RIP: Subaru's Boxer Engine Is Dead In Europe After 2027

Subaru’s boxer engine is reportedly leaving Europe after 2027 as the automaker prepares to sell only EVs on the continent.

2026 Subaru Outback First Drive Review

Photo by: Zander Sutton | Motor1

Anthony Alaniz

By: Anthony Alaniz

Oct 19, at 7:00pm ET

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Subaru's boxer engine is dead in Europe. The automaker will reportedly only sell battery-electric vehicles starting in 2028. According to multiple reports, Subaru will stop selling combustion-powered models entirely on the continent after 2027.

The Subaru Outback will leave the European market at the end of 2027, while the hybrid Impreza, Crosstrek, and Forester will exit after 2027. That will leave Subaru with just three models: The Solterra, Uncharted, and E-Outback, all three co-developed with Toyota.

Motor1 has reached out to Subaru US to confirm the details. We will update this story if we receive any response.

2026 Subaru Solterra Front

Photo by: Subaru

Why Is Subaru Discontinuing The Boxer Engine In Europe?

According to Autonext and Auto Motor Sport, Subaru told the publications it had two reasons for the decision: emissions and safety. Europe’s tightening emissions regulations on fleet averages have already killed the 2.0-liter Mazda Miata.

Recertifying the updated engine is costly, so automakers are killing off models instead to help raise their averages. Europe is also mandating improved safety standards, requiring automakers to update vehicles with older electrical architecture, and for some, it’s not worth the cost.

Subaru’s Boxer Engine History

Subaru introduced its first model with a boxer engine, the Subaru 1000, 60 years ago. It arrived in 1966 with a 55-horsepower, 1.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

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The 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine that powers the Outback on sale today in Europe produces 169 horsepower. The other three models reportedly on the chopping block use a 136 hp, 2.0-liter mild-hybrid boxer engine.

Subaru is the only mainstream brand to use boxer engines across its lineup, and they're a crucial part of the brand's identity, right next to its symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. The loss of the boxer engine is a sad sign of the times, but at least there's still Porsche.

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Sources: Auto Motor Sport, Autonext

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