Reviews
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A classic-Liberty sized sports wagon with WRX running gear, the Subaru Levorg will give the VW Golf R wagon a run for its money.
WHAT IS IT? About the same size as the Mk4 Liberty wagon, the Levorg is essentially an elongated WRX. But it has a softer ride and more refinement, in order to lure old-school Subaru buyers who found this decade’s Liberty and Outback a bit too large and boxy. As a family-hauling GT, we reckon Subaru might have hit its target.
WHY WE’RE TESTING IT For too long, we’ve complained that the Liberty (and Outback) has abandoned the series’ one-time Audi A4-esque style and sophistication, chasing American market acceptance. So we were very excited to hear that Subaru was returning to the Liberty GT wagon heartland with the Levorg. Is it a WRX for (slightly more) grown-ups?
MAIN RIVALS Skoda Octavia RS wagon, Holden Commodore SS-V Sportwagon, Volkswagen Golf R wagon, Audi A4 Avant TFSI quattro, Volvo V60 T6 R-Design
PLUS: Size, performance, handling, roadholding, practicality, design, versatility MINUS: No manual option, power drop for Oz versions, unadventurous Subaru cabin
THE WHEELS REVIEW BUILD it and they will come. Along with Kevin Costner’s classic Field of Dreams, 1989 also gave us the first Liberty, a quality midsizer that culminated in the sleek Mk4 of 2003 – until supersized Americans demanded something more bloated and blunter to take on Camry and co at the beginning of this decade.
Now, Subaru hates us calling Levorg a WRX wagon, even though most panels up to the B-pillar are shared. As are the platform and running gear, including the 2.0-litre direct-injection four-cylinder turbo boxer, driving all four wheels (with a 55/45 rear-axle bias) through the company’s Lineartronic CVT. Why? The clue lies in the lack of gearbox choice. Though fundamentally identical in suspension set-up (struts up front, double wishbones behind), including the same dampers and (electric) steering ratio, the newcomer has been tuned for greater comfort, in line with consumer expectations. Oz-bound examples might even include Bilstein shockers. GT Spec.B Subies are back!
Sampling it over a few laps of the Japanese Olympic bicycle racing team training centre – a smooth but twisting 5km course – in 221kW home-spec GT and flagship GT-S guises revealed little about the Levorg’s ride. It felt comfortable and quiet, but the fluid steering, impressively flat cornering attitude, and muscular acceleration would seem incredibly similar to those familiar with the reactive and involving WRX. The oddball venue stymied the expected rawness and drama derived from the Subaru performance icon, but its uniquely satisfying urge, punch, and intoxicating verve are certainly present, and in spadefuls. It only left us wanting more, but the drive day precluded any public road experience. Note, however, that ours will only develop 201kW. Still, roll on winter 2016.
The Levorg’s athletic intent is reflected in the wide wheel-arch stance and sleeker silhouette compared to any previous Liberty equivalent, but standing beside today’s Mk6 Outback – the only wagon the brand currently offers – its medium-sized packaging is evident, with ample space for four adults and their gear. Dimensionally speaking, cabin room is slightly ahead of the classic Liberty overall, with a cargo capacity to rival the lardier Mk5 to boot.
And that’s what the Levorg will be all about – a return to European sports wagon values, underlined by the signature boxer-driven personality. Additional future iterations may edge the nameplate even closer to the old Liberty wagon heartland, but for now, this is a clarion call for loyalists to reconsider the Japanese brand’s sporty credentials. Subaru has built it. Let’s see if they come.
SPECS Model: Subaru Levorg 2.0 DIT Engine: 1998cc 4-cyl, dohc, 16v, turbo Max power: 221kW @ 5600rpm Max torque: 400Nm @ 2000-4800rpm Transmission: 1-speed CVT Weight: 1570kg 0-100km/h: 6.2sec (approximate) Fuel economy: 7.6L/100km Price: From $45,000 (estimate) On sale: June 2016
