When production of the Models 120 and 140 ended, Cessna concentrated upon the development of four-seat aircraft of similar configuration. It was not until the first flight of the Cessna Model 150, during September 1957, that the company re-entered the two-seat lightplane market. An all-metal braced high-wing monoplane, of similar configuration to the Model 140, this Model 150 differed primarily by the introduction of non-retractable tricycle landing gear, the installation of dual controls being optional, and by having a 75kW Continental O-200 engine.

Production began in August 1958 and by the time it ended during 1977 a total of 23,836 had been built, this figure including 1,754 built in France by Reims Aviation under the designation Reims F-150. Just before the end of production the aircraft had been available in Model 150 Standard, Commuter, Commuter II and Aerobat versions. The differences between the first three represented varying standards of installed equipment, and there was also a wide range of optional avionics and equipment available. The aerobat embodied structural changes permitting a licence in the Aerobatic category for load factors of +6g and -3g at full gross weight, its aerobatic capability allowing such manoeuvres as aileron, barrel and snap rolls, chandelles, loops and vertical reverses.

In 1977 the Cessna 150 range was replaced on the production lines by the basically similar Cessna Model 152. Improvements included a more powerful Avco Lycoming O-235 engine giving 81kW, plus installation and cowling changes to reduce engine noise and vibration, together with a McCauley propeller of a modified blade section. Between 1977 and 1986 the aircraft was available in four versions; the standard Model 152, the slightly heavier Model 152 II with a package of factory installed avionics and omni-directional light beacon, the further improved Model 152 Trainer with other improvements including an intercom system and transponder, and the Model 152 Aerobat with the same aerobatic capabilities as the 150 Aerobat. When production ceased in 1986, 7,482 Model 152 and Aerobats had been produced including 640 built under licence in France by Reims Aviation.