Diamond Aircraft Da40 Xlt vs Maule Aircraft M 9 235i vs Tecnam P2010 P
In category, the Diamond Aircraft DA40 XLT and Tecnam P2010 P are modern single‑engine, fixed‑gear, four‑seat piston airplanes typically used for training, touring, and efficient cross‑country flying, while the Maule M‑9 235i is a more utility‑oriented, high‑wing four‑seat piston aircraft known for rugged, short/rough‑field and backcountry capability. For range, the DA40 XLT generally offers the longest practical cross‑country reach among the three due to its efficiency, the Tecnam P2010 P is usually comparable but a bit shorter depending on fuel fit and power setting, and the M‑9 235i tends to have the shortest range because it trades efficiency for higher power and load/field performance. For passenger capacity, all three are commonly configured for four occupants (pilot plus three passengers), though real‑world carrying ability varies: the DA40 and P2010 prioritize comfort and cruise economy, whereas the M‑9 emphasizes useful load flexibility and operations from shorter, less‑prepared strips.
| Spec | Diamond Aircraft DA40 XLT | Maule Aircraft M-9 235i | Tecnam P2010 P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| DOC / nm | $ 0.88 | — | — |
| Total Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Diamond Aircraft | Maule Aircraft | Tecnam |
| Aircraft Name | DA40 XLT | M-9 235i | P2010 P |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA | EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 790 | 876 | 600 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.22 | — | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 900 | 1100 | 925 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 125 | — | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G5 | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 137 | 137 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $485,000 | $355,000 | $430,360 |
| Cabin | |||
| Total Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | No | No | No |
| Model | IO-360 M1A | I0-540-W1A5 | IO 360 M1A |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas | AvGas / MoGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Horsepower | 180 | 235 | 180 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | 48 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 50 | 85 | 63.4 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 10.3 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 26.5 | 23.7 | 26.15 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 38.2 | 33 | 33.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 6.5 | 6.4 | 8.7 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 42 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 3.74 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 3 |