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).
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
Cessna 210
- For sale now
- 177
- Median asking
- $249,750
- Range
- $90,200–$695,000
- Model years available
- 1960–2021
Piper Malibu
- For sale now
- 281
- Median asking
- $950,000
- Range
- $417,000–$3,032,000
- Model years available
- 1984–2026
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 210 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210 IO-470 (260hp) | 1960–1963 | IO-470-E | 2900 | 160 | 700 | 29 |
| 210 IO-520 (NA) | 1964–1986 | IO-520-A/L | 3800 | 171 | 900 | 48 |
| T210 Turbo | 1966–1986 | TSIO-520-R | 3800 | 193 | 950 | 58 |
| P210 Pressurized | 1978–1986 | TSIO-520-P | 4000 | 200 | 1000 | 56 |
Piper Malibu — 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 210 | Piper Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 819 | — |
| Serious | 64 | — |
| Fatal | 192 | — |
| Fatalities | 413 | — |
| % Fatal | 23% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 210 | Piper Malibu |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $90,200 – $695,000 | $417,000 – $3,032,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 260–325 HP | 310 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 160–200 kts (370 km/h) | 213 kts (394 km/h) |
| Range | 700–1,000 nm (1,852 km) | 1,300 nm (2,408 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 17,300 ft (5,273 m) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2900–4,000 lbs (1,814 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 | 1,700 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
EstimateCessna 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.
Pick the 210 if…
- Budget matters — from $90,200 vs $417,000, you save ~$326,800.
- Lower operating cost — ~$175/hr vs $190/hr.
- More inventory — 28 listings vs 23.
Pick the Malibu if…
- Faster cruise — 213 kts vs 160 kts.
- Longer range — 1300 nm vs 700 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1984 vs 1960.
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 210 and Piper Malibu?
Pressurization. The Piper Malibu (PA-46, and later the M350) adds a fully pressurized cabin to the six-seat high-performance single category — allowing cruise above weather layers in comfort without supplemental oxygen. The Cessna 210 Centurion is unpressurized — fast and capable at altitude but without pressurized comfort for occupants. The Malibu is the pressurized high-performance single; the 210 is the unpressurized speed-and-load machine.
210 or Piper Malibu — which high-performance single?
Buy the 210 if six-seat cross-country performance at approximately 165–200 kt (depending on naturally aspirated versus turbocharged variant) is the requirement and cabin pressurization is not needed. Buy the Malibu if pressurized comfort for passengers at altitude, IFR weather penetration above icing layers, or regular cruise in the high teens is the mission standard. The Malibu costs more to acquire and operate; pressurization is what you are paying for.
What does the Malibu's pressurization deliver?
A sealed cabin maintaining roughly an 8,000-ft equivalent cabin altitude while the aircraft cruises in the mid-to-high teens — passengers in shirt sleeves, no oxygen masks, and quieter operation at altitude. The 210 requires supplemental oxygen for extended cruise above 12,500 ft. For executive transport and personal IFR travel above weather, the Malibu's pressurization is a genuine advantage.
How do specs compare?
Cessna 210: Continental IO-520 (naturally aspirated) or TSIO-520 (turbocharged), six seats, ~165 kt (NA) to ~200 kt (turbo at altitude), unpressurized. Piper M350: Continental TSIO-550 (~350 hp), six seats, ~200–213 kt, pressurized.
Which is cheaper to operate?
The 210 is substantially less expensive to operate — no pressurization system to maintain, lower engine complexity in naturally aspirated variants, and a lower acquisition cost. The Malibu's TSIO-550 and pressurization-system maintenance are meaningfully more expensive. The Malibu earns its cost through pressurized comfort; for pilots who don't need pressurization, the 210 delivers comparable six-seat performance at lower cost.
Which should I buy?
210 for six-seat cross-country touring where pressurization is not a requirement and cost efficiency matters. Malibu for pressurized high-performance single ownership — the correct aircraft when altitude comfort and weather-penetration capability are mission requirements. Pressurization is not an upgrade; it is a mission decision.
Which is better, Cessna 210 or Piper Malibu?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 210 cruises at 160 kts with 700 nm range.
The Malibu cruises at 213 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 $159,000.
Piper Malibu: from $419,000.
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 (260 hp).
Cruise: 160 vs 213 kts.
Range: 700 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: 1,700-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 re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data