Brand Comparison
Evinrude vs Johnson Outboards
A straight, factual side-by-side — both are excellent builders that simply shine in different places. Here is how they line up and who each one suits.
| Evinrude Outboard Motors | Johnson Outboards | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1907 | 1922 |
| Headquarters | Sturtevant, Wisconsin (former) | Waukegan, Illinois (former, via OMC) |
| Ownership | BRP Inc. — brand discontinued May 2020 | BRP Inc. — brand discontinued after 2007 |
| Stock / Ticker | TSX/Nasdaq: DOO — parent BRP Inc. (Evinrude discontinued 2020) | TSX/Nasdaq: DOO — parent BRP Inc. (Johnson discontinued after 2007) |
| Annual Revenue | ≈ $9.0 billion (TTM, BRP Inc. — whole company) | ≈ $9.0 billion (TTM, BRP Inc. — whole company) |
| Employees | ≈ 17,000 worldwide (BRP Inc., entire company) | ≈ 17,000 worldwide (BRP Inc., entire company) |
| Manufacturing | Former Evinrude outboard production has ended | Johnson-brand outboard production has ended |
| HP Range | (historic) up to 300 hp — brand discontinued | (historic) portable through high-hp — brand discontinued |
| Fuel / Power | Direct-injection 2-stroke (E-TEC), historic | 2-stroke (historic) and later 4-stroke |
| Product Lines | 3 families | 3 families |
| Signature Tech |
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| Famous For | Inventing the practical outboard motor — and, in its final chapter, the E-TEC direct-injection two-stroke that ran for years with no scheduled dealer maintenance. Discontinued by BRP in 2020. | Being one of the two names (with Evinrude) that defined American outboarding for most of the 20th century — lightweight aluminum motors and early racing. Discontinued by BRP after 2007. |
| Best For | Owners of existing E-TEC/G2 motors and buyers researching used Evinrude outboards and brand history. | Owners of existing Johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. |
Revenue and workforce figures are point-in-time snapshots from company filings for the year shown (in several cases the parent company, not just the marine division). Stock price, market value, and ROI change daily — use the ticker for live pricing.
Where Each Brand Dominates
Evinrude on the water
Historic / Collector Interest
One of the most collectible and historically important outboard names in the world.
Used-Motor Market
A large installed base of E-TEC and G2 motors keeps Evinrude relevant in the used market.
Low-Maintenance 2-Stroke Fans
E-TEC owners value the torque and minimal scheduled maintenance of the direct-injection design.
Johnson on the water
Historic / Collector Interest
A founding American outboard brand with strong collector and restoration interest.
Used-Motor Market
A very large installed base keeps Johnson common and serviceable in the used market.
Vintage Racing Heritage
Known for 1920s outboard racing success in its early years.
Which one fits you?
Choose Evinrude if…
- ✓Historic significance — the first commercially successful outboard
- ✓E-TEC direct-injection 2-strokes prized for torque and low scheduled maintenance
- ✓BRP still supports parts and warranty for existing owners
Choose Johnson if…
- ✓Founding-era American outboard heritage with 1920s racing wins
- ✓Enormous installed base and parts availability in the used market
- ✓BRP continues parts and warranty support for existing owners
Browse & Official Links
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The Honest Take
Both Evinrude Outboard Motors and Johnson Outboards are top-tier outboard builders — you can buy either with confidence. Evinrude leans toward owners of existing e-tec/g2 motors and buyers researching used evinrude outboards and brand history, while Johnson leans toward owners of existing johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. For most buyers the deciding factors are which dealer and service network is strongest in your area, and which brand your local mechanics know best. Whichever you choose, you can browse listings for both on OutboardListings.com.
FAQ
Is Evinrude or Johnson the better outboard?
Neither is universally "better" — they lead in different areas. Evinrude is best for owners of existing e-tec/g2 motors and buyers researching used evinrude outboards and brand history. Johnson is best for owners of existing johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. The right choice depends on how you boat and what dealer support is near you.
What is the HP range of Evinrude vs Johnson?
Evinrude Outboard Motors offers (historic) up to 300 hp — brand discontinued, while Johnson Outboards offers (historic) portable through high-hp — brand discontinued.
Who owns Evinrude and Johnson?
Evinrude Outboard Motors: BRP Inc. — brand discontinued May 2020. Johnson Outboards: BRP Inc. — brand discontinued after 2007.