Is the Subaru engine made by Toyota?
Subaru engines are not made by Toyota. They are designed and manufactured by Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries/Subaru Corporation), and Toyota participates in a strategic partnership that has led to shared technologies and joint development projects—most notably the sports-car powertrain shared by the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ.
The basics of Subaru engine development
Subaru has historically designed and built its own engine families, such as the EJ, FB, and FA series, with a focus on horizontally opposed (boxer) configurations and, in many models, standard all-wheel drive. The company emphasizes in-house engineering and manufacturing to preserve its characteristic balance and performance traits.
In-house engineering
Subaru’s engineers lead the design, testing, and production planning for its engines, aiming for reliability and smooth operation across its lineup. While suppliers provide certain components, the core architecture and tuning remain under Subaru’s control.
Toyota’s role in the partnership
Toyota maintains a long-running strategic alliance with Subaru. The partnership includes cross-ownership stakes, shared technology development, and collaborative platform work. This cooperation has yielded benefits such as jointly developed powertrain tech and shared sport-car engineering, but it does not mean Toyota manufactures Subaru-branded engines.
Key collaborations and shared platforms
Below are notable areas where Toyota and Subaru have collaborated on engine and powertrain technology. These examples illustrate collaboration rather than implying that Subaru engines are produced by Toyota.
- The 2.0-liter flat-four engine family used in the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, a product of joint development between Subaru and Toyota for their sport coupes.
- Direct-injection technology (D-4S), a system that blends direct and port fuel injection, developed through the Toyota–Subaru collaboration and used in certain Subaru engines.
- Shared development of performance-oriented all-wheel-drive platforms and related drivetrains, enabling cross-brand performance benefits while preserving each brand’s engineering identity.
These collaborations show how the partnership accelerates tech advances and cost efficiency without transferring Subaru’s engine production to Toyota.
Implications for consumers
For shoppers and owners, the takeaway is that Subaru engines remain the product of Subaru’s design and manufacturing. Toyota contributes through joint technologies and co-developed powertrain concepts, which can influence features, performance, and maintenance familiarity across both brands. Knowledge of common components can aid parts lookup, but the engines themselves are Subaru-originated.
Summary
Subaru engines are not made by Toyota; they are engineered and built by Subaru. Toyota’s involvement stems from a strategic partnership that includes shared technology and joint development—such as powertrain features for the Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ sports duo and the D-4S injection approach—along with broader platform collaborations. The result is a productive alliance that enhances certain technologies while Subaru continues to own and produce its own engines.
What Toyota has a Subaru engine?
The 86's engine, known by the Toyota code 4U-GSE and Subaru code FA20, is a naturally aspirated engine that uses Subaru's flat-four engine design, with the addition of Toyota's D-4S injection system, which uses Gasoline direct injection (GDI).
Is Subaru owned by Toyota now?
No, Toyota does not own Subaru, but it owns just over 20% of the company, making Subaru an affiliated company. This strategic partnership allows them to share technology and collaborate on vehicle development, such as the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ sports car. Subaru still operates independently with its own branding and operations.
- Ownership structure: Toyota is Subaru's largest shareholder with a stake of slightly over 20%, but Subaru remains an independent company.
- Strategic partnership: The two companies have a close partnership and collaborate on various projects.
- Shared projects: Notable examples of their collaboration include the co-development of the Subaru Solterra/Toyota bZ4X electric crossover and the Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 sports car.
- Technology sharing: They share technology, particularly in areas like hybrid systems and electric vehicle development, and plan to collaborate on future EV platforms.
- Independent operation: Despite the significant ownership stake and collaboration, Subaru maintains its own management structure and brand identity.
Who manufactures Subaru engines?
Subaru engines are primarily made by Subaru Corporation at its Oizumi plant in Japan. The engines and transmissions are manufactured there and then shipped to assembly plants, including the Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant, where they are integrated into vehicles.
- Primary manufacturing: The main location for building Subaru's signature boxer engines and transmissions is the Oizumi plant in Gunma, Japan.
- Vehicle assembly: Vehicles are assembled at various plants, including the Lafayette, Indiana facility, which receives the engines from Japan.
- US-based assembly: While the engines are built in Japan, the Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant assembles them into cars built for the US market.
- Toyota collaboration: Subaru also collaborates with Toyota, which owns a 20% stake in the company. This partnership involves sharing technology, and some hybrid systems or specific models may incorporate Toyota's engineering, but Subaru still builds its core engines in Japan.
Does Toyota make Subaru engines?
No, Toyota does not make Subaru engines; Subaru develops and manufactures its boxer engines in-house. However, the two companies have a close partnership, and Toyota has a 20% stake in Subaru. This collaboration includes co-developing the engines for their joint sports cars, the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86, where Subaru designed the base engine but Toyota contributed key components like its direct injection system, notes this YouTube video.
- Subaru's in-house engine production: Subaru builds its boxer engines and transmissions at its factory in Japan.
- Toyota-Subaru collaboration: The companies have worked together on several projects, including the joint development of the BRZ and 86 sports cars.
- Engine contributions: For the BRZ and 86, Subaru developed the core flat-four boxer engine, but Toyota added its D-4S direct injection system, which helped boost performance.
- Future collaborations: The partnership is expanding to include the development of hybrid and all-electric vehicle platforms and technologies, such as the Forester E-Boxer hybrid.
