Archived 27 May 2026
Archived side-by-side comparison from the Freestream library
Three Cessna Citation variants occupy distinct positions in the midsize and super-midsize market. The Citation X is the fastest of the set, powered by Rolls-Royce AE 3007C1 engines and certificated to 51,000 ft; production ran from 1993 to 2012. The Citation Sovereign is a twin-aisle-capable midsize platform produced from 2002 to 2013, powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C engines with a range of 2,620 nautical miles seats-full. The Citation VII is the smallest and oldest, produced from 1992 to 2000 with Honeywell TFE731 engines.
All three aircraft are out of production and circulate in the pre-owned market. This archived comparison uses Conklin & de Decker data pulled 27 May 2026 under consistent assumptions.
The Citation X is certificated under FAR 25 and produced from 1993 to 2012. It is powered by twin Rolls-Royce AE 3007C1 engines and equipped with the Honeywell Primus Elite avionics suite. At 525 knots maximum cruise, it holds the highest cruise speed in this comparison. Range is 2,890 nautical miles seats-full. The single-zone cabin measures 23.75 ft in length, 5.5 ft wide, and 5.7 ft tall.
| Production | 1993 – 2012 |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 470 kts |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 525 kts |
| Range, Seats-Full | 2,890 nm |
| Ferry Range | 3,125 nm |
| Rate of Climb | 3,650 ft/min |
| Engine-Out Ceiling | 26,000 ft |
| Balanced Field Length | 5,250 ft |
| Cabin Dimensions (L × W × H) | 23.75 × 5.5 × 5.7 ft |
| Baggage Volume (Total) | 82 cu ft (external) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 36,100 lb |
| Basic Operating Weight | 22,025 lb |
| Usable Fuel | 12,931 lb |
| Variable Cost Per Hour | $5,167 |
| Annual Fixed Cost | $1,086,331 |
The Citation Sovereign is certificated under FAR 25 and produced from 2002 to 2013. It is powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306C engines with the Honeywell Primus Epic (CDS/R) avionics suite. Range is 2,620 nautical miles seats-full at a maximum cruise of 459 knots. The cabin measures 25.25 ft in length, 5.5 ft wide, and 5.7 ft tall, with 135 cu ft of total baggage volume.
| Production | 2002 – 2013 |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 388 kts |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 459 kts |
| Range, Seats-Full | 2,620 nm |
| Ferry Range | 3,010 nm |
| Rate of Climb | 4,016 ft/min |
| Engine-Out Ceiling | 27,560 ft |
| Balanced Field Length | 3,750 ft |
| Cabin Dimensions (L × W × H) | 25.25 × 5.5 × 5.7 ft |
| Baggage Volume (Total) | 135 cu ft (35 internal, 100 external) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 30,300 lb |
| Basic Operating Weight | 18,150 lb |
| Usable Fuel | 11,223 lb |
| Variable Cost Per Hour | $4,022 |
| Annual Fixed Cost | $777,252 |
The Citation VII is certificated under FAR 25 and produced from 1992 to 2000. It is powered by twin Honeywell TFE731-4R-2S engines, with a maximum cruise speed of 452 knots and a range of 1,693 nautical miles seats-full. The cabin measures 18.4 ft in length, 5.5 ft wide, and 5.7 ft tall, accommodating up to eight passengers. Production totalled 119 aircraft.
| Production | 1992 – 2000 |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 417 kts |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 452 kts |
| Range, Seats-Full | 1,693 nm |
| Ferry Range | 1,824 nm |
| Rate of Climb | 4,315 ft/min |
| Engine-Out Ceiling | 22,000 ft |
| Balanced Field Length | 5,100 ft |
| Cabin Dimensions (L × W × H) | 18.4 × 5.5 × 5.7 ft |
| Baggage Volume (Total) | 54 cu ft (external) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 22,450 lb |
| Basic Operating Weight | 14,250 lb |
| Usable Fuel | 7,385 lb |
| Variable Cost Per Hour | $3,695 |
| Annual Fixed Cost | $714,422 |
Key metrics across all three Citation variants. Hover a column to highlight; best values in each row are accented. Acquisition cost excluded by design.
| Citation X | Citation Sovereign | Citation VII | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | |||
| Range, Seats-Full | 2,890 nm | 2,620 nm | 1,693 nm |
| Ferry Range | 3,125 nm | 3,010 nm | 1,824 nm |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 525 kts | 459 kts | 452 kts |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 470 kts | 388 kts | 417 kts |
| Maximum Altitude | 51,000 ft | 47,000 ft | 51,000 ft |
| Rate of Climb | 3,650 ft/min | 4,016 ft/min | 4,315 ft/min |
| Engine-Out Ceiling | 26,000 ft | 27,560 ft | 22,000 ft |
| Balanced Field Length | 5,250 ft | 3,750 ft | 5,100 ft |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 36,100 lb | 30,300 lb | 22,450 lb |
| Cabin | |||
| Cabin Length | 23.75 ft | 25.25 ft | 18.4 ft |
| Cabin Width | 5.5 ft | 5.5 ft | 5.5 ft |
| Cabin Height | 5.7 ft | 5.7 ft | 5.7 ft |
| Passenger Capacity | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| Baggage Volume (Total) | 82 cu ft | 135 cu ft | 54 cu ft |
| Operating Economics | |||
| Variable Cost / Hour | $5,167 | $4,022 | $3,695 |
| Fuel / Hour | $1,930 | $1,405 | $1,440 |
| Maintenance / Hour | $1,175 | $1,177 | $953 |
| Engine Reserves / Hour | $1,450 | $1,140 | $1,014 |
| Annual Fixed Cost | $1,086,331 | $777,252 | $714,422 |
Assumes 250 flight hours per year, $5.00 per US gallon Jet A, $105 per hour maintenance labour, 600 nm average trip.
All performance and operating cost figures are drawn from Conklin & de Decker (JSSI) via Freestream's subscription account, pulled 27 May 2026. Figures reflect the specific variant records held by C&D at that date.
Hourly variable and annual fixed costs are modelled at 250 flight hours per year, $5.00 per US gallon Jet A, $105 per hour maintenance labour, and a 600 nm average trip. Crew, hangar, insurance, and training are included in the fixed line. Acquisition cost is excluded.
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