Piper Arrow vs Cirrus SR20
The Cirrus SR20 (modern composite, ~155 kt, fixed-gear with CAPS) and Piper Arrow (aluminium retractable, ~135-140 kt, no chute) are very different aircraft — the SR20 is the modern safety-system airplane; the Arrow is the classic complex-rating retractable trainer.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Piper Arrow | Cirrus SR20 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $44,950 – $429,460 | $100,000 – $804,900 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 200 HP | 215 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 135 kts (250 km/h) | 155 kts (287 km/h) |
| Range | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 875 nm (1,620 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 15,400 ft (4,694 m) | 17,500 ft (5,334 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2,750 lbs (1,247 kg) | 3,150 lbs (1,429 kg) |
| Useful Load | 940 lbs (426 kg) | 900 lbs (408 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 72.0 gal (273 L) | 56.0 gal (212 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 10.5 GPH (40 L/h) | 11.5 GPH (44 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $145 | $150 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Arrow
Fuel$58/hr
Variable$145/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$47,000/yr
Cirrus SR20
Fuel$63/hr
Variable$150/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Piper Arrow or Cirrus SR20?
Bottom line: Choose the SR20 for modern Garmin glass, CAPS parachute and ~15-20 kt more cruise. Choose the Arrow for the lowest-cost four-seat retractable and complex-rating training utility — accepting older systems and retractable-gear maintenance.
Pick the Arrow if…
- Budget matters — from $44,950 vs $100,000, you save ~$55,050.
- Lower operating cost — ~$145/hr vs $150/hr.
- More inventory — 188 listings vs 179.
Pick the SR20 if…
- Faster cruise — 155 kts vs 135 kts.
- Longer range — 875 nm vs 720 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1999 vs 1967.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Piper Arrow or Cirrus SR20?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Arrow cruises at 135 kts with 720 nm range.
The SR20 cruises at 155 kts with 875 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Arrow: from $79,000.
Cirrus SR20: from $145,575.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Arrow and Cirrus SR20?
SR20 engine: Continental IO-360-ES (215 hp).
Cruise: 135 vs 155 kts.
Range: 720 vs 875 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Arrow: about $145/hr variable cost.
SR20: 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?
Arrow: 4 seats / 940 lb useful load.
SR20: 4 seats / 900 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?
Arrow: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000.
SR20: 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