Cirrus SR22 vs Piper Saratoga

The Cirrus SR22 and Piper Saratoga are both serious single-engine IFR touring aircraft capable of carrying four to six people on meaningful cross-country trips — but they arrive at that mission from entirely different engineering eras. The Saratoga (PA-32R-301) is an all-metal retractable with a 300 hp Lycoming IO-540 that Piper refined over decades into one of the most capable and respected six-seat piston singles ever built. The SR22 is Cirrus's composite carbon-fiber design with a 310 hp Continental IO-550-N and the CAPS whole-aircraft parachute system — a fundamentally different approach to high-performance single ownership. The cross-shop attracts buyers who want the most airplane per dollar in six-seat IFR touring and find two different answers depending on what they value.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Cirrus SR22
For sale now
255
Median asking
$369,473
Range
$233,400–$867,970
Model years available
2001–2025
Piper Saratoga
For sale now
170
Median asking
$226,400
Range
$115,250–$495,525
Model years available
1965–2007

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)Cirrus SR22Piper Saratoga
All events1241
Serious80
Fatal380
Fatalities740
% Fatal31%0%
View full Cirrus SR22 NTSB record →View full Piper Saratoga NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cirrus SR22 Piper Saratoga
Cirrus SR22
View 249 listings →
Median $369,473
 Piper Saratoga
View 121 listings →
Median $226,400
Price Range $233,400 – $867,970 $115,250 – $495,525
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 5 6
Horsepower 310 HP 300 HP
Cruise Speed 183 kts (339 km/h) 163 kts (302 km/h)
Range 1,049 nm (1,943 km) 950 nm (1,759 km)
Service Ceiling 17,500 ft (5,334 m) 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Max Gross Weight 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg)
Useful Load 1,183 lbs (537 kg) 1,360 lbs (617 kg)
Fuel Capacity 92.0 gal (348 L) 102.0 gal (386 L)
Fuel Burn 13.5 GPH (51 L/h) 15.0 GPH (57 L/h)
TBO 2,000 hrs 2,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $36,000 $32,000
Annual Fixed $25,000 $20,000
Hourly Variable $180 $170
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cirrus SR22

Fuel$74/hr
Variable$180/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $61,000/yr

Piper Saratoga

Fuel$82/hr
Variable$170/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $54,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Cirrus SR22 or Piper Saratoga?

Bottom line: Choose the Saratoga for six full seats with meaningful useful load, docile handling that forgives a wider range of pilot proficiency, and the established resale market of a classic proven platform. The Saratoga's Lycoming IO-540 is one of the most thoroughly understood piston aircraft engines in existence; annuals are predictable and mechanics are plentiful. Choose the SR22 for the best-in-class pilot safety system — CAPS is the most meaningful safety technology in light aviation. An SR22 flown by a well-trained pilot who deploys CAPS at the right moment has survived otherwise fatal accidents that the Saratoga's conventional training provides no equivalent for. The SR22 also has better cruise efficiency (200–210 kt vs 170 kt) for four-passenger missions. Safety axis: CAPS is the undeniable safety differentiator. Cirrus's accident data shows CAPS saves lives in scenarios where conventional aircraft don't survive — spatial disorientation, structural failure, mid-air collision recoveries. No other single-engine piston aircraft below $500K offers equivalent passenger protection.

Pick the SR22 if…

  • Faster cruise — 183 kts vs 163 kts.
  • Longer range — 1049 nm vs 950 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 2001 vs 1980.
  • More inventory — 249 listings vs 121.

Pick the Saratoga if…

  • Budget matters — from $115,250 vs $233,400, you save ~$118,150.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$170/hr vs $180/hr.
  • More seats — 6 vs 5.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Piper Saratoga carry more passengers than the SR22?
The Saratoga is certified for six occupants (pilot + five passengers) with a typical useful load of 1,300–1,400 lb. The SR22 is certified for four occupants (pilot + three passengers) in standard configuration, though the SR22T and some variants allow five with appropriate weight calculations. For operators who regularly move five or six people, the Saratoga's six-seat certification is the practical deciding factor.
Does the SR22 parachute (CAPS) deploy in all accident scenarios?
CAPS is designed for deployment in scenarios where the aircraft can maintain enough altitude for parachute deceleration — typically above 700–1,000 ft AGL minimum. Low-altitude stall/spin, runway excursion, or landing accidents fall outside CAPS deployment feasibility. The parachute is most effective for in-flight structural failures, disorientation at altitude, and engine failure over unsurvivable terrain. Cirrus pilots are trained extensively on when and how to deploy CAPS; the system's effectiveness depends on proper training as much as the technology itself.
Which aircraft holds its value better, the SR22 or Saratoga?
The SR22 generally holds value significantly better than the Saratoga in percentage terms. Cirrus's continuous production updates, strong brand identity, and active buyer community for pre-owned SR22s maintain resale value well. The Saratoga was discontinued (the Saratoga II TC was the final variant), and the used market is aging. An SR22 purchased today typically retains value better over a 5–10 year ownership cycle than a comparable-value Saratoga.
Which is better, Cirrus SR22 or Piper Saratoga?
It depends on your mission and budget. The SR22 cruises at 183 kts with 1,049 nm range. The Saratoga cruises at 163 kts with 950 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cirrus SR22: from $284,900. Piper Saratoga: from $498,500. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cirrus SR22 and Piper Saratoga?
SR22 engine: Continental IO-550-N (310 hp). Seats: 5 vs 6. Cruise: 183 vs 163 kts. Range: 1049 vs 950 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
SR22: about $180/hr variable cost. Saratoga: about $170/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. Saratoga: 6 seats / 1,360 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. Saratoga: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000. 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