Subaru XT 0–60 Times
The Subaru XT 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 3 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver and Motor Week and more.
The fastest tested Subaru XT is the 1988 Subaru XT XT6 Coupe, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 9.00 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 16.70 seconds at 80.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
The slowest tested Subaru XT is the 1985 Subaru XT 4WD Turbo Coupe, which took 10.30 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 17.40 seconds at 79.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
Out of all the Subaru XT tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 9.70 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 17.03 seconds at 77.67 mph.
Fastest 0–60
9.00sec
1988 XT6 Coupe · stock
Average 0–60
9.70sec
Across 3 runs
Avg ¼ Mile
17.03sec
@ 77.7 mph trap
Slowest 0–60
10.30sec
1985 4WD Turbo
Across 3 verified runs, the Subaru XT ranges from 9.00 to 10.30 seconds 0–60, with a 9.70-second average.
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Subaru XT Performance Overview
Subaru’s wedge-shaped XT, produced from 1985 to 1988, sits in the brand’s 1980s sporty-coupe range with a compact set of 3 verified tests spanning 1985 to 1988. Within the AX/XT generation, performance developed through two clear steps: from the turbocharged EA82T 4WD Turbo Coupe, rated within a 111–145 hp range for the line, to the later ER27-powered XT6. The early benchmark came with the 1985 4WD Turbo Coupe at 10.3 seconds to 60 mph, establishing the first recorded pace for the model.
By 1988, the XT6 Coupe moved the car’s performance ceiling higher, cutting the run to 9.0 seconds to 60 mph and covering the quarter-mile in 16.7 seconds at 80 mph. Across the available tests, the model averages 9.7 seconds to 60 mph and 17.03 seconds in the quarter-mile at 77.7 mph, with only gasoline powertrains represented and both naturally aspirated and turbocharged engine configurations appearing during the run. As documented today, the XT’s best-known production result remains the 1988 XT6 Coupe’s 9.0-second 0-60 time, which defines the model’s standing in the data.
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Subaru XT 0–60 Times by Generation
1 generation| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AX/XT | 1985–1991 | 9.70s | 9.00s — 1988 XT6 Coupe | 3 | The AX/XT generation (1985–1991) averaged 9.70 seconds to 60 mph across 3 tests, led by the 1988 XT6 Coupe at 9.00 seconds. Output ranged from 111 to 145 hp across 1.8L Turbo F-4, 2.7L F-6 configurations. |
AX/XT
1985–1991
Avg 0–60
9.70s
Fastest
9.00s
Tests
3
1988 XT6 Coupe
The AX/XT generation (1985–1991) averaged 9.70 seconds to 60 mph across 3 tests, led by the 1988 XT6 Coupe at 9.00 seconds. Output ranged from 111 to 145 hp across 1.8L Turbo F-4, 2.7L F-6 configurations.
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Subaru XT 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
3 tests · 2 years
▾
1988 Subaru XT
2 verified runs
Avg 0–60
9.40
sec
Avg ¼ Mile
16.85
sec
Recorded Tests
2
#01
1988 Subaru XT XT6 Coupe
9.00sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
16.70s
¼ mi @ 80.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 9.00 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 16.70 sec
- Trap Speed
- 80.0 mph
- Engine
- 2.7L F-6
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Transmission
- 5M
- Horsepower
- 145 hp
- Torque
- 156 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 2,960 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 20.4 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 16 C / 23 H / 19 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #1 of 3
#02
1988 Subaru XT XT6 Coupe
9.80sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
17.00s
¼ mi @ 74.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 9.80 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 17.00 sec
- Trap Speed
- 74.0 mph
- Engine
- 2.7L F-6
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Transmission
- 4A
- Horsepower
- 145 hp
- Torque
- 156 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 2,960 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 20.4 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 17 C / 23 H / 22 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Week
- Overall Rank
- #2 of 3
How we verify Subaru XT performance data
We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Subaru XT trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Subaru XT 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a recorded test run
0–60 →
¼ mile →
Fastest
Recorded run
Slowest
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Subaru XT performance FAQs
10 questions
The 1988 Subaru XT6 Coupe is quickest on record from 0-60 mph in 9.0 seconds. A second verified run recorded 9.8 seconds, putting the XT6 Coupe average at 9.4 seconds across two tests. Its 145-hp 2.7-liter ER27 flat-six, AWD layout, and 2,960-pound curb weight define the best-documented 1988 XT performance.
The fastest Subaru XT on record is the 1988 XT6 Coupe, with a 0-60 mph time of 9.0 seconds. It also owns the quickest quarter-mile result for the model at 16.7 seconds at 80 mph. Across all three verified XT tests, no other trim has matched that acceleration figure.
The fastest stock Subaru XT is also the 1988 XT6 Coupe. Its best verified 0-60 mph run is 9.0 seconds, and its quickest quarter-mile pass is 16.7 seconds at 80 mph. All recorded XT tests here are production vehicles, so the fastest overall XT and fastest stock XT are the same car.
Across all three verified Subaru XT tests, the model averages 9.7 seconds from 0-60 mph and 17.03 seconds in the quarter-mile at 77.7 mph. The quickest XT reached 60 mph in 9.0 seconds, while the slowest recorded run took 10.3 seconds, showing a fairly tight performance range across tested trims.
The AX/XT-generation Subaru XT, sold from 1985 to 1991, averages 9.7 seconds from 0-60 mph across three verified tests. The quickest AX/XT is the 1988 XT6 Coupe at 9.0 seconds. Output ranges from 111 to 145 horsepower, with both naturally aspirated and turbocharged gasoline versions represented in testing.
The fastest AX/XT-generation Subaru XT is the 1988 XT6 Coupe. Its best recorded 0-60 mph time is 9.0 seconds, making it the quickest example from the 1985-1991 run. It also leads the generation in quarter-mile performance with a 16.7-second pass at 80 mph.
For the full 1985-1991 production run, the Subaru XT posts a 9.7-second average 0-60 mph time across three verified tests. The best result is 9.0 seconds from the 1988 XT6 Coupe, and the slowest is 10.3 seconds from the 1985 4WD Turbo Coupe. Quarter-mile performance averages 17.03 seconds at 77.7 mph.
The XT6 Coupe is quicker. Across two verified runs, the XT6 Coupe averages 9.4 seconds from 0-60 mph and has a best time of 9.0 seconds. The 4WD Turbo Coupe has one recorded 0-60 mph result of 10.3 seconds, making it 1.3 seconds slower than the quickest XT6 Coupe run.
The Subaru XT6 Coupe is the quickest-tested XT trim. Its two verified 0-60 mph runs are 9.0 and 9.8 seconds, for a 9.4-second average. Quarter-mile times are 16.7 seconds at 80 mph and 17.0 seconds at 74 mph. Both tested XT6 Coupes use a 145-hp, 156-lb-ft ER27 flat-six and AWD.
The Subaru XT averages 17.03 seconds in the quarter-mile at 77.7 mph across three verified tests. The quickest run belongs to the 1988 XT6 Coupe at 16.7 seconds and 80 mph. Another XT6 Coupe ran 17.0 seconds at 74 mph, showing the XT’s best quarter-mile results come from the six-cylinder model.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Week
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Subaru XT can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Subaru 0–60 times
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