208 Caravan vs Kodiak 900
The Kodiak 900 leads, topping 6 of 7 compared metrics.
Put the Cessna / Textron Aviation 208 Caravan (introduced 1985) beside the Daher Kodiak Kodiak 900 (introduced 2023) and the trade-offs sharpen fast. Both are utility, which makes them natural cross-shopping rivals. The clearest separation between them is range, where the Kodiak 900 has the advantage. 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 900: the key differences
- The Kodiak 900 delivers 29% more range (208 Caravan: 1,070 nm; Kodiak 900: 1,380 nm).
- The Kodiak 900 delivers 15% more cruise speed (208 Caravan: 186 kt; Kodiak 900: 214 kt).
- The Kodiak 900 delivers 11% more passenger capacity (208 Caravan: 9 seats; Kodiak 900: 10 seats).
- The Kodiak 900 is the newer design (introduced 2023 versus 1985 for the 208 Caravan), a gap of 38 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
- The Kodiak 900 is the larger aircraft by maximum takeoff weight (8,500 lbs versus 8,000 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 900 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 900 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.
More comparisons
208 Caravan vs Kodiak 900: FAQs
Which has the longer range, the 208 Caravan or the Kodiak 900?
The Kodiak 900 has the longer published range — 1,380 nm versus 1,070 nm for the 208 Caravan.
Does the 208 Caravan or Kodiak 900 seat more passengers?
The Kodiak 900 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 900?
The Kodiak 900 cruises faster, at 214 kt versus 186 kt for the 208 Caravan.
Which is newer, the 208 Caravan or the Kodiak 900?
The Kodiak 900 is the newer design, introduced in 2023 versus 1985 for the 208 Caravan.
Is the 208 Caravan or the Kodiak 900 the larger aircraft?
By maximum takeoff weight the Kodiak 900 is the larger aircraft — 8,500 lbs versus 8,000 lbs for the 208 Caravan.
Should I buy the 208 Caravan or the Kodiak 900?
On published specifications the Kodiak 900 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 900?
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.