Last Updated on January 3, 2023 by Lily Connel
Boxer engines have some great pros. They have a low centre of gravity, excellent balance, and a small footprint. The cons are the size of the engine and the difficulty of maintenance.
Pros and Cons of The Boxer Engine – The Comparison Table
| Serial | Boxer Engine Pros | Boxer Engine Cons |
| 1. | The Boxer engine is more balanced than inline engines- this means that boxer engines vibrate less, which results in a smoother ride. | Boxer engine cylinders fire in an alternating pattern- this can cause vibration that can be felt inside the vehicle. |
| 2. | Boxer engines have a lower centre of gravity than inline engines, making them inherently more stable and less likely to tip over. | Boxer engines tend to be noisier than inline engines because boxer engine cylinders fire in an alternating pattern. |
| 3. | Boxer engines are shorter and narrower than inline engines, making them ideal for use in smaller vehicles. | Boxer engine oil leaks are more common than inline engines- this is because there are more seals and gaskets in a boxer engine. |
| 4. | Boxer engine pistons move in opposite directions- this cancels out the vibration that occurs when one piston moves up while the other moves down. | Boxer engines require more frequent tune-ups than inline engines because the pistons in a boxer engine move up and down at different speeds. |
| 5. | Boxer engine cylinders are located closer together than inline engine cylinders, giving the engine a more compact design. | Boxer engine rebuilds are more expensive than inline engines because boxer engines have more complex designs. |
| 6. | Boxer engines run cooler than inline engines because boxer engines have more surface area exposed to cooling airflow. | Boxer engine parts are not as readily available as inline engine parts, making it difficult to find replacement parts for your boxer engine. |
| 7. | Boxer engines are less expensive to maintain than inline engines because boxer engine components are easier to access and replace. | Boxer engine replacements are more expensive than inline engines because boxer engines are not as standard as inline engines. |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Boxer Engine?
A boxer engine is a reciprocating engine with two pistons in each cylinder. The name “boxer engine” comes from the pistons moving up and down like a boxer’s fists.
2. Are Boxer Engines Reliable?
Boxer engines are reliable, even though they can be difficult to service. Even something as simple as changing spark plugs can take time and effort. However, in the long run, you should need to do less maintenance on a boxer engine than you would with most other types of machines.
3. Do Boxer Engines have Problems?
According to Consumer Reports, the older Subaru models with this engine will usually experience head gasket failure around 90,000 to 150,000 miles. Because of the engine construction, the Boxer engine seems more prone to this condition.
4. How Long Do Boxer Engines Last?
As long as you take care of them, they can last forever–even if you abuse them. Don’t be surprised if it goes past what you expect. Once the head gaskets have been replaced (timing belt, etc.), and that mess has been fixed at 100k+, the thing is easily suitable for another 100-200k miles.
5. What is The Most Reliable Subaru?
Subaru models such as the Outback and Forester are known for their long-term reliability, while the brand boasts above-average value retention rates.
6. Why do Boxer Engines Fail?
The issue is a faulty component in the horizontally opposed engines, commonly known as “boxer” engines, which arrange cylinders on either side of a single crankshaft flatly. Subaru first used the machine in the Subaru 1000 in 1966, which all models presently utilize.
