Mooney M20 vs Beechcraft Bonanza
The Mooney M20 and the Beechcraft Bonanza are both classic metal retractable-gear travelers, but they aim at different owners. The Mooney is the efficiency champion — ~160 kt on a 200 hp engine and a low fuel burn, in a tight four-seat cabin built to go far on a budget. The Bonanza is the benchmark high-performance single: 300 hp, ~174 kt, a roomy four-to-six-seat cabin, and top-of-class build quality and ramp presence, at a higher purchase and running cost. The Mooney maximizes miles per gallon; the Bonanza maximizes cabin, load, and prestige.
Key specifications, side by side
| Mooney M20 | Beechcraft Bonanza | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4–6 |
| Engine | Lycoming IO-360-A (M20J) | Continental IO-550-B (A36) |
| Horsepower | 200 hp | 300 hp |
| Cruise speed | ~160 kt | ~174 kt |
| Range | ~1,000 nm | ~920 nm |
| Useful load | ~900 lb | ~1,050 lb |
| Fuel (usable) | 64 gal | 74 gal |
| Landing gear | Retractable tricycle | Retractable 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 Mooney M20
- The efficiency benchmark of piston singles — its low, tightly cowled airframe posts cruise numbers that embarrass airplanes burning far more fuel.
- A traveler, not a trainer: snug cabin, retractable gear, and more systems suit a pilot stepping up from a fixed-gear single.
- Low fuel burn keeps variable costs down, but the retractable gear adds an annual inspection and an insurance line, and entry/exit is tighter than a Cessna.
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.
Mooney M20 vs Beechcraft Bonanza — frequently asked questions
Quick answers for buyers and prospective co-owners.
Mooney M20 or Beechcraft Bonanza — which is cheaper to own?
The Mooney, generally. Its 200 hp engine sips far less fuel than the Bonanza’s 300 hp, and both carry the retractable-gear inspection and insurance line. The Bonanza costs more to buy and feed in exchange for a bigger cabin, more load, and more speed.
Which is faster, the M20 or the Bonanza?
The Bonanza, at about 174 kt versus roughly 160 kt for the M20 — but the Mooney achieves its speed on a much smaller engine, so the gap on fuel burn runs the other way. Both are genuine ~1,000 nm-class cross-country singles.
Which has more cabin and useful load?
The Bonanza. Its four-to-six-seat cabin and ~1,050 lb useful load outclass the Mooney’s snug four-seat layout, making the Bonanza the better choice for carrying people and bags while the Mooney wins on efficiency.