Diamond DA62 vs Piper Saratoga
The Piper Saratoga (six-seat single piston, ~150-165 kt) and Diamond DA62 (seven-seat twin Austro AE330 diesel, ~190 kt) are different-propulsion competitors — single vs twin, Avgas vs Jet-A diesel.
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Diamond DA62 | Piper Saratoga |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $550,000 – $1,930,360 | $39,900 – $745,000 |
| Category | Multi Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Horsepower | — | 300 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 175 kts (324 km/h) | 163 kts (302 km/h) |
| Range | 1,100 nm (2,037 km) | 950 nm (1,759 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 5,070 lbs (2,300 kg) | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,300 lbs (590 kg) | 1,360 lbs (617 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 79.0 gal (299 L) | 102.0 gal (386 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 14.0 GPH (53 L/h) | 15.0 GPH (57 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,800 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $160 | $170 |
| Engines | 2 x Diesel | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateDiamond DA62
Fuel$77/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$54,000/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: Diamond DA62 or Piper Saratoga?
Bottom line: Choose the DA62 for twin-engine redundancy, modern composite seven-seat cabin and Jet-A diesel economics. Choose the Saratoga for single-engine economics, the lower acquisition cost and the simpler Piper systems.
Pick the DA62 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$160/hr vs $170/hr.
- More seats — 7 vs 6.
- Faster cruise — 175 kts vs 163 kts.
- Longer range — 1100 nm vs 950 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2015 vs 1980.
Pick the Saratoga if…
- Budget matters — from $39,900 vs $550,000, you save ~$510,100.
- More inventory — 163 listings vs 65.
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 DA62 or Piper Saratoga?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The DA62 cruises at 175 kts with 1,100 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?
Piper Saratoga: from $494,900.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Diamond DA62 and Piper Saratoga?
Seats: 7 vs 6.
Cruise: 175 vs 163 kts.
Range: 1100 vs 950 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
DA62: about $160/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?
DA62: 7 seats / 1,300 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?
DA62: 1,800-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000.
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