Piper Malibu vs Diamond DA62

The Piper Malibu PA-46 (six-seat pressurised single piston/turboprop, ~213-274 kt depending on variant) and Diamond DA62 (seven-seat twin Austro AE330 diesel, ~190 kt, unpressurised) are different-class aircraft — single vs twin, pressurised vs unpressurised.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Piper Malibu
For sale now
281
Median asking
$950,000
Range
$417,000–$3,032,000
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
103
Source marketplaces
18
Model years available
1984–2026
Diamond DA62
For sale now
62
Median asking
$1,401,151
Range
$1,042,000–$1,880,564
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
40
Source marketplaces
9
Model years available
2016–2026

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Piper Malibu Diamond DA62
Piper Malibu
View 274 listings →
Median $950,000
 Diamond DA62
View 63 listings →
Median $1,401,151
Price Range $417,000 – $3,032,000 $1,042,000 – $1,880,564
Category Single Engine Piston Multi Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 6 7
Horsepower 310 HP —
Cruise Speed 198 kts (367 km/h) 175 kts (324 km/h)
Range 1,300 nm (2,408 km) 1,100 nm (2,037 km)
Service Ceiling 25,000 ft (7,620 m) 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Max Gross Weight 4,100 lbs (1,860 kg) 5,070 lbs (2,300 kg)
Useful Load 1,200 lbs (544 kg) 1,300 lbs (590 kg)
Fuel Capacity 120.0 gal (454 L) 79.0 gal (299 L)
Fuel Burn 16.0 GPH (61 L/h) 14.0 GPH (53 L/h)
TBO 2,000 hrs 1,800 hrs
Overhaul Cost $35,000 $30,000
Annual Fixed $22,000 $22,000
Hourly Variable $190 $160
Engines 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) 2 x Diesel

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Piper Malibu

Fuel$88/hr
Variable$190/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $60,000/yr

Diamond DA62

Fuel$77/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $54,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Piper Malibu or Diamond DA62?

Bottom line: Choose the Malibu/M-series for pressurisation, higher cruise and the longer-range single-engine mission. Choose the DA62 for twin-engine redundancy, Jet-A diesel economics and modern composite construction — when unpressurised seven-seat operations fit the mission.

Pick the Malibu if…

  • Budget matters — from $417,000 vs $1,042,000, you save ~$625,000.
  • Faster cruise — 198 kts vs 175 kts.
  • Longer range — 1300 nm vs 1100 nm.
  • More inventory — 274 listings vs 63.

Pick the DA62 if…

  • Lower operating cost — ~$160/hr vs $190/hr.
  • More seats — 7 vs 6.
  • Newer design — production from 2015 vs 1984.

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 Malibu or Diamond DA62?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Malibu cruises at 198 kts with 1,300 nm range. The DA62 cruises at 175 kts with 1,100 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Malibu: from $299,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Malibu and Diamond DA62?
Seats: 6 vs 7. Cruise: 198 vs 175 kts. Range: 1300 vs 1100 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Malibu: about $190/hr variable cost. DA62: about $160/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?
Malibu: 6 seats / 1,200 lb useful load. DA62: 7 seats / 1,300 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?
Malibu: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000. DA62: 1,800-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000. 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