Subaru LEVORG (VM)

This is probably one of the most ideal cars to drive when you woke up at 3 o'clock in the morning and go out for an early cruise round the town. Sure, you have the roads with you at the time but in this new model I'll be tackling about, think of it like you're going away from your house in the suburbs, then travel round town until you reached your granny's house, which is about a few miles from a historic site. How lucky this scenario would be especially the car you were driving is an estate available only in Japan.

2015 Subaru LEVORG

This is the LEVORG and even though it has a very weird name, Subaru claims that this is a Real Sports Tourer as said in their advertising but come on, even though it's a sports tourer which is the size of the outgoing Legacy Touring Wagon, which will be phased out this year, I don't really hold much hope even though it's not going to be offered worldwide because it's available exclusively to the Japanese market.

Sure, it was similarly sized to the Legacy Touring Wagon but unlike the Legacy Touring Wagon, the LEVORG looks clean in the exterior design department and it looks handsome as well. The bonnet scoop adds a nice touch because what's underneath it are one of two DIT engines which I'll talk about it later but anyway, because it looks more like a European sports tourer, there's nothing to criticize about how the LEVORG looks and as for the interior...

2015 Subaru LEVORG interior

It's all typical Subaru interior in here, but when fully equipped, you get the same experience that you felt from watching a very erotic Danish commercial. While taking an early morning cruise on a Tokyo highway, the LEVORG really soothes my mind, and I don't need to worry about a single thing because it's a very comfortable ride. After all, it's as well-lubricated as a jar of Vaseline.

It's the first to offer Eyesight Ver. 3, which is the new and improved version of Subaru's very own pre-crash safety system. For Version 3, it integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning. If you have any doubts, handle this stuff with care.

So, on the city highways, the LEVORG is brilliant because of its comfort zone and the clever suspension setup that makes this tourer feel like in a different league, but as dawn reaches and the open roads are in reach, the LEVORG starts to unravel.

2015 Subaru LEVORG

The LEVORG offers two turbocharged petrol engines, making it a fun car to drive. However, despite the turbocharged engines, the only available transmission is a LINEARTRONIC CVT gearbox. Different engine types provide distinct settings for this gearbox. 

 

First, there's the FB16 DIT engine, which generates a modest 170 PS of power and achieves a fuel economy of 17.4 km/liter (JC08 mode). This makes it quite suitable for longer drives. Models equipped with the 1.6L DIT engine feature two modes in the SI-DRIVE system, allowing you to choose between optimal fuel efficiency and enhanced driving enjoyment.

 

Then, we have the top-of-the-line FA20 DIT engine, producing an impressive 300 PS of power and 400 Nm of torque. For models featuring this high-performance engine, there’s an S# mode in the SI-DRIVE that enables drivers to use paddle shifters to shift through eight simulated gears. This SPORT LINEARTRONIC CVT gearbox enhances responsiveness compared to other CVTs, making for a more engaging driving experience.

 

With a new chassis and Subaru's renowned SYMMETRICAL AWD system, the LEVORG is a well-equipped sports tourer ready for the road ahead. While navigating speed bumps might cause some concern, the driving experience evokes the thrill of cruising in a Subaru wagon on adventurous roads. Subarus are designed to tackle any terrain, no matter how challenging it may be.

2015 Subaru LEVORG

If I have any doubts about the LEVORG, I would say that the interior feels a bit too stale, the CVT gearbox isn't a good fit for a turbo engine (if you're a Subarist), and the biggest issue with this car is the price. Starting at around 2,667,600 JPY (estimated $27,000), it's more expensive than its rival wagon from Toyota, the Avensis. However, unlike the Avensis, the Subaru LEVORG is much more fun to drive because of its turbocharged engine, and it has all the features a good sports wagon should have: being agile in the turns while still serving as a family or company car. You can even use it to run errands to the shops and take advantage of its larger trunk.

It might have a silly name, but the LEVORG is definitely a serious daily driver's car for serious drivers. Despite being a serious machine, the LEVORG can be taken lightly with care, and I just want one of those in my whole life.

Available colors: Crystal White Pearl, Steel Blue Grey Metallic, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Lightning Red, and Galaxy Blue Silica.

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries