What Toyota uses a boxer engine?
The Toyota model most closely associated with a boxer engine is the GR86, along with its predecessor the Toyota 86 and the Scion FR-S. These cars use a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that was developed in collaboration with Subaru.
These vehicles illustrate Toyota’s use of a boxer engine through a joint engineering program with Subaru. The arrangement lowers the center of gravity and helps balance handling, a hallmark of the 86/BRZ/GR86 family that continues into today’s GR86 lineup.
A joint engineering feat: Toyota and Subaru
A boxer engine, also known as a flat engine, uses cylinders that lie opposite one another and move in and out in a horizontal orientation. This layout produces a compact width and a lower center of gravity, which benefits sportier handling. Toyota and Subaru have long shared development on the 86/BRZ/GR86 platform, with Subaru originally supplying the flat-four engine design and Toyota adapting it for its sports coupe lineup.
Boxer-engine basics
In a boxer engine, pistons oppose each other across a flat plane, canceling some vibration and allowing a lower hood line and center of gravity. The result is a more predictable, responsive chassis—a feature prized in sport coupes such as Toyota's 86 family and its GR86 successor.
Which Toyota models use a boxer engine
The list below covers Toyota models that have used a boxer engine, including current-production and historic variants linked to the 86 family.
- Toyota GR86 — current model (2022–present) using a 2.4-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder (FA24), developed with Subaru; available with a manual or automatic transmission.
- Toyota 86 — the first-generation model (marketed as GT86 in some regions; roughly 2012–2021) using a 2.0-liter flat-four (FA20); served as the baseline for the modern GR86.
- Scion FR-S — US-market sibling of the 86 family (2013–2016) using the same FA20 engine; after Scion was dissolved, the model continued under the Toyota 86/GR86 umbrella in many markets.
These entries underscore Toyota’s boxer-engine strategy within its sport-coupe lineup. The GR86 represents the latest evolution, switching to a larger 2.4-liter boxer to deliver more torque while preserving the low center of gravity that defines the family.
Engine lineage and current status
Across generations, the engine architecture has evolved from the original 2.0-liter FA20 in the early 86/FR-S models to the modern 2.4-liter FA24 in the GR86. Both engines are horizontally opposed and were developed in collaboration with Subaru, reinforcing the shared platform that underpins Toyota’s current sport coupe offerings. The BRZ, produced by Subaru, shares the same engine family and serves as a sibling within the broader boxer-engine program, even though it carries a different badge.
Summary
In short, Toyota’s boxer-engine lineup centers on the GR86 today, with its predecessors—the Toyota 86 and the Scion FR-S—marking the brand’s historical use of a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine produced in collaboration with Subaru. The transition from a 2.0-liter FA20 to a 2.4-liter FA24 marks a development that maintains the characteristic low center of gravity while increasing performance and refinement for Toyota’s modern sports car.
What Toyota car has a Subaru engine?
That effort gave us the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. Later evolutions of the design would result in the Toyota 86 and, now, the Toyota GR86. With input from both companies, Toyota and Subaru jointly developed the chassis. Toyota contributed design input, and Subaru provided its signature boxer engine.
Are Toyota boxer engines reliable?
Due to the low, wide mount, the boxer engine can prove difficult to service. Even changing spark plugs can be a substantial job. However, boxer engines are known for their reliability, and should require less service than most other engine types.
Which Toyota has a boxer engine?
GR86
The GR86 is powered by a 2.4L 4-cylinder boxer engine capable of producing up to 228 horsepower, a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission with paddle shifters, and design and performance inspired by Toyota's racing division, Gazoo Racing.
Which brands use boxer engines?
Subaru
For over 45 years Subaru has been solely committed to the Subaru Boxer Engine in ALL of their models. The innovative design is part of Subaru's core DNA. Why don't other manufacturers use it? Porsche does in a few of their models including the Boxster, Cayman and 911 models.
