Cessna Citation V Ultra vs Cessna Citation X
The Citation V (light, ~420 kt) and Citation X (super-midsize, ~528 kt — fastest civil jet) are very different aircraft despite the shared Citation badge — the V is a 1990s light jet; the X is the speed-king super-mid.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna Citation V Ultra
- For sale now
- 40
- Median asking
- $1,750,000
- Range
- $480,750–$2,154,000
- Model years available
- 1989–1999
Cessna Citation X
- For sale now
- 29
- Model years available
- 1997–2017
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Cessna Citation V Ultra | Cessna Citation X |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $480,750 – $2,154,000 | $4,122,500 – $10,827,500 |
| Category | Light Jet | Super-Midsize Jet |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 8 | 12 |
| Cruise Speed | 430 kts (796 km/h) | 480 kts (889 km/h) |
| Range | 1,960 nm (3,630 km) | 3,070 nm (5,686 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 45,000 ft (13,716 m) | 51,000 ft (15,545 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 16,300 lbs (7,394 kg) | 36,100 lbs (16,375 kg) |
| Useful Load | 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) | 6,800 lbs (3,084 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 487.0 gal (1843 L) | 1,050.0 gal (3974 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 155.0 GPH (587 L/h) | 260.0 GPH (984 L/h) |
| TBO | 4,000 hrs | 5,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $280,000 | $600,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $280,000 | $500,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $1,900 | $3,800 |
| Engines | 2 x Turbofan | 2 x Turbofan |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna Citation V Ultra
Fuel$852/hr
Variable$1,900/hr
Annual Fixed$280,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$660,000/yr
Cessna Citation X
Fuel$1,430/hr
Variable$3,800/hr
Annual Fixed$500,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$1,260,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna Citation V Ultra or Cessna Citation X?
Bottom line: Choose the X for outright speed — the fastest civil jet ever built. Choose the V for light-jet economics at a fraction of X acquisition and operating cost — they don't really compete.
Pick the Citation V Ultra if…
- Budget matters — from $480,750 vs $4,122,500, you save ~$3,641,750.
- Lower operating cost — ~$1900/hr vs $3800/hr.
- More inventory — 41 listings vs 30.
Pick the Citation X if…
- More seats — 12 vs 8.
- Faster cruise — 480 kts vs 430 kts.
- Longer range — 3070 nm vs 1960 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1996 vs 1994.
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 Citation V and Citation X?
Class. The Citation X (Model 750) is a large, high-speed aircraft — among the fastest certified business jets produced, cruising approximately 525 kt, powered by Rolls-Royce AE3007C1 engines and seating up to nine passengers. The Citation V is a six-seat light-to-midsize jet cruising approximately 430 kt. They serve entirely different markets — both are Cessnas, but the comparison is between a regional jet and a transcontinental high-speed machine.
Citation V or Citation X — who is each for?
Buy the Citation V if four-to-six passengers, legs under 1,500 nm, and a lower operating budget define the mission — it is an accessible jet with relative simplicity. Buy the Citation X if speed is the primary requirement, legs exceed 2,500 nm regularly, or eight-to-nine-passenger capacity is needed. The X is a transcontinental high-speed machine; the V is a regional business jet.
How does the speed difference matter in practice?
At 525 kt the X covers roughly 525 nm per hour; at 430 kt the V covers roughly 430 — about 20% more ground speed in the X. On a 1,500-nm leg the X saves approximately 35–40 minutes; on a 2,500-nm transcontinental leg the gap is over an hour. For executives with high time-value this is meaningful; for owner-pilots flying regional trips, the V's 430 kt is more than adequate.
Which flies higher and farther?
Citation X: up to FL510, approximately 3,000 nm range, Rolls-Royce AE3007C1 engines. Citation V: up to FL430, approximately 1,500 nm range, JT15D-5 engines. The X's altitude and range make it a transcontinental aircraft; the V is a regional business jet.
How do specs compare?
Citation V: JT15D-5 engines, six seats, ~430 kt, ~1,500 nm. Citation X: Rolls-Royce AE3007C1 engines, up to nine seats, ~525 kt, ~3,000 nm.
How do prices compare?
See the comparison table above for current asking prices. The Citation X commands several multiples of the V's value — it is a fundamentally larger, faster aircraft in a completely different market tier, and operating costs follow the same ratio.
Which is cheaper to operate?
The Citation V by a wide margin — smaller engines with lower fuel burn, simpler systems, and lower overhaul costs per engine. The X's Rolls-Royce AE3007C1 engines consume substantially more fuel and have higher overhaul costs. The X earns its cost through speed and range; for regional missions the V's operating economy is vastly superior.
Which should I buy?
Citation V if budget, regional missions (under 1,500 nm), and six-passenger capacity define the requirement. Citation X if speed above all, transcontinental range, or eight-to-nine passengers and the operating budget to match are the factors. These aircraft do not compete — the V buyer is not the X buyer.
Which is better, Cessna Citation V Ultra or Cessna Citation X?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Citation V Ultra cruises at 430 kts with 1,960 nm range.
The Citation X cruises at 480 kts with 3,070 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna Citation V Ultra and Cessna Citation X?
Citation V Ultra engine: PRATT & WHITNEY JT15D-5D.
Citation X engine: ROLLS-ROYCE AE3007C.
Seats: 8 vs 12.
Cruise: 430 vs 480 kts.
Range: 1960 vs 3070 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Citation V Ultra: about $1900/hr variable cost.
Citation X: about $3800/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?
Citation V Ultra: 8 seats / 4,000 lb useful load.
Citation X: 12 seats / 6,800 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?
Citation V Ultra: 4,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$280,000.
Citation X: 5,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$600,000.
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