Which Subarus Have Turbo?

Driving a Subaru is an elevated and adventurous experience. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru as one of the most reliable brands, and with standard all-wheel drive in nearly every model, Subarus have added traction for changing driving conditions and light backcountry travel. Having a Subaru with a turbocharged engine makes the ride even more exciting while maintaining fuel efficiency. This guide our team at Sport Subaru South of Orlando, Florida, created will help you learn more about what a turbocharged engine is, the benefits of a turbo, and which Subaru models have this powerful engine.

About Subaru

The name Subaru is the Japanese word for the Pleiades star cluster, which the Subaru emblem and badging are based on. Subaru has its roots in Japan, with the first Subaru 360 offered in 1958. Since then, Subaru’s engineers have continued to make innovative technologies that help this auto brand stand out. Nearly all Subaru vehicles come with a SUBARU BOXER engine and the signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, giving the cars, wagons, and SUVs their legendary power and traction. Today, Subarus are made in Japan and the United States.

What Is a Subaru Turbocharged Engine?

A turbocharged, or turbo, engine is an internal combustion engine with a turbocharger attached to it. The turbocharger has a turbine and compressor mounted on the engine’s exhaust system. The system takes the exhaust gas, compresses it, and sends it back to the engine for increased fuel flow. The more fuel that ignites, the more power the engine has.

The Benefits of a Turbocharged Engine

Because of the increased power, manufacturers can put a smaller turbocharged engine into a vehicle without compromising performance. With the extra power, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine can have as much power as a naturally aspirated V-8 engine. You can get the same amount of power without burning as much fuel, saving money at the gas pump and reducing carbon emissions.

A turbo engine will have fast acceleration and produce more torque at a lower rpm, which enhances initial acceleration. In addition, the turbo reduces engine noise, making a turbocharged vehicle quieter to drive. While turbocharged engines may be a bit more expensive to make, a turbocharged Subaru has quick acceleration, burns cleaner, is more fuel efficient, and has a quieter driving experience.

Subaru Turbo Cars

Subaru produces one high-performance car with a turbo, the WRX. The company also makes a car with a turbo engine, the Legacy.

WRX

The WRX is a fun-to-drive four-door sports-inspired car. Subaru offers the WRX in four trims, and they all come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder direct-injection SUBARU BOXER turbocharged engine with an output of 271 horsepower. You’ll appreciate Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and the track-tuned suspension system. For more precision handling, choose the WRX tS with its electronically adjustable dampers and Brembo brakes with six-piston front and dual-piston rear fixed calipers.

Legacy Sport and Touring XT

The Legacy sedan comes in five trims, and the top two trims, the Sport and Touring XT, have the turbo engine. Under the hood of these two trims is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder SUBARU BOXER turbocharged engine with an output of 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque from 2,000 to 4,800 rpm. Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive comes standard.

The Subaru Turbo SUV Lineup

Subaru makes several SUVs, from the small Crosstrek to the Solterra electric vehicle. Four trims of the Subaru Outback and all trims of the Subaru Ascent have a turbocharged engine.

Outback

The Subaru Outback comes in eight trims, with the Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, and Touring XT having the 2.4-liter turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine. You get 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque from 2,000 to 4,800 rpm. The Outback comes standard with traction-grabbing all-wheel drive, active torque vectoring, and vehicle dynamics control for extra stability.

Outback Wilderness

The Wilderness line of Subaru SUVs is engineered and designed for rugged off-road trails. Along with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the Wilderness models also have more ground clearance, revised gear ratios, and enhanced dual-function drive modes that include dirt/snow and deep snow/mud. Of the three Wilderness SUV models, the Outback Wilderness has a turbocharged engine, producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque from 2,000 to 4,800 rpm.

Ascent

The Ascent is the largest Subaru SUV with seating for seven to eight people, ideal for families and road trips. This SUV comes in eight trims, all with the 277-horsepower, 2.4-liter turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. In addition, the Ascent has hill descent, vehicle dynamics, and traction control for extra stability. You can even tow a boat or trailer with this mighty Subaru SUV. It comes with trailer stability assist and active torque vectoring, allowing the Ascent to tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Only Select Subaru Models Have a Turbocharged Engine

As you can see from this list, only five models at this time have this exciting engine. However, the other models and trims not on this list still carry a 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a 2.5-liter four-cylinder SUBARU BOXER engine with outputs ranging from 152 horsepower to 182 horsepower. The high-performance BRZ sports car has a 2.4-liter engine that delivers 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque

While all Subarus are outstanding and reliable vehicles, the ones that have the SUBARU BOXER turbocharged engine enhance your driving experience while releasing fewer carbon emissions. Consider your lifestyle and driving habits before choosing a turbocharged Subaru. While they offer many benefits, they tend to have a higher price point, and because of more moving parts, the maintenance costs are a bit more. Overall, turbocharged engines provide many benefits that outweigh the smaller costs of a non-turbo engine.

Find the Perfect Turbocharged Subaru for You at Sport Subaru South

If you need help deciding which turbocharged Subaru to get, contact our team at Sport Subaru South in Orlando, Florida. We offer flexible financing options, and we have a full-service automotive center  to keep your Subaru performing optimally.