TB20 - due range with load.
Can you expand on that?
Every design is a compromise, and the TB20 pushes that compromise further than most - IF you want to do 2- and 3-up touring. Sure there are faster planes (which do considerably less MPG) and planes that do even more MPG (which have smaller cockpit cross-sections). If you actually want to carry 4 people with junk, that is a totally different proposition, for which there are few if any "cheap" solutions.
I particularly don't think the SR22 compares that well against a TB20. Style is an individual thing as always, the parachute likewise, but that's about it. I would not swap a brand new fully loaded $500k SR22 for my 2002 TB20.
why does the Cessna 400 (formerly Columbia) never get mentioned in these discussions?
It's quite a rare beast. According to one report I read, Cessna reportedly sold approx 1 (one) during 2010. I have flown in one (probably not the same one
) and it is impressive in performance, but you pay for it in fuel flow. It is perhaps the most capable unpressurised SE plane you can buy now. The current price is very high - ~ $750k according to recent news reports. For another $250k you can buy a reasonable Jetprop which will totally wipe it (and everything else "piston") off the floor, on just about every parameter.