Cessna 182 vs Cirrus SR22T
The SR22T (turbocharged composite, ~213 kt) and Cessna 182 Skylane (~140 kt fixed-gear high-wing) are very different aircraft — the SR22T is the high-altitude cross-country sport; the 182 is the classic four-seat hauler.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 182
- For sale now
- 489
- Median asking
- $218,897
- Range
- $104,725–$564,768
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 167
- Source marketplaces
- 21
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
Cirrus SR22T
- For sale now
- 303
- Median asking
- $774,900
- Range
- $349,900–$1,184,900
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 192
- Source marketplaces
- 19
- Model years available
- 2004–2025
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Generations Breakdown
Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.
Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.
Cessna 182 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 Continental (early) | 1956–1976 | O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 209 |
| 182 Continental (late) | 1977–1986 | O-470-U | 3100 | 142 | 700 | 82 |
| T182 Turbo | 1981–1986 | TIO-540-AK1A | 3100 | 158 | 970 | 49 |
| 182 Lycoming | 1997–now | IO-540-AB1A5 | 3100 | 145 | 930 | 166 |
Cirrus SR22T — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
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) | Cessna 182 | Cirrus SR22T |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2779 | 1 |
| Serious | 249 | 0 |
| Fatal | 529 | 0 |
| Fatalities | 1000 | 0 |
| % Fatal | 19% | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 | Cirrus SR22T |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $104,725 – $564,768 | $349,900 – $1,184,900 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 315 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 213 kts (394 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 1,021 nm (1,891 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 1,098 lbs (498 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | 92.0 gal (348 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) | 16.0 GPH (61 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $40,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $28,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $160 | $210 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 182
Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Cirrus SR22T
Fuel$88/hr
Variable$210/hr
Annual Fixed$28,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$70,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Cirrus SR22T?
Bottom line: Choose the SR22T for high-altitude cruise, modern avionics and CAPS parachute. Choose the 182 for utility, large useful load and much lower acquisition cost.
Pick the 182 if…
- Budget matters — from $104,725 vs $349,900, you save ~$245,175.
- Lower operating cost — ~$160/hr vs $210/hr.
Pick the SR22T if…
- More seats — 5 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 213 kts vs 140 kts.
- Longer range — 1021 nm vs 640 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2010 vs 1956.
- More inventory — 302 listings vs 102.
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 Cirrus SR22T and Cessna 182?
The SR22T is a turbocharged high-performance composite single in a different class than the 182 — approximately 213 kt cruise versus the 182's approximately 140 kt, with the CAPS parachute, modern glass avionics, and a narrower but faster airframe. The 182 Skylane is the classic simple fixed-gear four-seat tourer — heavier useful load, more forgiving handling, and dramatically lower acquisition and operating cost. Speed and safety tech versus simplicity and economy.
SR22T or 182 — which four-seater?
Buy the SR22T if speed above 200 kt, the CAPS safety system, and modern composite construction are worth the significantly higher acquisition and operating cost — it is one of the fastest production piston singles ever built. Buy the 182 if 140 kt is adequate, simplicity and low cost matter, and four seats without turbo complexity are the requirement. For most casual personal flying, the 182 is the more rational choice.
Is the extra speed worth the SR22T premium?
On a 500-nm trip, 213 kt versus 140 kt saves roughly an hour of flight time; on a 200-nm trip, about 25 minutes. Whether that is worth the operating-cost premium depends on how you value your time and how often you fly. For frequent business travel where time saved is revenue earned, yes; for weekend leisure flying, the 182's lower cost is almost always the better choice.
How do useful load and real-world payload compare?
The 182T's useful load handles four adults with bags on a typical trip. The SR22T's useful load is similar, but full fuel plus four adults is typically tight — most SR22T missions fly with two passengers at practical range. Both are genuinely four-seat aircraft; neither regularly carries four adults plus baggage at full fuel.
How do specs compare?
Cessna 182T: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (230 hp), four seats, fixed gear, ~140 kt, ~900 nm. Cirrus SR22T: Continental TSIO-550-K (~315 hp), four-plus-one seats, fixed gear, ~213 kt, ~1,000 nm, CAPS.
Which should I buy?
182 for straightforward four-seat touring at the lowest practical ownership cost — the defining four-seat piston single. SR22T for pilots who specifically need piston-single speed above 200 kt and value the CAPS safety system, at a meaningfully higher total cost of ownership. The choice is about cost tolerance and speed requirement — both aircraft handle the same routes.
Which is better, Cessna 182 or Cirrus SR22T?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
The SR22T cruises at 213 kts with 1,021 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $110,000.
Cirrus SR22T: from $479,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 182 and Cirrus SR22T?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp).
SR22T engine: Continental IO-550-N (315 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 5.
Cruise: 140 vs 213 kts.
Range: 640 vs 1021 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182: about $160/hr variable cost.
SR22T: about $210/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?
182: 4 seats / 1,110 lb useful load.
SR22T: 5 seats / 1,098 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?
182: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000.
SR22T: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$40,000.
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