Cirrus SR22 vs Diamond DA40
The Cirrus SR22 (~180-185 kt, 310 hp) and Diamond DA40 (~150 kt, 180 hp) are different power-class four-seat composites — the SR22 is high-performance; the DA40 is the efficient economical composite.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Cirrus SR22 | Diamond DA40 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $99,000 – $1,475,000 | $149,900 – $733,701 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 310 HP | 180 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 183 kts (339 km/h) | 135 kts (250 km/h) |
| Range | 1,049 nm (1,943 km) | 635 nm (1,176 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 17,500 ft (5,334 m) | 16,400 ft (4,999 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) | 2,535 lbs (1,150 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,183 lbs (537 kg) | 780 lbs (354 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | 40.0 gal (151 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 13.5 GPH (51 L/h) | 9.5 GPH (36 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $36,000 | $25,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $25,000 | $16,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $180 | $120 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCirrus SR22
Fuel$74/hr
Variable$180/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$61,000/yr
Diamond DA40
Fuel$52/hr
Variable$120/hr
Annual Fixed$16,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$40,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cirrus SR22 or Diamond DA40?
Bottom line: Choose the SR22 for higher cruise, more useful load, CAPS parachute and the larger support network. Choose the DA40 for materially lower acquisition and operating cost, the youngest active fleet and benign Diamond handling.
Pick the SR22 if…
- Budget matters — from $99,000 vs $149,900, you save ~$50,900.
- More seats — 5 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 183 kts vs 135 kts.
- Longer range — 1049 nm vs 635 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2001 vs 2000.
- More inventory — 286 listings vs 95.
Pick the DA40 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$120/hr vs $180/hr.
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 SR22 or Diamond DA40?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The SR22 cruises at 183 kts with 1,049 nm range.
The DA40 cruises at 135 kts with 635 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cirrus SR22: from $769,900.
Diamond DA40: from $529,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cirrus SR22 and Diamond DA40?
SR22 engine: Continental IO-550-N (310 hp).
Seats: 5 vs 4.
Cruise: 183 vs 135 kts.
Range: 1049 vs 635 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
SR22: about $180/hr variable cost.
DA40: about $120/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?
SR22: 5 seats / 1,183 lb useful load.
DA40: 4 seats / 780 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?
SR22: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$36,000.
DA40: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$25,000.
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