Cessna 210 vs Cessna 177
The Cessna 177 Cardinal (four-seat fixed-gear ~135 kt; Cardinal RG retractable ~145 kt) and Cessna 210 Centurion (six-seat retractable, ~180-190 kt) are different-class Cessnas — the Cardinal is the four-seat touring; the 210 is the high-performance six-seater.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Cessna 210 | Cessna 177 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $25,000 – $975,000 | $50,600 – $199,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 150 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 164 kts (304 km/h) | 120 kts (222 km/h) |
| Range | 900 nm (1,667 km) | 600 nm (1,111 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 17,300 ft (5,273 m) | — |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,800 lbs (1,724 kg) | 12,500 lbs (5,670 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,310 lbs (594 kg) | 900 lbs (408 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 90.0 gal (341 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 14.5 GPH (55 L/h) | 9.0 GPH (34 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,500 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $35,000 | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $175 | $150 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Reciprocating |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 210
Fuel$80/hr
Variable$175/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$57,000/yr
Cessna 177
Fuel$50/hr
Variable$150/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$48,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 210 or Cessna 177?
Bottom line: Step up to the 210 when you need six seats and the iconic high-performance Cessna retractable. Choose the Cardinal (especially RG) for four-seat retractable training/touring at materially lower cost than a 210.
Pick the 210 if…
- Budget matters — from $25,000 vs $50,600, you save ~$25,600.
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 164 kts vs 120 kts.
- Longer range — 900 nm vs 600 nm.
- More inventory — 171 listings vs 67.
Pick the 177 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$150/hr vs $175/hr.
- Newer design — production from 1968 vs 1960.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cessna 210 or Cessna 177?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 210 cruises at 164 kts with 900 nm range.
The 177 cruises at 120 kts with 600 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 210: from $254,900.
Cessna 177: from $109,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 210 and Cessna 177?
210 engine: Continental IO-470-E (300 hp).
177 engine: Lycoming O-320 (150 hp).
Seats: 6 vs 4.
Cruise: 164 vs 120 kts.
Range: 900 vs 600 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
210: about $175/hr variable cost.
177: about $150/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?
210: 6 seats / 1,310 lb useful load.
177: 4 seats / 900 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?
210: 1,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
177: 2,000-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 updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data