Cirrus SR22 vs Piper Saratoga
The Cirrus SR22 (four-seat composite, ~180-185 kt, CAPS) and Piper Saratoga (six-seat aluminium, ~150-165 kt) are different-mission aircraft — the SR22 is the high-performance four- seater; the Saratoga is the family/load hauler six-seater.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Cirrus SR22 | Piper Saratoga |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $99,000 – $1,475,000 | $39,900 – $745,000 |
| 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
EstimateCirrus 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 seats and club-seating cabin — the family hauler. Choose the SR22 for modern Garmin avionics, CAPS parachute and ~20+ kt more cruise — when four seats are enough.
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 — 286 listings vs 170.
Pick the Saratoga if…
- Budget matters — from $39,900 vs $99,000, you save ~$59,100.
- 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
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 $769,900.
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