C182 vs Cherokee 6

I recently got my high performance checkout and have taken a 182Q for
a couple of X-C flights. I love the ability to put four people in the
plane and still climb out at 500 ft/min at over 100 knots. If it
wasn't for the additional costs, I would never fly an C172 again.

On both flights, the cruise speed was around 125 knots. Fuel burn was
around 12 gph. I can rent a Cherokee 6/260 for the same price ($95
dry). I doubt I would need the extra seats, but I was wondering what
the average cruise speed and fuel burn would be. I have rented a
Cherokee 140 and the fuel burn was much higher than the C172 with the
same engine, (8-9 vs 6) I know the Cherokee's larger engine should
mean a larger fuel burn, but would the additional speed make up for
it?

thanks

John