Diamond DA40 vs Diamond DA42
The Diamond DA40 (single-engine, ~150 kt) and DA42 Twin Star (twin-engine, ~170 kt) are the single and twin members of the Diamond composite-diesel line — same design language and Austro AE diesel philosophy, but one engine vs two.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Diamond DA40 | Diamond DA42 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $149,900 – $733,889 | $489,259 – $1,162,757 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Multi Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 180 HP | — |
| Cruise Speed | 135 kts (250 km/h) | 170 kts (315 km/h) |
| Range | 635 nm (1,176 km) | 1,050 nm (1,945 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 16,400 ft (4,999 m) | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2,535 lbs (1,150 kg) | 3,935 lbs (1,785 kg) |
| Useful Load | 780 lbs (354 kg) | 940 lbs (426 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 40.0 gal (151 L) | 50.0 gal (189 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 9.5 GPH (36 L/h) | 12.0 GPH (45 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 1,800 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $25,000 | $28,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $16,000 | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $120 | $150 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 2 x Diesel |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateDiamond DA40
Fuel$52/hr
Variable$120/hr
Annual Fixed$16,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$40,000/yr
Diamond DA42
Fuel$66/hr
Variable$150/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$50,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Diamond DA40 or Diamond DA42?
Bottom line: Choose the DA40 for single-engine operating economics, the class-leading four-seat safety record and lower acquisition cost. Step up to the DA42 when you need twin-engine redundancy (IFR, overwater, multi-engine rating) and ~20 kt more cruise — at roughly double the fuel burn and twin-engine maintenance. 🚨 On DA42, verify Austro AE300 (not legacy Thielert) engines.
Pick the DA40 if…
- Budget matters — from $149,900 vs $489,259, you save ~$339,359.
- Lower operating cost — ~$120/hr vs $150/hr.
- More inventory — 88 listings vs 47.
Pick the DA42 if…
- Faster cruise — 170 kts vs 135 kts.
- Longer range — 1050 nm vs 635 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2004 vs 2000.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Diamond DA40 or Diamond DA42?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The DA40 cruises at 135 kts with 635 nm range.
The DA42 cruises at 170 kts with 1,050 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Diamond DA40: from $499,000.
Diamond DA42: from $607,672.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Diamond DA40 and Diamond DA42?
Cruise: 135 vs 170 kts.
Range: 635 vs 1050 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
DA40: about $120/hr variable cost.
DA42: about $150/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?
DA40: 4 seats / 780 lb useful load.
DA42: 4 seats / 940 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?
DA40: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$25,000.
DA42: 1,800-hour TBO, overhaul ~$28,000.
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