Does the BRZ use a Toyota engine?
No, not exactly. The BRZ’s powerplant is not a Toyota-made engine in the traditional sense. The first-generation BRZ used Subaru’s own 2.0-liter flat-four (FA20) with Toyota’s engineering input, while the current generation relies on a jointly developed 2.4-liter flat-four (FA24) that is shared with Toyota and used in the GR86.
To understand the full scope, it helps to trace the BRZ’s engine history across its two generations and how Toyota’s role has evolved from collaboration to shared powertrains.
Two generations, two engines
Here is a concise look at the engines that powered the BRZ across its two generations and what role Toyota played in each.
- First generation (2012–2020): FA20D 2.0-liter flat-four. This engine was designed and built by Subaru, with Toyota supplying engineering input and tuning collaboration. Power is typically around 200 horsepower with torque near 151 lb-ft, depending on market and transmission.
- Second generation (2022–present): FA24 2.4-liter flat-four. This engine was developed through a joint effort by Subaru and Toyota and is shared with the Toyota GR86. It produces about 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, with availability for both manual and automatic transmissions and improved low- to mid-range torque.
In sum, the BRZ’s engine history reflects a Toyota–Subaru partnership. The first generation relied on Subaru’s FA20 with Toyota input, while the latest generation uses a jointly developed FA24 engine shared with Toyota’s GR86.
What does Toyota contribute?
Toyota’s involvement centers on collaborative development, tuning, and platform alignment for the 86 family. While Toyota helps shape performance characteristics and engineering decisions, the engines themselves in the first generation were Subaru’s designs, and the newer 2.4-liter unit is a joint Subaru–Toyota product rather than a Toyota-branded engine.
Performance and numbers
The first-generation BRZ offered a spirited yet modest power output for a lightweight sports car, centered around approximately 200 hp. The second-generation BRZ, with the FA24 engine, delivers about 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, marking a significant step up in torque and tractability while maintaining the model’s lightweight, driver-focused character. Market specifications and transmissions can cause small variations.
Summary
The BRZ’s relationship with Toyota is best described as a deep, ongoing partnership rather than a case of using a Toyota engine outright. The first-generation BRZ used Subaru’s FA20 with Toyota input; the current generation uses a jointly developed FA24 engine shared with Toyota’s GR86. For enthusiasts, this means the BRZ remains a product of cross-brand collaboration, delivering Toyota-influenced engineering within Subaru’s engine architecture.
Conclusion
In today’s BRZ lineup, Toyota does not supply an exclusive Toyota engine for the car. Instead, Toyota’s contribution lies in cooperative development and tuning, resulting in a shared powertrain story across the BRZ and GR86. The engine’s lineage reflects a true co-development effort rather than a straightforward Toyota-provided engine.
Summary
Answering the question directly: the BRZ does not use a pure Toyota engine in its first generation; in the second generation, it uses a jointly developed 2.4-liter FA24 engine that is shared with the Toyota GR86. The partnership between Subaru and Toyota shapes the BRZ’s powertrain across generations, blending Subaru’s boxer-engine heritage with Toyota’s engineering collaboration.
Does the BRZ have a Toyota engine?
Toyota used Subaru's engine technology for its car, so both have the same 200hp 2.0-litre boxer engine, which is slightly different to the engines you'd find in most other cars except for many Subarus.
Which Subaru has a Toyota engine?
Subaru BRZ
Notably, the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 sports cars are joint efforts, blending Subaru's boxer engine expertise with Toyota's engineering and marketing strengths.
Is the BRZ a Toyota or Subaru?
The Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ are 2+2 sports cars jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, manufactured at Subaru's Gunma assembly plant.
Why are Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ the same?
The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ are nearly identical because they were developed through a collaboration between the two automakers, sharing the same platform, engine, and manufacturing plant. This partnership allowed both companies to reduce development costs while creating a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with a boxer engine. The main differences are in the branding, some tuning, minor exterior design tweaks, and available features.
This video explains the differences between the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ: 37sWhen Hann Meets CarsYouTube · May 9, 2025
Shared features and development
- Collaboration: The sports cars were a joint project between Subaru and Toyota to create a small, affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe.
- Platform and manufacturing: They are built on the same platform and manufactured on the same assembly line in a Subaru factory in Gunma, Japan.
- Engine: Both cars feature a horizontally opposed ("boxer") engine, which is a Subaru design.
- Drivetrain: They share the same rear-wheel-drive layout.
Minor differences
- Exterior styling: While the overall shape and many body panels are shared, each car has a slightly different front fascia and other minor cosmetic differences.
- Tuning: Toyota and Subaru have made some minor adjustments to the suspension tuning and electronic control units (ECUs) to give each car a slightly different feel, but their basic handling is very similar.
- Features: The specific features and trim levels available can vary between the two models.
