Are any Subaru 6 cylinders?
Yes. Subaru has produced six-cylinder boxer engines in the past, but the current lineup relies on four-cylinder powerplants.
This article provides a look at Subaru’s historical six-cylinder engines, which models used them, why the brand moved away from six-cylinders, and what Subaru’s engine lineup looks like today.
Historical six-cylinder engines
Subaru’s six-cylinder boxer engines were a relatively small but notable part of the brand’s engineering legacy. The two main generations were a 3.0-liter flat-six and a later 3.6-liter flat-six, used across a handful of models before being phased out.
- 3.0-liter flat-six (H6) used in the Subaru B9 Tribeca and related models, roughly mid-2000s to mid-2010s.
- 3.6-liter flat-six (EZ36) used in various mid- to late-2010s models, including certain Legacy and Outback configurations.
These engines offered smooth, willing power but added weight and complexity. As emissions standards tightened and consumer demand shifted toward lighter, more efficient platforms, Subaru gradually moved away from six-cylinder configurations in favor of four-cylinder designs—augmented by turbocharged options when extra performance was desired.
Current status of six-cylinder options
As of 2025, Subaru does not offer a factory six-cylinder engine in any new model. The brand’s current lineup centers on four-cylinder engines, including turbocharged variants in select models to maintain performance without the extra weight of a six-cylinder layout.
For enthusiasts seeking a six-cylinder Subaru, the practical path today is to seek a used vehicle from earlier generations that originally offered a flat-six engine.
Summary
Subaru did produce six-cylinder boxer engines in the past—the 3.0L H6 and the later 3.6L EZ36—powered in models like the Tribeca and various Legacy/Outback configurations. These engines have since been phased out in favor of lighter four-cylinder designs, and no new Subaru models currently offer a six-cylinder option. Used examples remain the primary source for those chasing the classic six-cylinder Subaru experience.
