The range of engines available across the automotive world is incredibly wide. Whether you want four or 12 cylinders, a naturally aspirated engine or one with a turbocharger (or two), there is bound to be an engine for you out there. There is, however, one type of engine that can only be found on a single new model on the US market.
We’re talking about the turbocharged flat-four “boxer” engine, which is only used by a single automaker: Subaru. It is offered in three models from the brand’s lineup, including the WRX. As the boxer engine’s popularity, which was never all that high to begin with, has dwindled over the years, Subaru has become an outlier when it comes to using the turbocharged flat-four. Let’s take a closer look at this model, its engine, and its other interesting features.
The WRX, Ascent, And Outback: Siblings With A Unique Powertrain
2026 Subaru WRX driving front 3/4Subaru
2026 Subaru WRX
Engine
2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four
Horsepower
271 hp
Torque
258 lb-ft
0-60
~5.5 seconds
Top Speed
145 mph
Today, three Subaru models come with a turbocharged flat-four engine: the WRX, the Ascent, and some versions of the Outback. The 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer is the only engine option available for the WRX and the Ascent. The Outback, on the other hand, also offers a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated boxer-four. The turbocharged engine is standard in the Wilderness trim and available in the XT trims (Limited XT and Touring XT).
In the WRX, the engine produces 271 hp and 258 lb-ft, while in the Ascent and Outback it produces 260 hp and 277 lb-ft. Transmission options vary by model as well: both the Outback and the Ascent only come with a CVT, while the WRX offers a six-speed manual transmission as well. The six-speed manual is actually the standard option on most trim levels, a feature that sets the WRX apart from other models on the market. The CVT is only standard on the GT trim, while it is offered as an option on the Premium and the Limited.
2026 Subaru Ascent TouringSubaru
The WRX’s engine is known as the FA24F, and is part of Subaru’s FA family of engines. While the first FA engines were introduced in 2012, the FA24F made its debut on the Ascent for the 2019 model year. A year later, it was introduced to the Outback and the now-defunct Legacy. In 2022, when the WRX entered its second generation, the FA24F was brought in to replace its predecessor, the 2.0-liter FA20F.
In terms of pricing, there are a few different price points available if you want to own a car with this engine under the hood. The 2026 WRX starts at $32,495 and goes up to $45,995. The Ascent ranges from a starting price of $40,795 to $51,995. The cheapest version of the Outback with the 2.4-liter engine (the Limited XT) starts at $44,365, while the most expensive (the Touring XT) starts at $47,995.
The Boxer Engine Across The Decades
2026 Subaru WRX boxer engineSubaru
The term “boxer” is frequently used as a descriptor for all “flat” or horizontally opposed engines; however, it actually refers to a specific type of horizontally opposed engine where pairs of opposed pistons move inward and outward at the same time. The name comes from the motion’s similarity to punches in a boxing match.
The earliest boxer engine, built by Carl Benz, appeared at the start of the 20th century. He referred to it as the “contra engine” because of the motion of the pistons. For the next few decades, the boxer engine’s progress was fairly slow, until the Volkswagen Beetle was created at the end of the 1930s. Its famous air-cooled, flat-four engine remained in production for decades, and was also used by Porsche in several models. The mid-century period saw more boxer engines being produced by a variety of manufacturers, including Citroën, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo.
1974 Volkswagen Super BeetleBring A Trailer
As the new millennium rolled around, however, the boxer engine’s popularity gradually faded out, with most manufacturers replacing these engines with inline-four units. Subaru became an outlier in its decision to keep the boxer engine. This decision came about largely because of the boxer engine being well-suited to AWD vehicles, as its layout made it easier to fit in additional components.
!!!MODEL TAG!!! Listing Carousel 2026 Subaru WRX Sedan
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Today, Subaru is showing no signs of phasing out the boxer engine anytime soon. Of course, all combustion engines are in some degree of danger when it comes to their long-term future, as electrification moves forward. However, last year Subaru announced it was putting full EVs on the back burner in favor of an electrification strategy focused primarily on hybrids. As a result, it’s unlikely we’re going to see the boxer engine disappear completely in the near future.
Your Other Option: The Recently-Discontinued Porsche 718 Boxster And Cayman
2025 Porsche 718 Boxster And CaymanPorsche
If you have decided a Subaru is not for you, but still want a car with a turbocharged flat-four engine, you will have to turn to the used market. Your best bet is a recent example of the Porsche 718 Boxster or Cayman; before their discontinuation last year, these two stylish sports cars were the only other models sold in the US to offer a turbocharged flat-four.
This generation of the Boxster/Cayman (the fourth for the former, and the third for the latter) is actually called the 982; the 718 name is a reference to a successful series of race cars from Porsche’s history, which won the Targa Florio in the ’50s and ’60s. The Boxster roadster arrived first, in January 2016, while the Cayman coupe made its debut shortly after.
2025 Porsche 718 Cayman facing forward and Cayman S facing backwardPorsche
The 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer-four engine powers the two models’ base trim, producing 296 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. A larger (2.5-liter) version of the same engine can be found in the next trim level up, the Boxster/Cayman S, producing 345 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic made up the transmission lineup.
There have also been a few high-performance variants of the model over the years, including the Cayman/Boxster GTS, the Cayman GT4, the Boxster Spyder, the Cayman/Boxster T, the Cayman/Boxster GTS 4.0, and the Cayman GT4 RS (which had a flat-six rather than a flat-four).
Today, the price range for the 2025 models on the used market varies widely, depending on factors such as mileage and overall condition. The Boxster had an original starting price of $74,900; used prices now vary between around $77,000 and $130,000. The Cayman started at $72,800; today, you can get one for as little as $40,000 or as much as $115,000.
The Subaru WRX’s Other Unique Feature
2026 Subaru WRX interior steering wheelSubaru
The WRX is also equipped with one other feature that has become a veritable rarity on the US automotive market: a CD player, which is no longer offered on any other new model sold in the States (even other Subarus). On the WRX it is available as an option, with a price tag of $449.95. The design of the CD player is slightly different from what you might expect. While most cars equipped with CD players in the past had them pop out of the dashboard, in the WRX you will find it next to the cup holders and small item storage, hidden behind the center console armrest door. The CD player is integrated within an otherwise modern and up-to-date tech package, which includes an 11.3-inch touchscreen and mobile phone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Related
The Final Car With A CD Player On Sale In The USA
This once-common car feature is very nearly dead, with the exception of one Subaru.
A few other Subaru models, such as the Outback and the Impreza, also offered CD players up until fairly recently, only discontinuing the feature after the 2025 model year. The other brand that stood out for continuing to offer CD players later than most was Lexus, which still offered the option on the IS and the RC until 2025. Now that all of these models have modernized their options list for good, the WRX is truly the last one of its kind left, on both the engine front and the tech front.
2026 Subaru WRX recaro seatsSubaru
Along with the boxer-four engine, the CD player in the WRX is part of the model’s unique character, which blends old and new features to give customers the best of both worlds. The boxer engine is a beloved part of Subaru’s brand identity, while the CD player offers drivers who are a bit more old-school the opportunity to play discs from their collection while on the move.
Sources: Subaru, Porsche
