Cessna 182 vs Mooney Ovation

The Cessna 182 and Mooney M20R Ovation are compared by buyers weighing load-carrying versus speed in a four-seat single. The fixed-gear 182 prioritizes useful load, cabin access, and simplicity, while the retractable Ovation is significantly faster and more efficient. The decision comes down to mission: hauling versus going fast.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle

Cessna 182
For sale now
601
Median asking
$209,900
Range
$109,345–$561,994
Model years available
1956–2026
Mooney Ovation
For sale now
21
Median asking
$280,000
Range
$169,510–$368,400
Model years available
1995–2008

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 140 640 235
182 Continental (late) 1977–1986 O-470-U 3100 142 700 91
T182 Turbo 1981–1986 TIO-540-AK1A 3100 158 970 50
182 Lycoming 1997–now IO-540-AB1A5 3100 145 930 160

Mooney Ovation — 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 182Mooney Ovation
All events2779—
Serious249—
Fatal529—
Fatalities1000—
% Fatal19%—
View full Cessna 182 NTSB record →View full Mooney Ovation NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 182 Mooney Ovation
Cessna 182
View 105 listings →
Median $209,900
 Mooney Ovation
View 8 listings →
Median $280,000
Price Range $109,345 – $561,994 $169,510 – $368,400
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 4 4
Horsepower 230–235 HP 280 HP
Cruise Speed 140–158 kts (293 km/h) 190 kts (352 km/h)
Range 640–970 nm (1,796 km) 1,025 nm (1,898 km)
Service Ceiling 18,100 ft (5,517 m) 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Max Gross Weight 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) 3,380 lbs (1,533 kg)
Useful Load 1,110 lbs (503 kg) 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
Fuel Capacity 92.0 gal (348 L) —
Fuel Burn 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) 13.5 GPH (51 L/h)
TBO 1,700 hrs —
Overhaul Cost $32,000 —
Annual Fixed $20,000 —
Hourly Variable $160 —
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 182

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

Mooney Ovation

Fuel$74/hr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Mooney Ovation?

Bottom line: Choose the 182 if you value useful load, easy cabin access, and fixed-gear simplicity for shorter trips with full seats. Pick the M20R Ovation for substantially higher cruise speed and fuel efficiency on cross-country flights, accepting the tighter cabin and retractable-gear maintenance.

Pick the 182 if…

  • Budget matters — from $109,345 vs $169,510, you save ~$60,165.
  • More inventory — 105 listings vs 8.

Pick the Ovation if…

  • Faster cruise — 190 kts vs 140 kts.
  • Longer range — 1025 nm vs 640 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 182 and Mooney Ovation?
Speed philosophy. The Cessna 182 Skylane (230 hp, high-wing, fixed gear, ~140 kt) is the practical four-seat tourer — simple, well-supported, forgiving. The Mooney Ovation (M20R, Continental IO-550-G, ~280 hp, retractable gear, ~190–195 kt) extracts dramatically more cruise speed from only 50 additional horsepower through aerodynamic refinement. The 182 is simple; the Ovation is fast.
182 or Mooney Ovation — which four-seater?
Buy the 182 if high-wing visibility, fixed-gear simplicity, and lower total ownership cost are priorities — it is the benchmark accessible four-seat touring aircraft. Buy the Mooney Ovation if 190-plus-kt cruise from a fuel-efficient 280 hp engine is worth the retractable-gear complexity and higher acquisition cost. The Ovation earns its premium through speed efficiency; the 182 earns its dominance through simplicity.
How significant is the Ovation's speed advantage?
On a 600-nm trip, roughly 50 kt saves about 55 minutes — meaningful for frequent cross-country travel. The Mooney's aerodynamic efficiency achieves 190-plus kt from 280 hp, while the 182 achieves ~140 kt from 230 hp. The Ovation is one of the most speed-per-horsepower-efficient four-seat aircraft ever built.
How do specs compare?
Cessna 182T: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (230 hp), four seats, high-wing, fixed gear, ~140 kt. Mooney Ovation M20R: Continental IO-550-G (~280 hp), four seats, low-wing, retractable, ~190–195 kt, ~1,400 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate?
Both have comparable fuel burns for their respective speeds — the Mooney achieves more speed per gallon. The 182's fixed gear and simple systems lower maintenance overhead; the Mooney's IO-550 and retractable gear add cost. For economy-per-nm, the Mooney wins; for total ownership simplicity, the 182 wins.
Which should I buy?
182 for four-seat touring simplicity at accessible cost. Mooney Ovation for maximum four-seat cross-country speed from a fuel-efficient piston — one of the best speed-per-dollar aircraft in the used market.
Which is better, Cessna 182 or Mooney Ovation?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range. The Ovation cruises at 190 kts with 1,025 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $110,000. Mooney Ovation: from $365,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 182 and Mooney Ovation?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp). Cruise: 140 vs 190 kts. Range: 640 vs 1025 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182: about $160/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. Ovation: 4 seats / 1,000 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. 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