Suzuki’s DF20A, Mercury’s 20 EFI and Tohatsu’s MFS20E are all fuel-injected four-stroke 20 hp outboards suited to jon boats, small aluminum fishing boats, inflatables and small pontoons. In our listings the Suzuki has the lowest starting price and many trim and tiller versions, Mercury offers electric start and power trim on tiller models, and Tohatsu is the only one of the three we list as complete remote-steering bundles. All three come in short and long shafts; Tohatsu bundles add an extra-long option.
20 hp outboards compared (our listings)
| Suzuki DF20A | Mercury 20 EFI | Tohatsu MFS20E | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | EFI on most listed versions | EFI | EFI (battery-less) |
| Shafts listed | 15″, 20″ | 15″, 20″ | 15″, 20″, 25″ |
| Options listed | Manual or electric start, power trim and tilt, tiller | Manual or electric start, tiller, power trim and tilt | Manual or electric start, power trim, remote bundles |
| Listed price range | $3,185.00 to $3,885.00 | $3,650.00 to $4,415.00 | $3,290.00 to $4,308.99 |
Suzuki 20 vs Tohatsu 20
Both are light, fuel-injected and popular on jon boats. Tohatsu’s 20 shares its family with its 9.9 and 15, and Tohatsu designed the series without needing a battery for the fuel injection, which suits manual-start setups. Suzuki offers more power-trim and tiller combinations in our listings. See Suzuki vs Tohatsu.
Mercury 20 vs the others
Mercury’s 20s are listed as tiller models with manual or electric start and an option for power trim and tilt; they sit at the higher end of the price range. If a Mercury dealer is close to where you boat, that support can be worth more than the price difference. See Suzuki vs Mercury and Tohatsu vs Mercury.
Tiller or remote?
Most 20 hp engines are run with a tiller. A remote setup with a steering wheel and console makes sense on a boat with a console or a pontoon; Tohatsu’s bundles include the parts for that. See tiller vs remote outboards.
Is 20 hp enough?
Check your boat’s capacity plate for its maximum horsepower and never exceed it. For heavier loads or faster planing, a 25 may be worth it if your boat is rated for it; see 20 vs 25 hp outboards.
The letters in each model code tell you the shaft length, starting and trim; see Mercury outboard model codes for how they work, and match the shaft to your transom with the outboard shaft length guide.
Examples from our listings
- Suzuki DF20AS: $3,185.00
- Suzuki DF20ATHL: $3,665.00
- Mercury 20MH EFI: $3,650.00
- Mercury 20ELHPT EFI: $4,415.00
- Tohatsu MFS20ES: $3,290.00
- Tohatsu MFS20EEPTL Remote Bundle: $4,148.99
Browse all 20 hp outboards and jon boat outboards.
More guides: 9.9 hp outboards compared · outboard motor prices by HP.
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