin DR400 distinctive?
The DR400 uses a wooden airframe — spruce-and-ply wood construction — which requires different maintenance expertise than aluminium aircraft. Its cranked-wing planform and good short-field manners make it a popular European tourer and trainer.
How do specs compare?
Cessna 172S: IO-360-L2A (180 hp), 4 seats, high-wing aluminium, fixed gear, ~122 kt. Robin DR400-180: O-360 (~180 hp), 4 seats, low-wing wood, fixed gear, ~130–140 kt.
Which is cheaper to operate?
In Europe, where both aircraft have support networks, operating costs are broadly comparable. In North America, DR400 maintenance cost is substantially higher due to scarcity of parts and trained mechanics. For North American owners, the 172 wins decisively on operating economics.
Which should I buy?
172 for North American operations — universal support, familiar to every A&P. Robin DR400 for European pilots, particularly in France and the UK, where the aircraft is well-supported and a legitimate training alternative.
Which is better, Cessna 172 or Robin DR400?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
The DR400 cruises at 125 kts with 600 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $119,900.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172 and Robin DR400?
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp).
Cruise: 118 vs 125 kts.
Range: 518 vs 600 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.
DR400: 4 seats / 900 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