Which cars have horizontally opposed engines?
2 Answers
Currently, the only cars with horizontally opposed engines available on the market are from Japan's Subaru and Germany's Porsche, though not all models in their lineups feature this engine type. Horizontally opposed engines offer numerous advantages, primarily smooth operation, stability, a low center of gravity, and enhanced handling. Among Porsche's lineup, only the 718 Cayman, Boxster, and 911 are equipped with horizontally opposed engines. The Porsche 718 comes with either a 2.5T or 2.0T four-cylinder horizontally opposed turbocharged engine. The 2.5T engine delivers a maximum power of 269 kW (366 PS) and a peak torque of 430 Nm, while the 2.0T engine produces a maximum power of 184 kW (250 PS) and a peak torque of 310 Nm. Both engines are paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Porsche 911, on the other hand, offers three horizontally opposed turbocharged engine options: 3.0T, 3.8T, and 4.0L, all matched with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
I really enjoy talking about cars with horizontally opposed engines because these vehicles have a low center of gravity and stable handling, making them exceptionally smooth to drive. Subaru uses this engine in almost its entire lineup, such as the Impreza, WRX STI, Forester SUV, Outback wagon, Legacy sedan, and Crosstrek compact SUV—I’ve test-driven some of them, and they perform well both in the city and off-road. Porsche also has quite a few, like the classic 911 sports car, Boxster convertible, Cayman coupe, and even the Panamera sedan once featured a horizontally opposed design. After driving a Subaru Outback, I found its strong grip in rain or snow and minimal vibrations very comfortable. If considering a used car, the 1990s Legacy is highly durable; new car buyers might find the Crosstrek affordable. This engine layout enhances smoothness, but don’t overlook maintenance like oil changes to extend its lifespan.
