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V6 vs Inline 6 vs Boxer Engines: What’s the Real Difference?
Sep 11, 2025
Curious about the differences between V6, Inline 6, and Boxer engines? This video breaks down the key distinctions in design, performance, and applications of these popular engine layouts. Learn how the V6’s compact shape, the Inline 6’s smooth power delivery, and the Boxer’s low center of gravity affect your vehicle’s handling, efficiency, and maintenance. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, DIY mechanic, or just shopping for your next ride, understanding these engine types will help you make an informed choice.
View Video Transcript
0:00
Ever wondered why some engines sound
0:02
smoother, rev differently, or even make
0:04
your car handle a little weird in the
0:06
corners? Yep, I'm talking about the
0:08
engine layout. V6, inline 6, and boxer.
0:11
And no, it's not just car nerd trivia.
0:14
It actually matters when you're buying,
0:16
fixing, or even just understanding your
0:18
ride. Hey, I'm Tom from Car Justify, and
0:21
I've been wrenching on cars for more
0:22
than 15 years now. Today, we're diving
0:25
into something that trips people up all
0:26
the time. the differences between V6,
0:28
inline 6, and boxer engines. Trust me,
0:31
once you get this, a lot of other things
0:33
about your car are going to start making
0:34
sense. So, let's kick off with the
0:37
inline 6. That's the straight six. All
0:39
six cylinders lined up in a row. This
0:41
layout is super smooth. Why? Because
0:43
it's naturally balanced. The pistons
0:45
move in a way that cancels out
0:47
vibrations without needing extra parts.
0:49
I've worked on a bunch of old BMWs that
0:51
ran smoother at 200,000 mi than some
0:53
newer V6s. The downside, they're long,
0:56
like physically longer, so they don't
0:58
fit well in most modern front-wheel
1:00
drive setups. Next up, the V6. You've
1:03
probably got one under the hood if you
1:05
drive a lot of midsize sedans, SUVs, or
1:08
pickups. This one's basically two banks
1:10
of three cylinders shaped like a V,
1:12
hence the name. It's more compact than
1:14
an inline 6, which is why manufacturers
1:16
love it. Easier to package, especially
1:19
in transverse sideways engine bays. The
1:22
trade-off? It's not quite as smooth and
1:24
it usually needs a balance shaft or
1:26
extra engineering to cancel out
1:27
vibrations. That's why sometimes a V6
1:30
can feel a bit buzzy compared to an
1:31
inline. Now, the boxer. This one's kind
1:34
of the oddball. You'll find it in
1:35
Subarus and Porsches mostly. It's also
1:38
called a flat 6 because the cylinders
1:40
lie flat and move side to side like two
1:42
boxers punching each other. That's where
1:44
the name comes from. The big plus here
1:46
is the low center of gravity. The engine
1:49
sits low in the car, which helps with
1:50
handling. That's why Porsche loves it in
1:52
the 911. Keeps the car planted, but
1:55
working on these can be a pain. Ask
1:57
anyone who's tried to change spark plugs
1:59
in a Subaru. It's tight in there. All
2:01
right, now let's break it down real
2:03
world style. If you're all about smooth
2:05
driving and don't mind paying a bit more
2:07
for service, an inline 6 is a great
2:09
setup. This actually happened to a buddy
2:11
of mine. He bought an old Lexus with a
2:13
straight six and couldn't believe how
2:15
quiet it was at idle. Barely had to
2:17
touch the thing besides oil changes. If
2:19
you need something practical,
2:21
affordable, and compact, the V6 is going
2:23
to be your go-to. Lots of parts, easy to
2:26
find, decent power, kind of the jack of
2:28
all trades. Just keep an ear out for
2:30
that timing chain rattle some V6s get
2:32
over time, especially in higher mileage
2:34
engines. That's one I see a lot in the
2:37
shop. And if you're into quirky cars or
2:39
tight handling, the boxer might be your
2:42
style. Just be ready for some unique
2:44
maintenance stuff like oil leaks from
2:46
the valve covers which are on the sides
2:47
of the engine instead of the top. Not
2:49
hard to fix, just different. To recap,
2:52
inline 6 is smooth and solid, but big.
2:55
V6 is compact and versatile, but might
2:57
vibrate more. Boxer is low and sporty,
2:59
but needs some special care. None of
3:01
them are bad. It's all about what fits
3:03
your driving style and what you're
3:05
willing to deal with under the hood.
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Hope this cleared things up a bit. If it
3:09
did, throw a like on this video and
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subscribe if you want more. for
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nononsense car advice. I'll see you in
3:14
the next one. And hey, if your engine's
3:16
making weird noises, don't panic.