Mooney M20 vs Piper Comanche
The Mooney M20 and the Piper Comanche are two efficient, four-seat retractable-gear travelers that post nearly identical ~160 kt cruise and ~1,000 nm range — but they get there differently. The Mooney does it on just 200 hp, with a low, slick airframe and a famously snug cabin, making it the fuel-economy benchmark. The Comanche uses a bigger 250 hp engine for a much larger useful load and a roomier cabin, with optional long-range tanks, at the cost of more fuel and a parts supply that runs through type clubs since it left production decades ago. One wins on miles per gallon; the other on load and cabin.
Key specifications, side by side
| Mooney M20 | Piper Comanche | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Engine | Lycoming IO-360-A (M20J) | Lycoming O-540-A (PA-24-250) |
| Horsepower | 200 hp | 250 hp |
| Cruise speed | ~160 kt | ~160 kt |
| Range | ~1,000 nm | ~1,000 nm |
| Useful load | ~900 lb | ~1,250 lb |
| Fuel (usable) | 64 gal | 60 gal (90 optional) |
| 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 Piper Comanche
- A fast, low-wing retractable from before the Cherokee — 160+ kt on modest fuel with big tanks for genuine long-leg range.
- Suits a pilot who wants a lot of capable, efficient traveling airplane for the money and will join an active type community.
- Out of production for decades, so some parts come through type clubs and specialists — a shared maintenance kitty and a knowledgeable mechanic matter.
Mooney M20 vs Piper Comanche — frequently asked questions
Quick answers for buyers and prospective co-owners.
Mooney M20 or Piper Comanche — which is more fuel-efficient?
The Mooney. It matches the Comanche’s ~160 kt cruise on just 200 hp versus the Comanche’s 250 hp, so it burns noticeably less fuel for the same speed. The Comanche spends that extra power on a much bigger useful load.
Which carries more?
The Comanche, by a wide margin — about 1,250 lb of useful load against roughly 900 lb for the Mooney, plus a roomier cabin and optional long-range tanks. The Mooney trades cabin and load for the efficiency that defines it.
Which is easier to own?
The Mooney has the broader, more current parts supply, while the Comanche has been out of production for decades, so some parts come through type clubs and specialists. Both are retractables that add a gear inspection and an insurance line, so a shared maintenance kitty helps on either.