Cessna 172 Skyhawk vs Cessna 182 Skylane vs Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Cessna Caravan vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex

The Cessna Skyhawk (172) is a light, single‑engine piston trainer and personal aircraft, typically carrying four people with modest baggage and offering roughly 600–800 nautical miles of range depending on configuration. The Cessna Skylane (182) is a higher‑performance single‑engine piston step up, still generally four seats but with greater useful load and cruise, and commonly similar to slightly better range, often around 700–900 nautical miles. The Cessna Turbo Stationair (206) is a turbocharged, utility‑oriented piston aircraft suited to hauling people and gear, typically seating six and delivering about 600–900 nautical miles. The Cessna Caravan (208) shifts into single‑engine turboprop utility/commuter duty, usually configured for 9–14 passengers, with range commonly around 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on payload and tanks. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX (208B) is the stretched, more powerful turboprop variant with similar passenger capacity (often 9–14) but improved hot‑and‑high and payload performance, and range broadly comparable—generally about 900–1,200 nautical miles—varying with seating, cargo, and reserves.