Cessna 182 vs Cessna P210

The Cessna P210 Centurion occupies a unique slot in piston aviation: it was the only pressurized single-engine aircraft Cessna produced, and for a long period one of very few pressurized single-engine piston aircraft in production anywhere. The 182 Skylane is its lineage cousin — same manufacturer, similar four-seat touring mission, same high-wing layout — but without pressurization, roughly 40 knots slower in cruise, and at a purchase price that makes the P210 feel like a fundamentally different aircraft tier. The cross-shop surfaces when a Skylane pilot starts asking "what happens above 12,500 feet?"

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Cessna 182
For sale now
489
Median asking
$218,897
Range
$104,725–$564,768
Model years available
1956–2026
Cessna P210
For sale now
25
Median asking
$557,500
Range
$207,750–$956,175
Model years available
1978–1982

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 182 — 4 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
182 Continental (early) 1956–1976 O-470-L/R 2650 140 640 216
182 Continental (late) 1977–1986 O-470-U 3100 142 700 86
T182 Turbo 1981–1986 TIO-540-AK1A 3100 158 970 50
182 Lycoming 1997–now IO-540-AB1A5 3100 145 930 165

Cessna P210 — 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 182Cessna P210
All events2779257
Serious24939
Fatal52973
Fatalities1000152
% Fatal19%28%
View full Cessna 182 NTSB record →View full Cessna P210 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 182 Cessna P210
Cessna 182
View 106 listings →
Median $218,897
 Cessna P210
View 13 listings →
Median $557,500
Price Range $104,725 – $564,768 $207,750 – $956,175
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 4 6
Horsepower 230–235 HP 310 HP
Cruise Speed 140–158 kts (293 km/h) 180 kts (333 km/h)
Range 640–970 nm (1,796 km) 850 nm (1,574 km)
Service Ceiling 18,100 ft (5,517 m) 23,000 ft (7,010 m)
Max Gross Weight 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)
Useful Load 1,110 lbs (503 kg) 1,200 lbs (544 kg)
Fuel Capacity 92.0 gal (348 L) 90.0 gal (341 L)
Fuel Burn 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) 16.0 GPH (61 L/h)
TBO 1,700 hrs 1,800 hrs
Overhaul Cost $32,000 $35,000
Annual Fixed $20,000 $22,000
Hourly Variable $160 $190
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston (Turbocharged)

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 182

Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $52,000/yr

Cessna P210

Fuel$88/hr
Variable$190/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $60,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Cessna P210?

Bottom line: Choose the 182 for accessible, well-supported touring with a large maintenance base, reasonable operating costs, and a forgiving airplane that doesn't demand high-altitude proficiency. For pilots who stay below 10,000 ft, the 182's advantages are real: simpler systems, lower avgas burn (~11 gph vs ~18–22 gph for the P210), and far more mechanics familiar with the airframe. Choose the P210 if you need pressurized cabin comfort at altitude — flying oxygen-free at FL200 in weather that the Skylane would need to go around. The speed advantage is real (roughly 190 kt vs 148 kt), and the ability to use high-altitude ATC routing with cabin pressure makes a genuine difference in long-distance travel. Safety axis: the P210's pressurization system adds a class of failure risk that doesn't exist in the 182 — pressurization seals, pressure controllers, and turbocharger over-boost management all require diligent oversight. An unpressurized engine failure at FL200 is also a more urgent emergency than one at 8,000 ft. The Skylane, unpressurized and typically flown lower, is a fundamentally simpler risk profile.

Pick the 182 if…

  • Budget matters — from $104,725 vs $207,750, you save ~$103,025.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$160/hr vs $190/hr.
  • More inventory — 106 listings vs 13.

Pick the P210 if…

  • More seats — 6 vs 4.
  • Faster cruise — 180 kts vs 140 kts.
  • Longer range — 850 nm vs 640 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1978 vs 1956.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Cessna P210 Centurion still in production?
No. Cessna produced the P210 from 1978 to 1986 and did not restart production after the liability-driven aviation downturn of the late 1980s. The P210N and P210R are the most common models still flying today. All flying examples are vintage aircraft maintained by specialists; the smaller base of mechanics familiar with its pressurization system increases maintenance cost and complexity compared to the 182.
What does pressurization mean practically in the Cessna P210?
The P210 keeps the cabin at roughly 10,000 ft equivalent altitude while the aircraft itself cruises at FL200–FL230. The practical effect is that the pilot and passengers breathe normally at altitude without supplemental oxygen. The P210 uses a turbocharger-driven compressor to maintain cabin differential pressure of about 3.35 psi. If the pressurization system fails in cruise, the crew is at altitude breathing ambient air — an immediate descent is required.
Can the Cessna 182 fly in the flight levels like the P210?
The 182 is certificated to 14,000 ft (and some turbocharged T182T variants to 20,000 ft), but without pressurization, flying above 12,500 ft requires supplemental oxygen after 30 minutes by FAR 91.211. Practically, most 182 pilots stay below 12,000 ft for comfort and regulatory simplicity. The P210 was built specifically to eliminate that constraint — making them different tools for different altitude profiles.
Which is better, Cessna 182 or Cessna P210?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range. The P210 cruises at 180 kts with 850 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $104,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 182 and Cessna P210?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp). P210 engine: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R (310 hp). Seats: 4 vs 6. Cruise: 140 vs 180 kts. Range: 640 vs 850 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182: about $160/hr variable cost. P210: about $190/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?
182: 4 seats / 1,110 lb useful load. P210: 6 seats / 1,200 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?
182: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000. P210: 1,800-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 updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data