Diamond Aircraft Da42 Vi vs Diamond Aircraft Da62 vs Piper M600
The Diamond DA42 VI is a light twin primarily optimized for efficient, lower-cost touring and training. It typically carries four occupants and offers solid real-world legs in the roughly 1,000–1,300 nautical mile class depending on power settings, payload, and reserves, making it well suited to shorter regional trips with excellent fuel economy. The Diamond DA62 is a larger, more capable piston twin aimed at family and business travel with more cabin space and comfort. It generally seats five to seven and, while still efficient, its range is usually in a similar or slightly higher band than the DA42 VI—often around 1,000–1,500 nautical miles—again depending on loading and operating choices, with the key difference being higher useful load and cabin flexibility. The Piper M600 SLS is a single-engine turboprop positioned a step up in performance and mission. It typically seats six and is designed for faster trips and higher-altitude capability, with range commonly around 1,200–1,500 nautical miles, trading the redundancy of a twin for turbine speed, high climb performance, and a more premium cross-country profile.
| Spec | Diamond Aircraft DA42 VI | Diamond Aircraft DA62 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| DOC / nm | $ 1.11 | $ 1.18 |
| Total Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Diamond Aircraft | Diamond Aircraft |
| Aircraft Name | DA42 VI | DA62 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1273 | 1283 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.28 | $ 0.24 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 1298 | 1565 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 211 | $ 225 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 190 | 190 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $869,000 | $1,290,000 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 3 |
| Cabin | ||
| Total Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Cockpit | — | 2 |
| Max Cabin Seats | — | 5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | — | 3 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | AE300 | AE330 |
| Fuel Type | Diesel / Jet Fuel | Diesel / Jet Fuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 1800 | 1800 |
| Horsepower | 168 | 180 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | 76.4 | 86 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 79.4 | 89 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 28.1 | 30.1 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 44.5 | 47.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 8.2 | 9.3 |