Piper Saratoga vs Cirrus SR22
The Cirrus SR22 (four-seat composite, ~180-185 kt, CAPS) and Piper Saratoga (six-seat aluminium, ~150-165 kt) are different-mission aircraft — the SR22 is the high-performance four- seater; the Saratoga is the family/load hauler six-seater.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 170
- Median asking
- $226,400
- Range
- $115,250–$495,525
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 64
- Source marketplaces
- 15
- Model years available
- 1965–2007
- For sale now
- 255
- Median asking
- $369,473
- Range
- $233,400–$867,970
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 149
- Source marketplaces
- 16
- Model years available
- 2001–2025
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
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) | Piper Saratoga | Cirrus SR22 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 1 | 124 |
| Serious | 0 | 8 |
| Fatal | 0 | 38 |
| Fatalities | 0 | 74 |
| % Fatal | 0% | 31% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Piper Saratoga | Cirrus SR22 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $115,250 – $495,525 | $233,400 – $867,970 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 5 |
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 310 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 163 kts (302 km/h) | 183 kts (339 km/h) |
| Range | 950 nm (1,759 km) | 1,049 nm (1,943 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) | 17,500 ft (5,334 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,360 lbs (617 kg) | 1,183 lbs (537 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 102.0 gal (386 L) | 92.0 gal (348 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 15.0 GPH (57 L/h) | 13.5 GPH (51 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $36,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $170 | $180 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Saratoga
Cirrus SR22
Which Should You Buy: Piper Saratoga or Cirrus SR22?
Bottom line: Choose the Saratoga for six seats and club-seating cabin — the family hauler. Choose the SR22 for modern Garmin avionics, CAPS parachute and ~20+ kt more cruise — when four seats are enough.
Pick the Saratoga if…
- Budget matters — from $115,250 vs $233,400, you save ~$118,150.
- Lower operating cost — ~$170/hr vs $180/hr.
- More seats — 6 vs 5.
Pick the SR22 if…
- Faster cruise — 183 kts vs 163 kts.
- Longer range — 1049 nm vs 950 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2001 vs 1980.
- More inventory — 251 listings vs 171.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.