What engine has better performance? Inline or Boxer?

Question

I'm choosing between the Mazda3 and Subaru Legacy 2.5i. Mazda has inline 4 while Subaru has boxer 4. Which has better performance?

Answer 1

The boxer formatted engine (the Subaru) has the potential to make more power because it has an inherently balanced engine due to the flat four layout. This means that it can rev higher safely. It does have the added benefit of giving a lower center of balance to the whole car because it has it's mass is lower, level to the crankshaft.

Fortunately for you the engine is pretty peppy as it is so you should be happy with the stock performance. There are performance enhancements available, like a computer chip, if you need more speed. Until then the benefit then is longevity due to the engine being relatively unstressed.

Answer 2

Boxer 4 due to the issues that it is a horizontal engine instead of vertical. Engines make better power for example: Porche Boxter engines are the exact same as the Subaru Legacy 2.5i.

Answer 3

Boxer has a lot better performance than an inline. The Subaru Legacy is my favorite car too!

Answer 4

horizontally opposed 4 cyl arrangement of the Subaru one piston and rod weight is balanced by the weight of the other sides. While more complex two cyl heads than only one Cly head on the in line four Cly. That is why the WRX STI can make so much power. Drive both and see which one you like the best. The front end of the Subie is going to be better looking next year. Regular Legacy versa other cars on the market look at lots of brands before you buy

Answer 5

There are many things to take into consideration between these 2 cars, but if the question assumes that all things are equal, then which engine formation results in better performance, then I would give the edge to the flat boxer arrangement

Answer 6

That depends on the application, the boxer engines give the cars a lower center of gravity...but they don't have the torque the I-4's have.

it is a tradeoff.