Cessna expected the new 172 to have only limited success, in view of the release of the Cessna 177 Cardinal at the same time. But the Cessna 172 became the most successful mass produced light aircraft in history.

The Skyhawk went through a series of developments in terms of aerofoil redesign, wider track undercarriage, increased fuel capacity options, reshaped windows and an optional higher standard "II" equipment package. High performance variants included the R172 Hawk XP, with a 195 hp engine, and the 172RG, with retracting undercarriage and a 180 hp Lycoming O-360 engine. Production models ran from the 172I of 1968 to the 172P of 1985. Total Cessna 172 family production over 42,500, of which the civil Continental powered models account for about 15,800.