Which company engine does Toyota use?
The core answer: Toyota mainly relies on engines developed and built in-house, but it also partners with other manufacturers for specific models. Notably, Toyota collaborates with Subaru on the brand’s sports coupe twins and with BMW on the Toyota GR Supra.
In more detail, Toyota’s engine strategy centers on strong in-house engineering and manufacturing, complemented by selective collaborations that expand capabilities for certain performance-oriented or joint-venture models. This approach has shaped Toyota’s lineup for decades and continues to influence engineering decisions today.
In-house engine development
Below is a snapshot of Toyota's primary engine sources and how they are most often deployed across the lineup.
- In-house engine design and production by Toyota’s powertrain division, spanning conventional gasoline engines, inline-fours and V6s, as well as hybrid powertrains.
- Focused development programs such as the Dynamic Force engine family, which underpins many recent Toyota and Lexus models with modern efficiency and performance characteristics.
- Hybrid systems that pair gasoline engines with electric motors, a cornerstone of Toyota’s strategy across its mainstream and hybrid-only models.
These elements illustrate Toyota’s emphasis on in-house engineering and manufacturing, with collaborations reserved for specific performance-oriented collaborations or strategic partnerships.
Notable engine collaborations
Two high-profile partnerships have shaped Toyota’s performance-focused powertrains in recent years. The following subsections summarize the engines involved and the model applications.
Subaru collaboration: FA20 2.0L flat-four
In a long-standing joint effort with Subaru, Toyota uses Subaru-developed engines for the Toyota 86 (known as the GT86 in some markets) and its twin, the Subaru BRZ. This collaboration centers on a 2.0-liter horizontally opposed (flat-four) engine that was designed by Subaru and shared with Toyota for the sports coupe duo.
- Models involved: Toyota 86 / GT86 and Subaru BRZ (through multiple generations).
- Engine: FA20 family, typically a 2.0L flat-four with direct injection in later variants.
- Character: Naturally aspirated or lightly tuned variants in earlier generations, with tuning aligned to each brand’s performance goals.
In summary, the FA20 collaboration yields Toyota’s entry-level sport performance pairing with Subaru, illustrating a clear case where Toyota leverages an external engine design for a dedicated model line.
BMW collaboration: B58/B48 engines for the GR Supra
For the Toyota GR Supra, Toyota joined forces with BMW to co-develop and source engines. The Supra has benefited from BMW’s turbocharged powerplants, with Toyota providing tuning and calibration to meet its performance and reliability standards.
- Models involved: Toyota GR Supra (A90/A91 generations and updates).
- Engines: BMW-sourced B58 3.0L turbo inline-six and B48 2.0L turbo inline-four, used in different Supra variants.
- Character: High-performance engines developed by BMW, with Toyota-tuned electronics and driveline integration.
These partnerships show Toyota’s willingness to collaborate on high-performance platforms to accelerate technology transfer and competitiveness in the sports-car segment.
What this means for consumers
For buyers, engine sourcing can influence maintenance choices, parts availability, and service downtime. In-house Toyota engines generally align with the company’s global service network and long-standing reliability reputation. When a model uses an external engine (as with the Supra or the Toyota 86/BRZ), owners may rely on the shared supply chains and service expertise from both brands involved in the collaboration, which can affect parts availability and warranty coverage in some markets.
Summary
Toyota’s engine strategy blends in-house engineering with targeted collaborations. The vast majority of Toyota engines are developed and manufactured by Toyota itself, reinforcing its core reliability and efficiency standards. At the same time, the company has strategically partnered with Subaru (FA20 for the 86/BRZ) and BMW (B58/B48 for the GR Supra) to extend performance capabilities and access specialized technologies. This approach allows Toyota to maintain its engineering leadership while leveraging partner strengths for select, high-profile applications.
Does Toyota make engines for other brands?
Toyota can tell you that yes, it is. Car manufacturers all over the world have been building cars with Toyota engines since the 80s. It's no surprise, given how durable and reliable they are. Here are seven examples of non-Toyota vehicles with Toyota engines.
Who manufactures engines for Toyota?
Toyota Industries
Toyota Industries manufactures engines for Toyota vehicles sold all around the world. We develop and manufacture clean diesel engines that strike a balance between power performance and environmental performance, and turbochargers that play a significant role in the enhancement of engine performance.
Do Toyotas use BMW engines?
Yes, the current generation Toyota Supra uses a BMW engine and transmission, specifically the B58 inline-six engine, as part of a joint development with BMW for their respective sports cars, the Supra and the Z4. In the past, there was also a collaboration where Toyota sourced BMW's 1.6L and 2.0L diesel engines for some of its vehicles.
- Toyota Supra: The Supra shares a platform and many parts with the BMW Z4, including the B58 3.0L turbocharged inline-six engine. Toyota and BMW co-developed the platform, and Toyota chose to use BMW's engine as it was a powerful and well-regarded inline-six that fit the needs of the Supra.
- Historical diesel engines: In 2011, Toyota and BMW entered into a collaboration on environmentally friendly technologies, which included supplying BMW's diesel engines to Toyota for use in their European vehicles. These engines were modified for Toyota's applications and branded under the Toyota WW engine family.
- Engine modifications: While the core engine comes from BMW, Toyota did make some adjustments and provided technical expertise to ensure reliability and performance were up to its standards.
What engines does Toyota use?
Toyota uses a wide range of engines, including various 4-cylinder (such as the A25A and M20A) and V6 (like the 1GR) gasoline engines, as well as several diesel options (such as the 1GD-FTV and 2GD-FTV) and hybrid systems (like the eCVT). The specific engine varies depending on the vehicle model, its intended market, and its size and purpose.
Gasoline engines
- 4-Cylinder: Common in smaller cars and crossovers for fuel efficiency, with options like the 2.5L A25A and 2.0L M20A found in models like the Camry, RAV4, and Corolla.
- V6: Offers more power and torque, found in larger vehicles like the 4Runner and some Camry and Avalon models.
- Other: Some performance-oriented models feature different engine configurations, and historic examples include the 1JZ-GE, a 2.5L inline-six engine.
Diesel engines
- Inline 4-cylinder: Engines like the 1GD-FTV (2.8L) and 2GD-FTV (2.4L) are used in models like the Hilux and Land Cruiser.
- Inline 6-cylinder: A 4.2L, naturally aspirated diesel engine (1HZ) is available in some heavy-duty vehicles.
Hybrid systems
- eCVT: Toyota uses electronic continuously variable transmissions (eCVTs) in many of its hybrid vehicles to manage the power from the gasoline engine and electric motor, which offers a more fuel-efficient driving experience.
Engine examples by model
- Toyota Camry: Features a 4-cylinder gasoline engine, and some models can be equipped with a V6 or a hybrid system with an eCVT.
- Toyota RAV4: Available with a 4-cylinder gasoline engine (A25A) or a hybrid system.
- Toyota 4Runner: Uses a 4.0L V6 engine.
- Toyota Corolla: Comes with a 4-cylinder engine, and certain versions feature a hybrid system or a different 4-cylinder engine (M20A).
