Cessna 182 vs Cessna 185
The Cessna 182 Skylane and the Cessna 185 Skywagon split on gear and mission — the tricycle-gear 182 tourer and the taildragging 185 hauler. The 182 carries four in easy comfort; the 185 adds more power, payload and tailwheel backcountry capability. Where each trades now is below.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 489
- Median asking
- $218,897
- Range
- $104,725–$564,768
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
- For sale now
- 70
- Median asking
- $280,000
- Range
- $189,000–$429,900
- Model years available
- 1961–1985
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
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 Continental (early) | 1956–1976 | O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 217 |
| 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 | 163 |
Cessna 185 — 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 182 | Cessna 185 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2779 | 476 |
| Serious | 249 | 23 |
| Fatal | 529 | 43 |
| Fatalities | 1000 | 93 |
| % Fatal | 19% | 9% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 | Cessna 185 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $104,725 – $564,768 | $189,000 – $429,900 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 300 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 145 kts (269 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 720 nm (1,333 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 17,150 ft (5,227 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 3,350 lbs (1,520 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 1,440 lbs (653 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | 84.0 gal (318 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) | 15.5 GPH (59 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 1,700 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $35,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $160 | $175 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 182
Cessna 185
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Cessna 185?
Bottom line: Choose the 182 Skylane for easy four-seat travel — tricycle simplicity and lower running costs. Choose the 185 Skywagon for hauling and the backcountry — more power and payload in a rugged taildragger for rough strips and floats. On safety both are proven Cessnas; the 185's tailwheel asks for proficiency and it lifts more, while the 182 stays simple — a handling and capacity difference, not a safety gap. Easy tourer, or taildragging hauler.
Pick the 182 if…
- Budget matters — from $104,725 vs $189,000, you save ~$84,275.
- Lower operating cost — ~$160/hr vs $175/hr.
- More inventory — 104 listings vs 17.
Pick the 185 if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 145 kts vs 140 kts.
- Longer range — 720 nm vs 640 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1961 vs 1956.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.