Comparing CJ4 Gen2 & Citation Ascend

TLDR; The Citation Ascend is an upgraded XLS with new engines, new avionics, new interior, and a new windshield design.

The Citation CJ4 Gen 2 is the largest 525 series aircraft that Cessna has built. It can carry 11 passengers. This jet would fly Aviate Alabama owner, Brian Harmon, from Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport (KBHM) to Los Angeles, California (LAX) non-stop. As are all of the CJ models, this aircraft is also single pilot certified. However, additional training and minimum hours are required for insurance sign off typically.

The Citation Ascend builds upon 20 years of lessons learned with the XLS and brings a flat floor to the mix. Engine improvements provide modest performance gains, reduced noise, and better efficiency.

For maintenance-cautious customers, you should take delight in Mid-life inspection and overhaul intervals have been extended to 3,000 hours and 6,000 hours respectively for operators enrolled in either Textron Aviation’s pay-per-hour PowerAdvantage or PowerAdvantage+ program.

While not single-pilot certified, the APU is approved for unattended operation. Netjets is the largest launch customer for the Ascend having agreed to acquire 1,500 Cessna Citation Ascends. When deliveries start in 2025, they will accept up to 100 deliveries per year for the next 15 years.

The Ascend can get, Harmon, from KBHM to anywhere in the United States non-stop, most of Canada, and even as far south as Colombia. The Citation Ascend is priced to move at $16.725 Million. In 2022, a brand new CJ4 Gen2 could be purchased for the low price of $11 million.