Legacy 500 vs Hawker 800XP
The Legacy 500 leads, topping 7 of 7 compared metrics.
Put the Embraer Executive Jets Legacy 500 (introduced 2014) beside the Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 800XP (introduced 1995) and the trade-offs sharpen fast. Both are business jets, which makes them natural cross-shopping rivals. The clearest separation between them is cabin capacity, where the Legacy 500 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.
Legacy 500 vs Hawker 800XP: the key differences
- The Legacy 500 delivers 23% more range (Legacy 500: 3,125 nm; Hawker 800XP: 2,540 nm).
- The Legacy 500 delivers 4% more cruise speed (Legacy 500: 466 kt; Hawker 800XP: 447 kt).
- The Legacy 500 delivers 50% more passenger capacity (Legacy 500: 12 seats; Hawker 800XP: 8 seats).
- The Legacy 500 is the newer design (introduced 2014 versus 1995 for the Hawker 800XP), a gap of 19 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
- The Legacy 500 is the larger aircraft by maximum takeoff weight (38,360 lbs versus 28,000 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 transcontinental missions, so outright range rarely separates them — the call leans on cabin (the Legacy 500 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 Legacy 500 leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The Hawker 800XP 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
Legacy 500 vs Hawker 800XP: FAQs
Which has the longer range, the Legacy 500 or the Hawker 800XP?
The Legacy 500 has the longer published range — 3,125 nm versus 2,540 nm for the Hawker 800XP.
Does the Legacy 500 or Hawker 800XP seat more passengers?
The Legacy 500 carries more passengers at maximum configuration — up to 12 seats, compared with 8 on the Hawker 800XP.
Which is faster, the Legacy 500 or the Hawker 800XP?
The Legacy 500 cruises faster, at 466 kt versus 447 kt for the Hawker 800XP.
Which is newer, the Legacy 500 or the Hawker 800XP?
The Legacy 500 is the newer design, introduced in 2014 versus 1995 for the Hawker 800XP.
Is the Legacy 500 or the Hawker 800XP the larger aircraft?
By maximum takeoff weight the Legacy 500 is the larger aircraft — 38,360 lbs versus 28,000 lbs for the Hawker 800XP.
Should I buy the Legacy 500 or the Hawker 800XP?
On published specifications the Legacy 500 leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The Hawker 800XP 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 Legacy 500 vs Hawker 800XP?
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.