Cessna 172 vs Piper Cherokee
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk, Piper Cherokee and Diamond DA40 Star are the three most common four-seat trainers — high-wing Cessna, low-wing Piper and modern composite Diamond. The 172 is the ubiquitous standard, the Cherokee the planted low-wing PA-28, and the DA40 the newer composite with an exceptional safety record. Three routes to the same four-seat mission. Current prices and counts for each are below.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 421
- Median asking
- $134,231
- Range
- $61,563–$324,965
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 112
- Source marketplaces
- 19
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
- For sale now
- 602
- Median asking
- $116,400
- Range
- $59,948–$277,250
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 164
- Source marketplaces
- 23
- Model years available
- 1961–2026
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Generations Breakdown
Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.
Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.
Cessna 172 — 3 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 Continental | 1956–1967 | O-300 | 2300 | 118 | 520 | 136 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 130 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 103 |
Piper Cherokee — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Cessna 172 | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | 1 |
| Serious | 542 | 0 |
| Fatal | 960 | 0 |
| Fatalities | 1802 | 0 |
| % Fatal | 14% | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $59,948 – $277,250 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–160 HP | 150 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) | 117 kts (217 km/h) |
| Range | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) | 525 nm (972 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 14,300 ft (4,359 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) | 2,150 lbs (975 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 850 lbs (386 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | 50.0 gal (189 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 8.0 GPH (30 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $28,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $16,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $120 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172
Piper Cherokee
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Piper Cherokee?
Bottom line: Choose the 172 Skyhawk for the safe default — the most-supported airplane anywhere, high-wing visibility and easy ownership. Choose the Cherokee for the low-wing feel — a stable, planted ride and a big Piper following. Choose the DA40 Star for the modern choice — a composite airframe, great visibility and one of the lowest fatal-accident rates in general aviation. On safety all three are exceptionally benign trainers; the DA40's record stands out, while the choice between the others is wing layout and feel, not safety. High-wing classic, low-wing Piper, or modern composite.
Pick the 172 if…
- Faster cruise — 118 kts vs 117 kts.
- More inventory — 167 listings vs 26.
Pick the Cherokee if…
- Budget matters — from $59,948 vs $61,563, you save ~$1,615.
- Lower operating cost — ~$120/hr vs $130/hr.
- Longer range — 525 nm vs 518 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1961 vs 1956.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.