Embraer Phenom 300E vs Cessna Citation CJ4
The Matchup
The Phenom 300E and Citation CJ4 are the two most capable light jets in production. Both are single-pilot certified, both cover 2,000+ NM nonstop, and both serve the owner-operator and small corporate market. The Phenom has dominated the sales charts for over a decade. The CJ4 fights back with slightly more range and Cessna's unmatched service network. Here's which one earns your money.
Head to Head
| Embraer Phenom 300E | Spec | Cessna Citation CJ4 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,010 NM at Mach 0.75 | Range | ★2,165 NM at Mach 0.72 |
155 NM more range. A modest but real advantage that extends the CJ4's reach on a few marginal city pairs. | ||
| Mach 0.80★ | Max Speed | Mach 0.77 |
The Phenom is the fastest light jet available. On a 1,500 NM trip, the speed advantage saves 15–20 minutes. Over a year of flying, that compounds. | ||
| 5 ft 1 in★ | Cabin Width | 4 ft 10 in |
Three inches wider. In a light jet, that's significant — it translates to noticeably wider seats and more shoulder room. | ||
| 17 ft 2 in | Cabin Length | ★17 ft 4 in |
Two inches longer. Negligible difference. | ||
| 4 ft 11 in★ | Cabin Height | 4 ft 9 in |
Two inches taller. Neither cabin allows full stand-up, but the Phenom has marginally more headroom. | ||
| 7–10 | Passengers | 7–10 |
| 45,000 ft | Ceiling | 45,000 ft |
| 3,209 ft★ | Takeoff Distance | 3,410 ft |
201 feet shorter. A minor advantage. | ||
| 2,621 ft★ | Landing Distance | 2,940 ft |
319 feet shorter. More meaningful — the Phenom accesses slightly shorter runways. | ||
| 2× Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E1 (3,478 lbs each) | Engines | ★2× Williams FJ44-4A (3,621 lbs each) |
The Williams engines deliver slightly more thrust. The PW535E1 is more fuel-efficient. Both are reliable light-jet powerplants. | ||
| $11M–$14.35M asking (September 2026) | 2026 Acquisition Market Reference | $5.52M–$11.48M Vref (July 2026) |
Market research reviewed October 8, 2026: Embraer Phenom 300E: $11M–$14.35M asking (September 2026); Cessna Citation CJ4: $5.52M–$11.48M Vref (July 2026). These retain their different source dates and measurement bases. Public asking examples, model-wide valuations and production positions are not interchangeable achieved sale prices. Sources: https://thejetagent.com/market-report/embraer-phenom-300e-market-update-september-2026/ | https://www.duncanaviation.aero/files/aircraft-sales/Business-Jet-Model-Market-Summary-Metric.pdf | ||
155 NM more range. A modest but real advantage that extends the CJ4's reach on a few marginal city pairs.
The Phenom is the fastest light jet available. On a 1,500 NM trip, the speed advantage saves 15–20 minutes. Over a year of flying, that compounds.
Three inches wider. In a light jet, that's significant — it translates to noticeably wider seats and more shoulder room.
Two inches longer. Negligible difference.
Two inches taller. Neither cabin allows full stand-up, but the Phenom has marginally more headroom.
201 feet shorter. A minor advantage.
319 feet shorter. More meaningful — the Phenom accesses slightly shorter runways.
The Williams engines deliver slightly more thrust. The PW535E1 is more fuel-efficient. Both are reliable light-jet powerplants.
Market research reviewed October 8, 2026: Embraer Phenom 300E: $11M–$14.35M asking (September 2026); Cessna Citation CJ4: $5.52M–$11.48M Vref (July 2026). These retain their different source dates and measurement bases. Public asking examples, model-wide valuations and production positions are not interchangeable achieved sale prices. Sources: https://thejetagent.com/market-report/embraer-phenom-300e-market-update-september-2026/ | https://www.duncanaviation.aero/files/aircraft-sales/Business-Jet-Model-Market-Summary-Metric.pdf
Cost Comparison
Market research reviewed October 8, 2026: Embraer Phenom 300E: $11M–$14.35M asking (September 2026); Cessna Citation CJ4: $5.52M–$11.48M Vref (July 2026). These retain their different source dates and measurement bases. Public asking examples, model-wide valuations and production positions are not interchangeable achieved sale prices. Sources: https://thejetagent.com/market-report/embraer-phenom-300e-market-update-september-2026/ | https://www.duncanaviation.aero/files/aircraft-sales/Business-Jet-Model-Market-Summary-Metric.pdf Operating-cost figures remain historical planning estimates. Compare both aircraft using the same annual hours, fuel price, crew basis, reserves and exclusions.
Model these costs with your own hours, fuel price, and crew.
Open Cost Comparison Tool →Which One Wins?
Phenom 300E
Mach 0.80 — the fastest light jet in the world. If getting there faster matters, the Phenom wins.
CJ4
155 NM more range. If your missions consistently push beyond 2,000 NM, the CJ4 provides more margin.
Phenom 300E
Three inches wider with a more refined interior design. The Phenom's cabin feels more spacious.
CJ4
Textron has 20+ factory-owned service centers — the largest in business aviation. For operators in less-served markets, this matters.
Phenom 300E
The best-selling light jet in the world for over a decade. The Phenom 300E has stronger resale values, faster time-on-market, and more buyer demand. If you plan to sell in 5–7 years, the Phenom retains value better.
The Final Take
The Phenom 300E is the better light jet for most buyers. It's faster, has a wider cabin, better field performance, and significantly stronger resale value. There's a reason it's been the world's best-selling light jet for over a decade — the total package is simply more compelling. The CJ4 fights back on range and service network. If you fly 2,000+ NM missions regularly and value having a Cessna service center within easy reach, the CJ4 is a solid choice. It's also slightly less expensive new. But the honest assessment: the Phenom 300E wins this comparison. The speed advantage, wider cabin, and superior resale value make it the default recommendation in the light jet category. The CJ4 is a good aircraft that competes with a great one.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Overall — yes. Faster, wider cabin, better resale value. The CJ4 wins on range and service network. But the Phenom is the stronger all-around light jet.
For most buyers, the Phenom 300E. Choose the CJ4 if range is your top priority or Cessna's service network is important to your operations.
The Phenom 300E — Mach 0.80 vs Mach 0.77. It's the fastest light jet available.
Yes — both are certified and commonly operated with a single pilot.
Market research reviewed October 8, 2026: Embraer Phenom 300E: $11M–$14.35M asking (September 2026); Cessna Citation CJ4: $5.52M–$11.48M Vref (July 2026). These retain their different source dates and measurement bases. Public asking examples, model-wide valuations and production positions are not interchangeable achieved sale prices. The sample does not establish a fixed premium or faster resale for every aircraft.
Historical planning estimate; obtain current aircraft-specific pricing. Nearly identical — both run approximately $900K–$1.1M per year at 400 hours including fixed and variable costs.
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Let's TalkLast updated: 2026-10-08