Mooney M20 vs Cirrus SR22
The Mooney M20 and the Cirrus SR22 are two very different answers to the same question: how do I cross the country quickly in a single? The Mooney is the efficiency benchmark — a low, slick retractable that posts ~160 kt on a 200 hp engine and modest fuel burn, in a deliberately snug cabin. The SR22 throws 310 hp and a wide composite cabin at the problem, cruising faster (~183 kt) with a glass panel and a CAPS whole-airframe parachute, but burning far more fuel. One wins on miles-per-gallon; the other on speed, space, and technology.
Key specifications, side by side
| Mooney M20 | Cirrus SR22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4–5 |
| Engine | Lycoming IO-360-A (M20J) | Continental IO-550-N |
| Horsepower | 200 hp | 310 hp |
| Cruise speed | ~160 kt | ~183 kt |
| Range | ~1,000 nm | ~1,000 nm |
| Useful load | ~900 lb | ~1,300 lb |
| Fuel (usable) | 64 gal | 92 gal |
| Landing gear | Retractable tricycle | — |
| Safety | — | CAPS whole-airframe parachute |
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 Cirrus SR22
- The CAPS whole-airframe parachute is the headline safety feature and a major insurance and resale talking point.
- 310 hp and ~183 kt cruise make it one of the fastest fixed-gear pistons — a serious cross-country machine.
- Side-yoke, glass panel, and a premium cabin feel closer to a modern car than a legacy GA aircraft, at a premium price.
Mooney M20 vs Cirrus SR22 — frequently asked questions
Quick answers for buyers and prospective co-owners.
Which is more fuel-efficient, a Mooney M20 or a Cirrus SR22?
The Mooney, by a wide margin. Its 200 hp engine and slick, low-drag airframe deliver ~160 kt on far less fuel than the SR22’s 310 hp, which trades that economy for ~183 kt cruise and a roomier cabin.
Is the Cirrus SR22 faster than a Mooney M20?
Yes. The SR22 cruises around 183 kt against roughly 160 kt for the M20. The Mooney closes much of the real-world gap on fuel burn and range, but the SR22 is the faster airplane outright and carries more.
Which has the bigger cabin?
The SR22. Its wide composite cabin seats four to five with easier entry, while the Mooney’s low, tightly cowled fuselage is famously snug. The Mooney trades cabin room for the efficiency that defines it; the SR22 trades fuel for space and the CAPS parachute.