2018 Suzuki Marine 15 HP DF15AS EFI Outboard Motor

Suzuki's DF15AS EFI shares the DF15AL's 15 hp, battery-less fuel-injected four-stroke but is built for a shallower, 15-inch transom, and unlike the AL, lets you pick manual or electric starting. Pick manual and it weighs 97 pounds; pick electric and it weighs 105.

Before you order

Verify 15 inches is the right transom figure for your boat, since that is shorter than the AL version of this engine. Settling on manual pull-rope versus electric push-button starting ahead of time matters too, as each option ships with its own hardware and its own weight.

Inside the engine

This runs the same 2-cylinder SOHC block as the AL trim, with Suzuki's lean-burn system trimming fuel delivery and a top-end near 5000-6000 rpm. Push comes from a 9.25-inch, 3-blade propeller, and the motor keeps the class-standard protections against low oil pressure and over-revving.

A 3.1-gallon tank with its line, a printed manual, a tool kit and an aluminum propeller round out the box, with three years of coverage from Suzuki.

Do I get to pick the start type on this one? Yes, manual and electric are both offered on this trim.

Why would someone pick manual over electric here? Skipping the starter and battery keeps the motor lighter and removes an electrical system to maintain, which some owners prefer on a backup or trolling setup.

Whichever start type you choose, the shorter 15-inch mounting height on this trim suits boats with a lower transom than the AL version calls for, so confirming that measurement first saves a return later.