Cessna 400 vs Cirrus SR22
The Cessna 400 (former Columbia 400, ~235 kt turbocharged composite) and Cirrus SR22 (~180-185 kt normally-aspirated, or ~213 kt for SR22T turbo) are competing high-performance singles — the Cessna 400 is the fastest fixed-gear piston single ever certified; the SR22 has CAPS parachute and the larger active fleet.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 400
- For sale now
- 62
- Median asking
- $372,000
- Range
- $240,855–$661,750
- Model years available
- 2003–2017
Cirrus SR22
- For sale now
- 255
- Median asking
- $369,473
- Range
- $233,400–$867,970
- Model years available
- 2001–2025
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
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 400 | Cirrus SR22 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2 | 124 |
| Serious | 0 | 8 |
| Fatal | 1 | 38 |
| Fatalities | 2 | 74 |
| % Fatal | 50% | 31% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 400 | Cirrus SR22 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $240,855 – $661,750 | $233,400 – $867,970 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Horsepower | 310 HP | 310 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 220 kts (407 km/h) | 183 kts (339 km/h) |
| Range | 1,100 nm (2,037 km) | 1,049 nm (1,943 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) | 17,500 ft (5,334 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,100 lbs (499 kg) | 1,183 lbs (537 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 102.0 gal (386 L) | 92.0 gal (348 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 17.5 GPH (66 L/h) | 13.5 GPH (51 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $38,000 | $36,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $26,000 | $25,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $200 | $180 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 400
Fuel$96/hr
Variable$200/hr
Annual Fixed$26,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$66,000/yr
Cirrus SR22
Fuel$74/hr
Variable$180/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$61,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 400 or Cirrus SR22?
Bottom line: Choose the Cessna 400 (or its TTx successor) for outright speed — class-leading cruise. Choose the SR22 for the CAPS whole-airframe parachute, modern Garmin Perspective+, the largest dealer network and stronger residual values.
Pick the 400 if…
- Faster cruise — 220 kts vs 183 kts.
- Longer range — 1100 nm vs 1049 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2004 vs 2001.
Pick the SR22 if…
- Budget matters — from $233,400 vs $240,855, you save ~$7,455.
- Lower operating cost — ~$180/hr vs $200/hr.
- More seats — 5 vs 4.
- More inventory — 253 listings vs 45.
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 TTx 400 (Corvalis/Columbia 400) and Cirrus SR22?
Speed vs safety system. The Cessna TTx (TSIO-550-C, 310 hp turbocharged, composite, fixed gear, ~235 kt) is the fastest fixed-gear certified piston single — its speed comes from a clean composite airframe and turbocharging, not retractable gear. The Cirrus SR22 (IO-550-N, ~310 hp, composite, fixed gear, ~185 kt, CAPS parachute) is the world's best-selling composite piston — fixed-gear simplicity, the CAPS whole-aircraft parachute, and the deepest composite owner community.
Cessna TTx or Cirrus SR22 — which composite?
Same power, same composite era, both fixed-gear, roughly a 50 kt cruise gap. Buy the TTx if: ~235 kt cruise from a clean turbocharged airframe defines the mission. Buy the SR22 if: the CAPS parachute, naturally aspirated simplicity, and the world's most supported composite single are the priority.
What is the Cessna TTx / Corvalis / Columbia 400 history?
The aircraft was originally produced by Columbia Aircraft as the Columbia 400, then acquired by Cessna and marketed as the Corvalis TT and later the TTx. It uses a TSIO-550 turbocharged Continental engine — not the naturally aspirated IO-550 in the SR22. The TTx was discontinued; the SR22 remains in production.
How do specs compare?
Cessna TTx: TSIO-550-C (310 hp, turbocharged), composite, fixed gear, ~235 kt. Cirrus SR22: IO-550-N (~310 hp, naturally aspirated), composite, fixed gear, ~185 kt, CAPS.
Which is cheaper to operate?
The SR22 is less expensive — a naturally aspirated IO-550 is simpler than the TTx's TSIO-550 turbo, and the SR22's massive fleet drives competitive maintenance pricing and parts availability. The TTx is discontinued, so new parts and specialist knowledge are harder to source. Both are fixed-gear, so neither carries retractable-gear maintenance.
Which should I buy?
Cessna TTx for ~235 kt composite piston performance — the fastest fixed-gear certified single, bought used only since it is discontinued. Cirrus SR22 for the world's most supported composite piston with CAPS — in production, with a growing owner community and accessible maintenance anywhere.
Which is better, Cessna 400 or Cirrus SR22?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 400 cruises at 220 kts with 1,100 nm range.
The SR22 cruises at 183 kts with 1,049 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 400: from $285,000.
Cirrus SR22: from $417,192.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 400 and Cirrus SR22?
400 engine: CONTINENTAL TSIO-550-C (310 hp).
SR22 engine: Continental IO-550-N (310 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 5.
Cruise: 220 vs 183 kts.
Range: 1100 vs 1049 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
400: about $200/hr variable cost.
SR22: about $180/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?
400: 4 seats / 1,100 lb useful load.
SR22: 5 seats / 1,183 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?
400: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$38,000.
SR22: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$36,000.
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