Subaru Levorg GT she says, he says review
She: Back in the nineties and early noughties (2000-2009), the Subaru WRX achieved cult like status, especially among young male car enthusiasts. Subaru's Liberty also had a strong following and now the Japanese brand has a new turbocharged player - the Levorg. The company describes it as the replacement or "spiritual successor" for the Liberty GT wagon. In reality it seems more like a grown-up WRX with a big boot. It's good to see some of the WRX's classic features retained, such as the turbo bonnet scoop. What were your first thoughts Steve?
He: It definitely strikes me more as a WRX wagon rather than a Liberty - both in size but also execution. Like you say, Dani, it has some classic WRX features such as the bonnet scoop, alloy wheels, etc. But mechanically it is very similar, too, packing the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged 'boxer' engine good for 197kW and 350Nm. So I thought it was a fun and quick car to drive. The extra weight - roughly 80kg - over the WRX is noticeable once you start really pushing it, but otherwise it felt like a proper hot hatch. What did you think of the drive?
She: It's really fun to drive and extremely fast. It can get from 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds, which is slightly slower than the WRX sedan (bear in mind that extra weight). The all-wheel drive gives good traction. The handling and steering is quite good and it responds well to turns and curvy roads. I'm not a big fan of CVT automatics but the Levorg's version is ok. Though there are different sports modes you can choose from, it's a pity it doesn't come in a manual transmission. It would enhance that nostalgic feel of the original WRX and give it a sportier edge. In terms of pricing, the Levorg starts at $42,990 for the base GT model? Do you think that's reasonable?
He: That's $4000 more expensive than a WRX hatch, which isn't too bad when you consider the extra space that money buys. It's reasonable well equipped too with 18-inch alloys, leather trimmed steering wheel and gearshift, nice cloth trimmed seats, keyless entry and ignition, Bluetooth and a six-speaker sound system. Having said that, it does miss out on some items I'd expect in a $40K car, most notably navigation.
She: Like you Steve, I was surprised sat nav didn't come as a standard feature. But I was extremely impressed with the safety features. Aside from the usual stuff, what really impressed me was Subaru's 'Eyesight' system. It's been around for a few years, but the technology continues to evolve and it's quite sophisticated. The cameras on the windscreen watch the road ahead to detect any imminent danger, such as a pedestrian or car that suddenly pulls out. It then automatically applies the brakes. Subaru claims it works like an extra pair of eyes on the road, even an "extra foot" on the brake, if required. There are handy safety features such as pre-collision steering assist and lane departure warning. Overall, does the Levorg do enough to provide a complete package for you?
He: The catch for me is the Levorg doesn't feel as sharp on the limit as the WRX, and the CVT detracts from its dynamic performance too, but it makes up for it in other ways. The space in the back seats is really good for what is ultimately still a small car. Add to that a 522-litre boot with 60/40 split folding rear seats, that can be dropped at the touch of a button, and you have a practical but sporty machine. What about you, Dani? Does the Levorg win you over?
She: I agree with you Steve, the CVT does lack responsiveness but there's still a lot to like about the Levorg. There's decent power as well as the space and practicality of a wagon. The safety features are excellent too. Still, I would've liked the option of a manual gearbox to really reignite the inner rally driver in me.
Subaru Levorg GT pricing and specifications
Price: $42,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 197kW at 5600rpm
Torque: 350Nm at 2400-5200rpm
Transmission: CVT, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 8.7L/100km