The engine is the heart of your vehicle, so knowing that your vehicle has a good engine is a pretty good hint to its overall longevity and reliability. The Subaru WRX is a performance-focused vehicle created for the World Rally Championship. But what kind of engine does it have?
What are the specs of a Subaru WRX engine?
The Subaru WRX has three different engines, all of which are turbocharged flat-four engines, often called boxer engines, available in 2.0- and 2.5-liter displacement. Horsepower ranges from a low of 265 to an upcoming 400+ in the upcoming WRX STI engine.
The Subaru WRX engine has always been a high-performance beast, creating tons of torque and power and making it a lot of fun to drive. Because it’s so popular, we’ve compiled information on these engines to make it easier for you to decide whether the WRX is a good vehicle.
History of the Subaru WRX engine
Growing out of the Subaru Impreza, which was created for the 1992 World Rally Championship, the Subaru WRX was focused on solid performance, with the name standing for World Rally eXperimental. Impreza-based trims existed from 1992 to 2014, including a wagon-based model.
The 2014 model year saw the WRX launched as a separate model in its own right. It’s included 14 special editions, with a range of performance enhancements on each. Available with a 2.0- and 2.5-liter engine, it has always been turbocharged to increase power in the engine.
The engines are all flat-four boxer engines, so named because the pistons are set at 180 degrees apart, forcing the pistons to move directly against each other to turn the engine, much like boxers exchanging punches in a boxing ring. This lowers vibration and center of gravity for better handling.
The turbocharger packs more air into the engine for every piston firing, allowing more fuel to be used and more power to be extracted from the engine. This most commonly increases horsepower while reducing the engine size, leading to a lighter load and better fuel economy.
The WRX engines are turbocharged versions of the Impreza’s existing engine lineup, though the upcoming model may include a 2.4-liter turbocharged version that is unique to the WRX model.
Which Models Have a Subaru WRX Engine?
Because the Subaru WRX is a specific model, the engines appear specifically in that model. However, prior to the WRX becoming its own model, the engines were also in Imprezas with the WRX trim for years after the World Rally Championship in which it first appeared.
Other models that have used the engine in the past and present include the Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Levorg, Subaru Outback, Subaru Baja Turbo and the Saab 9. The FA20F engine, one of the later 2.0-liter engines used, received the 2015 and 2016 Wards Auto 10 Best Engines award.
People Also Ask
Is a Subaru WRX engine an interference engine?
An interference engine allows the pistons and valves to operate within the same space, improving fuel efficiency and power. However, if the timing is off or the timing belt breaks, the engine can be severely damaged. Subaru WRX engines are all interference engines.
How does a Subaru WRX engine work?
The Subaru WRX engine has a turbocharger to push more air into the cylinder, increasing the power from every stroke. The boxer engine pushes the pistons back and forth on a horizontal plane, reducing vibration and increasing performance and handling.
How long do WRX engines last?
Though reliability ratings are low, the Subaru WRX engines seem to be the least of owners’ concerns in online reviews. Several reviewers mention good reliability and dependability, suggesting the engines tend to have a long life span overall.
How should I break in a Subaru WRX engine?
To properly seat the rod bearings and piston rings in your engine and to prevent future oil leaks, your Subaru WRX engine should be driven 1,000 miles of variable rpm driving, but not exceeding 4,000 rpm.
Are WRX engines reliable?
Though the WRX delivers a lot of raw power, it doesn’t get very good reliability ratings, receiving only two out of five stars from Consumer Reports.
