2018 Subaru Levorg price and features – range expands with new 1.6 turbo

Subaru Australia has bulked up its Levorg range of midsize wagons, doubling the amount of models on offer by introducing two new 1.6-litre turbocharged models to compliment the existing 2.0-litre variants.

The range now starts with the $35,990 Levorg 1.6 GT, which takes over from the discontinued 2.0 GT spec as the entrypoint to the Levorg family. The $42,890 1.6 GT Premium is next in line, with the $49,140 Levorg 2.0 GT-S sitting above it. At the top end, the newly-christened Levorg 2.0 STI Sport caps off the range at $51,990.

Astute observers will notice that the money required to get into the 2.0-litre models has risen substantially. Though the 2.0 GT-S grade doesn’t undergo any price rises, the absence of the superseded 2.0 GT – which previously retailed at $43,240 – means buyers will now be paying north of $50k to get a 2.0-litre Levorg on the road.

The 2.0-litre engine, shared with the WRX sedan, continues to generate 197kW and 350Nm, with a CVT automatic the sole transmission on offer.

The 1.6-litre, however, is an entirely new engine for Subaru Australia, and produces 125kW between 4800-5600rpm, and 250Nm spread between 1800rpm and 4800rpm. It too comes standard with a CVT.

Both engines require 95-octane petrol.

All models from the 1.6 GT Premium and above ride on Bilstein suspension and cop sportier handling as a result, with changes to rubber bushings, spring rate, damper calibration, suspension travel and rear stabiliser diameter all being made for the 2018 model year.

The flagship Levorg 2.0 STI Sport has its own STI-tuned suspension hardware, while all 2.0-litre models also gain new brake pad compounds for improved stopping power with reduced braking effort.

All 2018 Levorg variants wear revised front-end styling and new LED headlamps, though other cosmetic updates are few.

The flagship STI Sport is the exception, gaining its own unique front bumper and grille, maroon leather seat upholstery, STI-branded instrument cluster, STI badging on the steering wheel and scuff plates, STI exhaust tips and a World Rally Blue colour option.

Mid- and high-grade models gain new alloy wheel designs.

Equipment upgrades see a 5.9-inch colour multifunction display replace the 4.3-inch screen that previously sat at the top of the dash, with rain-sensing windscreen wipers, hillhold assist, steerable headlamps and 40/20/40 split rear seats also on the list of new additions for the 2018 model year.

All models bar the base 1.6 GT receive a 'smart' rearview mirror, which is capable of displaying the rear vision camera feed within the mirror itself, as well as a front-facing camera to aid parking precision and to avoid danger when pulling out from intersections with poor visibility.

PRICING

The 2018 Levorg range is on sale now, with retail pricing as follows (on road costs not included):

• Subaru Levorg 1.6 GT - $35,990
• Subaru Levorg 1.6 GT-Premium - $42,890
• Subaru Levorg 2.0 GT-S - $49,140
• Subaru Levorg 2.0 STI Sport - $51,990