What engine is in the Subaru XT?
The Subaru XT is powered by a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine from Subaru’s EA family. In most markets, the non-turbo variant uses a 1.8-liter engine, while the XT Turbo uses a turbocharged version of the same 1.8-liter block. This boxer configuration gives the XT its distinctive balance and handling character.
Engine Design and Family
Subaru’s flat-four, or boxer, layout keeps weight low and the engine compact, contributing to predictable handling in the XT’s two-seat coupe body. The XT’s power plant center is the EA engine family, with the 1.8-liter EA82 appearing as the mainstay for most versions, and a turbocharged variant used for the higher-performance XT Turbo.
Non-Turbo 1.8-Liter EA82
The base XT relied on an 1.8-liter EA82 engine—a horizontally opposed four that provided smooth, accessible performance suitable for daily driving. Power output varied over the model’s run, reflecting differences in year, market, and emissions equipment.
Before listing the key characteristics, here is a quick overview of the non-turbo engine as used in the XT:
- Displacement: 1.8 liters
- Configuration: flat-four (boxer)
- Engine family: EA82
- Fuel system: carbureted in early versions, with later models adopting fuel injection
- Power output: approximately 90–110 horsepower, depending on year and market
The non-turbo variant emphasized smooth torque and reliability, aligning with the XT’s role as a stylish, everyday sports coupe rather than a high-performance machine.
XT Turbo 1.8-Liter Engine
The XT Turbo used a turbocharged version of the same 1.8-liter EA82 block, enhanced with a turbocharger and typically an intercooler in many markets. This setup delivered noticeably more performance than the base model, making the XT Turbo the more spirited choice of the two.
Key traits of the turbo engine include:
- Displacement: 1.8 liters
- Configuration: flat-four (boxer)
- Engine family: EA82 (turbo variant)
- Forced induction: turbocharged, with intercooler in many markets
- Power output: higher than the non-turbo variant, with figures varying by year and market
In practice, the XT Turbo represented Subaru’s effort to pair everyday usability with extra performance, a hallmark of many mid-1980s sport coupes.
Market Context and Production Timeline
The XT family emerged in the mid-1980s and was produced through the late 1980s into the early 1990s, with regional variations in availability and specifications. As emissions controls evolved, the engine lineup shifted from carbureted to fuel-injected EFI systems, while the underlying 1.8-liter EA82 boxer remained the core architecture for most cars labeled XT.
Summary
The Subaru XT’s engine is a 1.8-liter flat-four from the EA82 family. The base model uses the naturally aspirated version, while the XT Turbo adds a turbocharger (and intercooler in many markets) for greater performance. Across years and regions, changes in fuel delivery and tuning shaped output, but the fundamental design—a low, boxer-powered drivetrain—defined the XT from its introduction.
