Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Piaggio Avanti Evo
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft optimized for short, rugged operations. It typically carries up to about 9 passengers (often fewer depending on layout) and offers a practical range around 900–1,000 nautical miles, trading speed for simplicity, payload flexibility, and short‑field capability. The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a midsize business jet focused on faster point‑to‑point travel and higher cruise altitudes. It commonly seats 7–9 passengers in a business cabin and has a range on the order of 1,800–2,100 nautical miles, making it well suited to longer nonstop missions than the Caravan, with significantly higher cruise speeds and a more premium cabin environment. The Piaggio Avanti EVO is a twin‑turboprop business aircraft positioned between utility turboprops and light/midsize jets. It typically accommodates 6–8 passengers in an executive cabin and offers roughly 1,600–1,800 nautical miles of range. It is notably faster than most turboprops while generally not matching the XLS+ in outright speed or range, but can be more efficient on many missions.
| Spec | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Piaggio Avanti EVO |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.34 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Piaggio |
| Aircraft Name | XLS+ | Avanti EVO |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1906 | 1530 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.67 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 7540 | 3775 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,303 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 430 | 400 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,500,000 | $ 7,695,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — |
| Jump Seat | No | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 8 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 7 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | 9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 25230 | 24000 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 6600 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW545C | PT6A–66B |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 3600 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 28 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 4119 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Horsepower | — | 850 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 100 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 52.5 | 47.3 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 56.3 | 47.1 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.7 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.5 | 6.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.7 | 5.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 18.5 | 14.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.2 | 13.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.9 | 3.5 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 14.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 80 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | 35.2 |