Cirrus SR20 vs Cirrus SR22
The Cirrus SR20 and SR22 are the same airframe with different engines — the SR20 has the Continental IO-360 (200 hp, ~155 kt cruise); the SR22 has the Continental IO-550 (310 hp, ~180-185 kt). Both share the CAPS whole-airframe parachute, Garmin Perspective+ avionics and composite construction.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Cirrus SR20 | Cirrus SR22 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $100,000 – $804,900 | $99,000 – $1,475,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Horsepower | 215 HP | 310 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 155 kts (287 km/h) | 183 kts (339 km/h) |
| Range | 875 nm (1,620 km) | 1,049 nm (1,943 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 17,500 ft (5,334 m) | 17,500 ft (5,334 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,150 lbs (1,429 kg) | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) |
| Useful Load | 900 lbs (408 kg) | 1,183 lbs (537 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | 92.0 gal (348 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 11.5 GPH (44 L/h) | 13.5 GPH (51 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $36,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $25,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $150 | $180 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCirrus SR20
Fuel$63/hr
Variable$150/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/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: Cirrus SR20 or Cirrus SR22?
Bottom line: Choose the SR22 for the meaningful jump in cruise, useful load and high-altitude performance — it is the volume Cirrus for serious cross-country flying. Choose the SR20 for lower acquisition cost, lower fuel burn and a docile training/owner-pilot platform — same Cirrus safety systems at half the power-section cost.
Pick the SR20 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$150/hr vs $180/hr.
Pick the SR22 if…
- Budget matters — from $99,000 vs $100,000, you save ~$1,000.
- More seats — 5 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 183 kts vs 155 kts.
- Longer range — 1049 nm vs 875 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2001 vs 1999.
- More inventory — 276 listings vs 179.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cirrus SR20 or Cirrus SR22?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The SR20 cruises at 155 kts with 875 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?
Cirrus SR20: from $145,613.
Cirrus SR22: from $769,900.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cirrus SR20 and Cirrus SR22?
SR20 engine: Continental IO-360-ES (215 hp).
SR22 engine: Continental IO-550-N (310 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 5.
Cruise: 155 vs 183 kts.
Range: 875 vs 1049 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
SR20: about $150/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?
SR20: 4 seats / 900 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?
SR20: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000.
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