Cirrus SR22 VS Cirrus SR20/what is the difference

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[kentwilliams]

Thanks much. I had been wondering about the differences.

[BlueSideUp]

The real difference: The SR22 is a somewhat IFR capable machine, with the climb rates and speeds typical for it. It's flown around 175kt at 17, 5 gph LOP. The SR20 is more a VFR machine, even if technically you get the same perspective+ avionics (the STec 55 is long gone) with full IFR capabilities. It's a much more efficiently flown aircraft, cruising around 130kt at 8, 5 gph (the IO360 versions). You can theoretically do this with an SR22, but who pays the extra money for flying it SR20 style? The airframes are mostly identical, the SR20 needs less landing distance because it's much lighter, and more takeoff roll because of the lower powered engine. The SR20 climbs about 750 ft/min., the SR22 more like double that (initially, degrading with altitude in normally aspirated models). For VFR flying, you don't get so high that you would need a turbo. For IFR flying, that makes more sense. A NA SR20 needs a minute for 200ft at 10.000ft density altitude.

The choice is mission based. You want a comfortable, stable traveling machine for VFR and 4 people (rather 3 and luggage or 2 adults, 2 kids and luggage)? The SR20 is your plane, if you want a BRS (CAPS in that case) your ONLY certified option. You want it efficient? Buy an older plane with the Continental 6 cylinder, not the 4 cylinder Lycoming planes mostly flown ROP as per target fuel flow indication in the avionics.

You need to fly 4 people reliably at given dates to given destinations? That means you need IFR, the SR22T is your option. If you want a BRS, your only piston engine option (the other one is the SF50 vision jet, also Cirrus, single turbine).

Both SR2x are ridiculously expensive for a SEP plane because of the lack of competition in the market segment. There is a very knowledgeable and supportive owners community, COPA, that pays for itself with the map and chart data discounts alone it negotiated with Jeppesen. That's for all SR2x, but mostly, the SR22 is flown and mostly in the US.