Cessna 177 vs Cessna 210
The Cessna 177 Cardinal and the Cessna 210 Centurion are two steps up the Cessna high-wing ladder — and the Cardinal vs Centurion choice is a sleek four-seat tourer versus a fast six-seat retractable. The Cardinal is the roomy, strutless four-seater with clean lines. The 210 Centurion is the big high-performance single: retractable gear, six seats and serious cruise. Today's prices and availability for each are below.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 71
- Median asking
- $134,500
- Range
- $91,273–$189,850
- Model years available
- 1967–1978
- 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 177 — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 210 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210 IO-470 (260hp) | 1960–1963 | IO-470-E | 2900 | 160 | 700 | 29 |
| 210 IO-520 (NA) | 1964–1986 | IO-520-A/L | 3800 | 171 | 900 | 47 |
| T210 Turbo | 1966–1986 | TSIO-520-R | 3800 | 193 | 950 | 58 |
| P210 Pressurized | 1978–1986 | TSIO-520-P | 4000 | 200 | 1000 | 57 |
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 177 | Cessna 210 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 766 | 819 |
| Serious | 84 | 64 |
| Fatal | 141 | 192 |
| Fatalities | 281 | 413 |
| % Fatal | 18% | 23% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 177 | Cessna 210 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $91,273 – $189,850 | $90,200 – $695,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 150 HP | 260–325 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 120 kts (222 km/h) | 160–200 kts (370 km/h) |
| Range | 600 nm (1,111 km) | 700–1,000 nm (1,852 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,600 ft (4,450 m) | 17,300 ft (5,273 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2,350 lbs (1,066 kg) | 2900–4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) |
| Useful Load | 900 lbs (408 kg) | 1,310 lbs (594 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 50.0 gal (189 L) | 90.0 gal (341 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 9.0 GPH (34 L/h) | 14.5 GPH (55 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 1,700 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $35,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $150 | $175 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 177
Cessna 210
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 177 or Cessna 210?
Bottom line: Choose the Cardinal for an efficient, roomy four-seat tourer — clean lines, a wide cabin and easy ownership, ideal for two to four people and weekend trips. Choose the 210 Centurion when you need speed, range and six seats — its retractable gear and big engine make it a genuine fast hauler, with the cost and complexity of a high-performance retractable. On safety both are capable high-wing singles; the 210 asks for retractable-gear discipline and more systems management, while the Cardinal stays simpler — a difference in complexity, not safety class. The Cardinal is the easygoing tourer; the Centurion is the fast six-seater.
Pick the 177 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$150/hr vs $175/hr.
- Newer design — production from 1968 vs 1960.
- More inventory — 34 listings vs 28.
Pick the 210 if…
- Budget matters — from $90,200 vs $91,273, you save ~$1,073.
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 160 kts vs 120 kts.
- Longer range — 700 nm vs 600 nm.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.