The Cirrus SR22 is the best-selling piston aircraft of the 21st century. Since its 2001 debut, Cirrus has delivered more SR22s than any other manufacturer has sold of any single model in the same era. That's not marketing copy — it's a production reality backed by FAA registration data. Something about this composite-construction, parachute-equipped, glass-cockpit machine resonated deeply with a generation of pilots who wanted speed, genuine cross-country capability, and a real safety net.

When the SR22 launched, it was radical. A 310 hp Continental IO-550-N in a carbon-fibre composite airframe, one of the first integrated glass avionics suites, and the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) as standard equipment from day one. It redefined what a high-performance single could be: not a stripped-down racer, but a practical cross-country machine with honest safety margins for real-world pilots flying real-world conditions.

Today the used SR22 market is the most liquid in general aviation. Good aircraft, great aircraft, and tired aircraft — this guide will help you tell the difference.

What a Cirrus SR22 Actually Costs

Over 6,278 sales tracked on Sprinkle, the market breaks down cleanly by generation.

Generation	Years	Typical Range	Median Sale Price
G1	2001–2003	$200,000–$280,000	$229,700
G2	2004–2007	$250,000–$380,000	$289,900
G3	2007–2012	$280,000–$550,000	$439,000
G5	2013–2016	$449,000–$750,000	$649,900
G6	2016–2022	$460,000–$1,000,000	$859,450
G7	2022–present	$849,000–$1,590,000	$1,219,000

Based on 6,278 sales in the Sprinkle database.

Average days on market: 344 days — longer than most trainer aircraft, reflecting the care buyers take with a six-figure purchase. Well-priced G2s and G3s move faster; G6 and G7 inventory is newer and warrants patience.

Over 5,400 people search "Cirrus SR22 price" every month — the most-searched pricing query in general aviation.

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The Generations: What Actually Changed

The SR22 has evolved through seven numbered generations. Note there is no G4 — Cirrus skipped the designation. The differences between generations matter enormously for daily usability and resale value.

G1 (2001–2003): The original. 310 hp Continental IO-550-N, Avidyne Entegra panel, manual flaps. CAPS was present from day one — a Cirrus commitment that never wavered. These are the most affordable SR22s, but the avionics are genuinely dated. Budget for a panel update if you need LPV approaches or modern traffic and weather capability.

G2 (2004–2007): Added the SR22T turbocharged variant and the GTS trim level with upgraded interiors. Turbonormalised (TN) versions also appeared — a middle path between normally aspirated and full turbo, offering high-altitude breathing without full turbocharger maintenance complexity. G2 GTS aircraft represent strong value for the experienced buyer who doesn't mind older glass.

G3 (2007–2012): The first major avionics leap. Most G3 aircraft were delivered with Garmin's Perspective suite rather than Avidyne — a transformative jump in situational awareness and approach capability. Useful load increased to up to 1,170 lbs. The CAPS handle was redesigned. G3 Turbo GTS aircraft remain highly capable cross-country machines by any measure.

G5 (2013–2016): Garmin Perspective+ avionics, revised interior, new prop configurations. G5 aircraft are where the SR22 solidified its reputation as a near-jet experience in a piston single. Used G5 turbos are competitive with near-new aircraft for mission capability.

G6 (2016–2022): Perspective Touch — a fully touchscreen avionics suite. Improved audio panel, enhanced cooling, updated CAPS handle and rocket motor. G6 GTS Turbo examples priced at $700K–$900K represent the current market's most sought-after combination of recency and relative affordability.

G7 / G7+ (2022–present): The current aircraft. HUD standard on GTS trim, updated avionics with Garmin's latest integration, and Cirrus's optional "Safe Return" emergency autoland system — which lands the aircraft autonomously without pilot input at the press of a button. New G7 and G7+ variants list from $1.2M–$1.5M+ and used examples command near-new prices.

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What to Inspect Before You Buy

The SR22 has specific failure modes every buyer must understand. A generic annual inspection is insufficient — insist on a Cirrus Service Provider (CSP) or an A&P with documented SR22 experience and composite training.

1. CAPS condition and repack date

The whole point of a Cirrus is the parachute. Verify the CAPS is within its 10-year mandatory repack interval (cost: $20,000–$25,000 when due), the handle cover is intact, and there is no deployment record in the logs. A deployed CAPS is a significant red flag: the airframe must be inspected, the rocket motor and bridle typically replaced, and the parachute repacked — costs that can exceed $30,000 before the aircraft flies again.

2. Engine cylinder condition

The Continental IO-550-N is durable but has a known failure mode: cracks developing between the fuel injector nozzle boss and the top spark plug boss. Insist on a borescope inspection of all six cylinders. Have the oil filter cut open and inspect for metal (a magnet distinguishes ferrous from non-ferrous particles). Any engine approaching TBO — typically $35,000–$50,000 for a factory remanufacture — should be negotiated heavily into the purchase price.

3. Composite airframe integrity

Run your hands along every inspection panel and pay close attention to the belly. Look for waviness, colour mismatches, or evidence of repaired impact damage. Commission a professional composite inspection on any aircraft with vague or incomplete damage history. Poorly-executed composite repairs are both expensive to correct and damaging to resale value.

4. Landing gear and brake system

AD compliance on the brake system must be current — early SR22s had brake-induced fire incidents that resulted in an AD requiring O-ring replacement and a brake temperature inspection port. Verify this is fully documented. Check brake pad thickness; the SR22's 3,400 lb gross weight consumes pads faster than lighter aircraft.

5. Door latches

Early G1 and G2 aircraft had door-fit issues leading to inadvertent openings in flight. Cirrus redesigned the latch mechanism; verify the upgraded hardware is installed. On any aircraft you fly before purchase, test both door latches through their full range.

6. Logbooks and avionics status

An SR22 without complete airframe, engine, and propeller logbooks loses material value and creates ongoing liability. Check ADS-B compliance documentation. Verify the WAAS GPS is certified for LPV approaches. Confirm the avionics database subscriptions are current — a lapsed subscription signals neglected maintenance culture more broadly.

Running Costs

Assuming 100 hours per year at 75% power. All figures USD.

Item	Annual Cost
Fuel (16 GPH × $6.50/gal × 100 hrs)	$10,400
Engine reserve ($20/hr toward TBO)	$2,000
Annual inspection	$1,500–$2,500
Routine maintenance	$2,500–$4,000
Hangar	$4,800–$18,000
Insurance (experienced IFR pilot, $400K hull)	$5,000–$10,000
CAPS repack reserve ($2,000/yr)	$2,000
Total	~$28,000–$49,000/year

Low-time pilots (under 300 hours) should add $5,000–$10,000 to the insurance line. High-time pilots with documented Cirrus training may see insurance drop below $5,000.

The SR22 is not cheap to own. But nothing in piston aviation delivers 185 knots true airspeed, 1,000+ nm range, four seats with genuine luggage capacity, and a ballistic safety system for less. At 100+ hours annually, the per-seat-mile economics are genuinely compelling.

Community & Support

The Cirrus Owners & Pilots Association (COPA) is one of the most active type clubs in general aviation — approximately 7,000 members worldwide, decades of accumulated institutional knowledge, and a safety record that backs it up: COPA members are statistically 50% less likely to be involved in a crash than non-members.

Joining COPA before or immediately after purchase is the single best investment a new SR22 owner can make. The forum alone will save you money in the first year of ownership.

Cirrus maintains an authorised service network of Cirrus Service Providers (CSPs) across North America, Europe, and key markets globally. For in-production aircraft (G5 onward), parts availability is excellent. Even G1 and G2 owners find most components available through the OEM, though lead times on specialty composite parts can be longer.

Who Should Buy This Aircraft

The SR22 is built for an IFR-current pilot who wants to cover serious distances with speed and confidence. The ideal buyer has 300+ hours total time, an instrument rating, and has completed — or plans to complete — the Cirrus Pilot Proficiency Program (CPPP) offered through COPA-affiliated instructors. Cirrus transition training is not a luxury; it is the difference between using the aircraft's capability safely and being surprised by it.

This is not the right next step for a VFR-only pilot coming out of a 172. The SR22's high wing loading, complex systems, and substantial performance envelope reward disciplined pilots who stay current — and penalise those who don't.

Where it excels: mission-focused owner-pilots flying 75–150 hours per year on genuine trips. Coast-to-coast runs with two adults and luggage. Weekend travel that would be exhausting in a slower aircraft. Instrument approaches into weather that would ground a lighter, less capable machine. That's the use case the aircraft was designed for, and where it earns every dollar of its cost.

Bottom Line

The Cirrus SR22 is the most proven modern piston aircraft in the world. Two decades of operational history, the deepest owner community in GA, and a manufacturer that is still in business and still improving the aircraft.

A well-maintained G2 or G3 puts genuine cross-country capability within reach at $300,000–$500,000. G5 and G6 aircraft deliver near-jet comfort at half the jet price. G7 variants are for buyers who want the current state of the art.

Buy one with complete logs, a recent annual from a Cirrus Service Provider, CAPS in date, and a pre-purchase inspection by an SR22-experienced shop. Join COPA before you fly it home. Get the transition training.

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