Cessna 172 vs Cessna 175
The Cessna 175 Skylark and the Cessna 172 Skyhawk are close cousins from the same era — the 175 vs 172 choice is a less-common geared-engine sibling versus the most familiar trainer in the world. The 175 Skylark shares the 172's airframe but used a geared engine that earned a mixed reputation, so many fly today with converted powerplants. The 172 Skyhawk is the ubiquitous standard with unmatched support. What each is going for today is below.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 421
- Median asking
- $134,231
- Range
- $61,563–$324,965
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
- For sale now
- 12
- Median asking
- $89,000
- Range
- $35,368–$249,250
- Model years available
- 1958–1962
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 175 — 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 175 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | 226 |
| Serious | 542 | 29 |
| Fatal | 960 | 32 |
| Fatalities | 1802 | 58 |
| % Fatal | 14% | 14% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Cessna 175 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $35,368 – $249,250 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–160 HP | 175 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) | 125 kts (232 km/h) |
| Range | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) | 500 nm (926 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 15,000 ft (4,572 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) | 2,350 lbs (1,066 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 900 lbs (408 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | 36.0 gal (136 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 9.0 GPH (34 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | 1,500 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $25,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $15,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $110 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172
Cessna 175
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Cessna 175?
Bottom line: Choose the 175 Skylark if you find a well-sorted example — often a converted or carefully maintained engine — for a 172-like airplane at a lower price, with a bit of rarity. Choose the 172 Skyhawk for the safe, easy default — the most-supported trainer anywhere, with parts, instructors and known values everywhere. On safety both share the same benign airframe; the 175's original geared engine drew reliability questions (check what's installed and its history), while the 172 is the better-understood, easier ownership. Verify the 175's engine carefully; the Skyhawk is the low-risk standard.
Pick the 172 if…
- Longer range — 518 nm vs 500 nm.
- More inventory — 163 listings vs 10.
Pick the 175 if…
- Budget matters — from $35,368 vs $61,563, you save ~$26,195.
- Lower operating cost — ~$110/hr vs $130/hr.
- Faster cruise — 125 kts vs 118 kts.
- Newer design — production from 1958 vs 1956.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.