A BOXER engine has horizontally opposed cylinders, with pistons moving on opposite sides of the crankshaft. The flat arrangement positions the engine low in the vehicle and helps balance its movement.

Subaru identifies a lower center of gravity and reduced vibration as benefits of this layout. For your test drive, compare how the selected vehicle feels through ordinary turns, at cruising speed and during comfortable acceleration. The engine is one part of the complete vehicle's driving character.

The BOXER layout gives Subaru a distinctive engineering foundation. Useful benefits to understand include:

• Low engine placement: supports chassis balance and responsive handling.
• Balanced piston motion: helps reduce engine vibration for a smoother experience.
• Safety-oriented design: Subaru describes the low mounting position as allowing the engine to move below the cabin in a frontal collision. This is a design feature, not a guarantee of a particular crash outcome.

Compare the full vehicle alongside the engine: seating position, visibility, driver-assistance equipment, cargo access and tire condition all deserve attention. Explore our Forester, Crosstrek and Outback inventory to begin with the model that fits your routine.

Choose the powertrain as carefully as the body style. The 2026 Forester Hybrid combines a BOXER gasoline engine with electric-motor technology. Fully electric Solterra, Trailseeker and Uncharted vehicles use EV powertrains instead of BOXER combustion engines.

Engine design and driven wheels are separate questions: the 2027 BRZ pairs a 2.4-liter BOXER engine with rear-wheel drive. Our Subaru AWD guide explains why the exact model year and trim matter.

Compare fuel-economy ratings and equipment for the specific configuration rather than expecting identical performance from every BOXER engine. For an EV, consider your charging plan. Explore BRZ, Solterra, Trailseeker or Uncharted options here on our website.