208 Caravan vs Kodiak 100
The Kodiak 100 leads, topping 4 of 7 compared metrics.
Put the Cessna / Textron Aviation 208 Caravan (introduced 1985) beside the Daher Kodiak Kodiak 100 (introduced 2007) and the trade-offs sharpen fast. Both are utility, which makes them natural cross-shopping rivals. The clearest separation between them is cabin capacity, where the Kodiak 100 carries more passengers. Below we compare them spec by spec, then break down which aircraft suits which mission.
6 more specs per aircraft — ceiling, climb, cabin, dimensions and more — are free with an account.
208 Caravan vs Kodiak 100: the key differences
- The Kodiak 100 delivers 6% more range (208 Caravan: 1,070 nm; Kodiak 100: 1,132 nm).
- The 208 Caravan delivers 2% more cruise speed (208 Caravan: 186 kt; Kodiak 100: 183 kt).
- The Kodiak 100 delivers 11% more passenger capacity (208 Caravan: 9 seats; Kodiak 100: 10 seats).
- The Kodiak 100 is the newer design (introduced 2007 versus 1985 for the 208 Caravan), a gap of 22 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
- The 208 Caravan is the larger aircraft by maximum takeoff weight (8,000 lbs versus 7,255 lbs), which typically buys more cabin and payload at the cost of higher trip economics.
Which mission suits which aircraft
Both aircraft are built for regional and short-to-medium legs, so outright range rarely separates them — the call leans on cabin (the Kodiak 100 seats more), trip economics and what is actually available on the market. Match the airframe to how you fly most weeks, not to the headline range figure.
Which should you choose?
On published specifications the Kodiak 100 leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The 208 Caravan can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
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208 Caravan vs Kodiak 100: FAQs
Which has the longer range, the 208 Caravan or the Kodiak 100?
The Kodiak 100 has the longer published range — 1,132 nm versus 1,070 nm for the 208 Caravan.
Does the 208 Caravan or Kodiak 100 seat more passengers?
The Kodiak 100 carries more passengers at maximum configuration — up to 10 seats, compared with 9 on the 208 Caravan.
Which is faster, the 208 Caravan or the Kodiak 100?
The 208 Caravan cruises faster, at 186 kt versus 183 kt for the Kodiak 100.
Which is newer, the 208 Caravan or the Kodiak 100?
The Kodiak 100 is the newer design, introduced in 2007 versus 1985 for the 208 Caravan.
Is the 208 Caravan or the Kodiak 100 the larger aircraft?
By maximum takeoff weight the 208 Caravan is the larger aircraft — 8,000 lbs versus 7,255 lbs for the Kodiak 100.
Should I buy the 208 Caravan or the Kodiak 100?
On published specifications the Kodiak 100 leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The 208 Caravan can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
Still weighing up the 208 Caravan vs Kodiak 100?
Specs only take you so far. Our advisors give an independent recommendation based on your mission, budget and how you actually fly — and represent your side through to purchase.