Beechcraft Bonanza vs Piper Saratoga
The Beechcraft Bonanza and the Piper Saratoga are both 300 hp travelers, but they optimize for different things. The A36 Bonanza is the benchmark high-performance single — fast at about 174 kt, top-tier build quality and ramp presence, with a four-to-six-seat cabin. The PA-32R Saratoga is the big-cabin hauler: a genuine six-seat cabin with a third row, around 1,350 lb of useful load, and 102 gallons of fuel, cruising a touch slower at about 160 kt. The Bonanza wins on speed and prestige; the Saratoga wins on cabin room and load.
Key specifications, side by side
| Beechcraft Bonanza | Piper Saratoga | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4–6 | 6 |
| Engine | Continental IO-550-B (A36) | Lycoming IO-540-K (PA-32R-301) |
| Horsepower | 300 hp | 300 hp |
| Cruise speed | ~174 kt | ~160 kt |
| Range | ~920 nm | ~900 nm |
| Useful load | ~1,050 lb | ~1,350 lb |
| Fuel (usable) | 74 gal | 102 gal |
| Landing gear | Retractable tricycle | Retractable or fixed tricycle |
Representative figures for a popular variant of each family — exact specs vary by model year, engine, and avionics configuration.
What's different about the Beechcraft Bonanza
- Build quality and ramp presence put it at the top of the single-engine piston class — the classic "doctor's airplane."
- 300 hp, retractable gear, and ~174 kt make the A36 a fast six-seat family and business cross-country plane.
- Premium parts and the V-tail variant's history mean higher upkeep; a thorough pre-buy and type-specific training matter.
What's different about the Piper Saratoga
- The six-seat flagship of the PA-32 family — a true third row plus the useful load to fill it makes it a real family and IFR traveler.
- For owners who have outgrown four seats and want a big-cabin single in fixed- or retractable-gear form.
- Big cabin means a big fuel burn, so it is not the cheapest single to run — exactly why co-ownership across a few families is the classic approach.
Beechcraft Bonanza vs Piper Saratoga — frequently asked questions
Quick answers for buyers and prospective co-owners.
Which is faster, a Bonanza or a Saratoga?
The Bonanza, at about 174 kt versus roughly 160 kt for the Saratoga — both on 300 hp, but the Bonanza’s airframe is slicker. The Saratoga spends that energy on a bigger cabin and more load rather than outright speed.
Which carries more, the Bonanza or the Saratoga?
The Saratoga, clearly — about 1,350 lb of useful load, a true six-seat cabin with a third row, and 102 gallons of fuel, against roughly 1,050 lb and 74 gallons for the Bonanza. The Saratoga is the choice when you regularly carry more than four people with bags.
Which should I choose?
Choose the Bonanza for speed, classic build quality, and a four-to-six-seat cabin if your loads are moderate. Choose the Saratoga when you routinely fill six seats and want the big cabin and useful load, accepting a little less speed. Both are premium retractable singles whose upkeep is often shared across a partnership.