Cessna 182 vs Sonaca 201
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
Cessna 182
- For sale now
- 489
- Median asking
- $218,897
- Range
- $104,725–$564,768
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
Sonaca 201
- For sale now
- 4
- Model years available
- 2021–2021
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 182 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 Continental (early) | 1956–1976 | O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 218 |
| 182 Continental (late) | 1977–1986 | O-470-U | 3100 | 142 | 700 | 86 |
| T182 Turbo | 1981–1986 | TIO-540-AK1A | 3100 | 158 | 970 | 50 |
| 182 Lycoming | 1997–now | IO-540-AB1A5 | 3100 | 145 | 930 | 168 |
Sonaca 201 — 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 182 | Sonaca 201 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2779 | — |
| Serious | 249 | — |
| Fatal | 529 | — |
| Fatalities | 1000 | — |
| % Fatal | 19% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 | Sonaca 201 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $104,725 – $564,768 | $126,384 – $150,574 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 2 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 115 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 110 kts (204 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 750 nm (1,389 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 1,653 lbs (750 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 569 lbs (258 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | 23.0 gal (87 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) | 5.2 GPH (20 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $20,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $10,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $160 | $75 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 182
Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Sonaca 201
Fuel$29/hr
Variable$75/hr
Annual Fixed$10,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$25,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Sonaca 201?
Pick the 182 if…
- Budget matters — from $104,725 vs $126,384, you save ~$21,659.
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 110 kts.
- More inventory — 106 listings vs 2.
Pick the 201 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$75/hr vs $160/hr.
- Longer range — 750 nm vs 640 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2018 vs 1956.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cessna 182 or Sonaca 201?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
The 201 cruises at 110 kts with 750 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $104,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 182 and Sonaca 201?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 2.
Cruise: 140 vs 110 kts.
Range: 640 vs 750 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182: about $160/hr variable cost.
201: about $75/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?
182: 4 seats / 1,110 lb useful load.
201: 2 seats / 569 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?
182: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000.
201: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$20,000.
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 re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data