Diamond DA62 vs Piper Seneca
The Diamond DA62 (seven-seat composite twin, Austro AE330 diesels, ~190 kt) and Piper Seneca (six-seat aluminium piston twin, ~190 kt) are competing twins — composite vs aluminium, diesel vs Avgas.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Diamond DA62 | Piper Seneca |
|---|---|---|
|
|
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| Price Range | $550,000 – $1,930,360 | $53,000 – $750,826 |
| Category | Multi Engine Piston | Multi Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Cruise Speed | 175 kts (324 km/h) | 180 kts (333 km/h) |
| Range | 1,100 nm (2,037 km) | 750 nm (1,389 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 5,070 lbs (2,300 kg) | 4,750 lbs (2,155 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,300 lbs (590 kg) | 1,590 lbs (721 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 79.0 gal (299 L) | 123.0 gal (466 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 14.0 GPH (53 L/h) | 22.0 GPH (83 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,800 hrs | 1,800 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $40,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $25,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $160 | $280 |
| Engines | 2 x Diesel | 2 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateDiamond DA62
Fuel$77/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$54,000/yr
Piper Seneca
Fuel$121/hr
Variable$280/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$81,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Diamond DA62 or Piper Seneca?
Bottom line: Choose the DA62 for Jet-A diesel economics, modern composite seven-seat cabin and Garmin G1000 NXi — the modern light twin. Choose the Seneca for materially lower acquisition cost and the simpler proven Piper twin platform. ================================================================ # NAVAJO × CESSNA (2) ================================================================
Pick the DA62 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$160/hr vs $280/hr.
- More seats — 7 vs 6.
- Longer range — 1100 nm vs 750 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2015 vs 1972.
Pick the Seneca if…
- Budget matters — from $53,000 vs $550,000, you save ~$497,000.
- Faster cruise — 180 kts vs 175 kts.
- More inventory — 107 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 Seneca?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The DA62 cruises at 175 kts with 1,100 nm range.
The Seneca cruises at 180 kts with 750 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Seneca: from $384,118.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Diamond DA62 and Piper Seneca?
Seats: 7 vs 6.
Cruise: 175 vs 180 kts.
Range: 1100 vs 750 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
DA62: about $160/hr variable cost.
Seneca: about $280/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.
Seneca: 6 seats / 1,590 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.
Seneca: 1,800-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