Cessna 210 vs Piper Malibu

The Cessna 210 Centurion (six-seat retractable, ~180-190 kt) competes against multiple six-seat / high-performance singles — Cirrus SR22T (four-seat turbo, ~213 kt, CAPS), Diamond DA62 (seven-seat twin diesel, ~190 kt), Mooney M20J (four-seat efficient, ~160 kt), Piper Malibu (six-seat pressurised, ~213+ kt), Piper Saratoga (six-seat ~150-165 kt).

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 210 Piper Malibu
Cessna 210
View 170 listings →
Median $249,750
Piper Malibu
View 271 listings →
Median $950,000
Price Range $25,000 – $975,000 $257,092 – $4,582,731
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 6 6
Horsepower 300 HP 310 HP
Cruise Speed 164 kts (304 km/h) 198 kts (367 km/h)
Range 900 nm (1,667 km) 1,300 nm (2,408 km)
Service Ceiling 17,300 ft (5,273 m) 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Max Gross Weight 3,800 lbs (1,724 kg) 4,100 lbs (1,860 kg)
Useful Load 1,310 lbs (594 kg) 1,200 lbs (544 kg)
Fuel Capacity 90.0 gal (341 L) 120.0 gal (454 L)
Fuel Burn 14.5 GPH (55 L/h) 16.0 GPH (61 L/h)
TBO 1,500 hrs 2,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $35,000 $35,000
Annual Fixed $22,000 $22,000
Hourly Variable $175 $190
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston (Turbocharged)

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 210

Fuel$80/hr
Variable$175/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $57,000/yr

Piper Malibu

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

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 210 or Piper Malibu?

Bottom line: Choose the 210 for the iconic high-wing six-seat retractable Cessna — the proven high-performance utility-six-seater. The competitors offer specific advantages (CAPS parachute, diesel economics, efficiency, pressurisation) — choose the 210 when you specifically want the high-wing six-seat Cessna character and the broad Cessna support network. ================================================================ # NEW MODELS — TWINS / TURBOPROP / JET / CLASSIC (18) [Сем 2026-06-05] ================================================================ # 🚩 rival-слаги для Ігора звірити: cessna-310/414/421/caravan·piper-aztec/navajo/seneca·beechcraft-baron-58/king-air-200·de-havilland-dhc-6-twin-otter·flight-design-ct·cessna-citation-sovereign

Pick the 210 if…

  • Budget matters — from $25,000 vs $257,092, you save ~$232,092.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$175/hr vs $190/hr.

Pick the Malibu if…

  • Faster cruise — 198 kts vs 164 kts.
  • Longer range — 1300 nm vs 900 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1984 vs 1960.
  • More inventory — 271 listings vs 170.

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 Piper Malibu?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 210 cruises at 164 kts with 900 nm range. The Malibu cruises at 198 kts with 1,300 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 210: from $254,900. Piper Malibu: from $630,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 210 and Piper Malibu?
210 engine: Continental IO-470-E (300 hp). Cruise: 164 vs 198 kts. Range: 900 vs 1300 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
210: about $175/hr variable cost. Malibu: 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?
210: 6 seats / 1,310 lb useful load. Malibu: 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?
210: 1,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000. Malibu: 2,000-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