Resistance is futile: Subaru’s turbocharged Levorg wagon

Photos by Aida Sevilla Mendoza

 

You can count on Subaru to come up with a quirky nameplate for its latest offering, the Levorg.

Among car buffs, Subaru is known for its differently designed, yet swift, sure-footed and dynamic boxer-engine cars.

The Levorg’s unusual name is derived from a combination of three words: “Le” from “Legacy,” the Subaru estate car/wagon it is replacing; “vo” from “revolution” and “rg” from “touring.”

After it was displayed as a concept at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, the Subaru Levorg went into commercial production in time for global release for the 2016 model year.

Launched in Manila in December 2015, the Levorg is an AWD wagon riding on an extended version of the WRX hot hatch’s platform.

It is powered by Subaru’s all-new 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol boxer engine.

In the Philippines, the Levorg is available with only one engine, the 1.6 turbo petrol, and one gearbox, Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission).

In other markets, it is offered with a 2.0-liter powerplant. There is no manual transmission variant.

Visual impact

With its longer wheelbase, hawk-eye LED headlamps, hood scoop, rear spoiler, twin tailpipes, and 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, the Levorg projects the visual impact of a sporty shooting brake.

The interior resembles that of the Impreza but with higher quality, soft touch trim materials, and piano black finish.

In the GT-S variant (P1.718 million), it has leather seats, leather flat-bottomed steering wheel, and leather gearshift knob—all with blue stitching.

Subaru has installed the latest infotainment and connectivity systems in the Levorg GT-S, including a multifunction display, intuitive voice recognition, premium audio system with 7-inch touchscreen, hands-free Bluetooth compatibility, dual USB ports, and aux-in for front passengers and dual USB ports for rear passengers.

Aside from the above, the Levorg’s interior is space-efficient, offers generous legroom and headroom front and back, supportive seats, the usual stout build quality of a Subie, and fit-and-finish second only in excellence to German cars.

The rear seat is 60/40 split folding with a center armrest.  With the rear seat up, the wide-opening cargo area offers 522 liters of storage space; with the rear seat backrests down, it extends to 1,446 liters.

All-new engine

Subaru’s new 1.6-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder twin-scroll turbocharged DOHC engine mated to a Lineartronic CVT with six simulated ratios makes its debut in the Levorg.

It is the first engine of Subaru to combine automatic stop-start with direct fuel injection (DIT stands for direct injection turbo), and will be a key powerplant for future small vehicles.

Producing 168 bhp and 250 Newton meters/1,800-4,800  max torque, the FB16 engine with its broader spread of torque is expected to deliver the same level of performance as one of Subaru’s old 2.5-liter naturally aspirated flat fours.

But power is actually slightly lower than the 2.5 flat four’s, although torque is higher.

What’s more, a 168 bhp engine appears out of place in a P1.718-million shooting brake with sporting ambitions, especially one with a large hood scoop.

The wide spread of torque from only 1,800 rpm does make the engine feel larger and friskier than its size suggests, but it is mated to a transmission that saps its enthusiasm and economy.

Throttle response

Six preset ratios allow the CVT to give the more naturally accelerative feel of a conventional automatic transmission, and yet throttle response is not sharp.

Subaru Intelligent Drive lets you choose between the fuel-efficient Intelligent driving mode and the supposedly more exciting Sport mode, while the paddle shifters can be used to experience a kind of six-speed manual shifting.

But none of these feels like the genuine six-speed manual gearbox: its belt-driven automatic transmission is a clue that the Levorg is not really a performance-minded vehicle.

Indeed, the Levorg looks a lot sportier than it drives.

On the other hand, the Levorg provides sharper handling than its rivals, aided by the very low center of gravity occasioned by the lower, flatter profile of its boxer engine.

Subaru ensured crisper handling response and a limited roll rate by stiffening the springs of the four-wheel independent suspension (MacPherson struts in front, double wishbone at the rear), upgrading the dampers, strengthening the anti-roll bars, stiffening the bushings and slightly altering the geometry.

Symmetrical AWD

Subaru’s world-famous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (active torque, split AWD type), Vehicle Dynamics Control, and Active Torque Vectoring work together to help the Levorg’s driver to maintain control when cornering and improve traction in slippery conditions.

These devices assure secure, stable handling, and steering responsiveness.

Plenty of grip comes from the 225/45R18 tires, and the brakes work well with a solid feel. Turn-in is brisk and cornering is stable. You won’t need a lot of the stability control in dry driving conditions, more of it in the wet.

Compared with traditional family cars, the Levorg retains strong control of its body movements as befits a vehicle with a WRX front end.

When it comes to safety, the Levorg has an Advanced Safety Package consisting of  High-Beam Assist and Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection, 4-wheel disc brakes with rear calipers, ABS with EBD, brake assist, brake override, seven SRS airbags, and reverse parking camera aside from the ring-shaped reinforcement frame and cabin-protecting layout.

Summing up

The Levorg looks sporty, handles sharply, and has the best AWD system in the business. It offers more cabin and cargo space than the average family car, a high level of standard kit, excellent build quality, and Subaru’s tradition of building robust, reliable cars.

But it lacks real power as the new 1.6 DIT engine is not particularly fast, and the CVT lacks a sense of driver involvement.

The Levorg falls short as a driver’s car, which is disappointing since WRX DNA throbs within its very being.

That said, the Levorg would still be the logical choice for young families and multi-tasking people who need a sporty-looking, reliable car with a spacious cabin, ample cargo room and flexibility for their various activities.