Subaru Levorg

Overview

Launched at the Capitol Commons at Pasig City, Subaru Levorg is the flagship model for the station-wagon segment by the Japanese automotive brand. The name itself is a culmination of Legacy, Revolution and Touring, which are put together to form the acronym ‘Levorg’. Sharing the same platform as the Subaru Impreza, the 2016 Levorg has been presented with a stylish persona with some major changes to the vehicle’s interiors. The first generation of this 5-door estate car was introduced back in 2013 as a concept vehicle in the Tokyo Motor Show held that year. The vehicle is also known for being a highlighted contender in the 2016 British Touring Car Championship in the Next Generation Tourer category. This is certainly the manufacturer’s attempt to prove the Levorg’s worth as a tourer apart from being a luxurious family vehicle. Buyers will certainly notice the several key changes to the vehicle’s exteriors and interiors, making the Levorg 2016 an entirely new vehicle than the first-gen model.

Interior & Features

The designers at Subaru, while making only some cosmetic changes to the outside have totally revamped the interiors that now look extremely luxurious and have been supplied with tons of modern amenities. The dash has been neatly crafted with all the instruments and gadgets conveniently arranged to ease operation while driving. The first thing you will notice is the futuristic looking centre console that contains the gearbox assembly, touch-screen infotainment panel and the multifunction display that sits above the AC vents. The display shows a variety of useful information such as time, outside and inside temperature, fuel consumption and engine performance etc. The infotainment console also supports Bluetooth connectivity and has ports for USB and Aux connections. The tilt-adjustable steering has also been presented with a multi-function wheel with voice controls and audio switches that doesn’t take away the driver’s attention from the wheel. Being a 5-door estate, the Levorg has also been blessed with roomy interiors and a boot space of 522 litres that makes it extremely handy for long trips.

Exterior

Talking about the vehicle’s exteriors, people might not see many changes in the older design but that doesn’t mean that the 2016 Levorg has not been updated. While the manufacturers didn’t make any changes to the overall styling, they have outfitted the vehicle with several advanced features such as LED headlamps and tail light cluster, 18-inch alloys, twin-exhausts, a tilt-adjustable panoramic power sunroof (only offered with the GT-S) and the savvy looking pop-up washers for headlamps. The vehicle is also offered with a choice of 4 body colours namely Steel-Blue Grey Metallic, Crystal White Pearl, Crystal Black Silica and Lapis Blue Pearl. The twin-mufflers for the tailpipes also add a dash of sportiness to the rear along with the LED clusters that set the 2016 Levorg apart from its predecessors.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

The Levorg is offered with the choice of two variants, labelled as the Levorg 1.6GT and 1.6GT-S. Like the titles suggest the car is underpinned by a 1.6-litre FB16 4-cylinder Boxer engine, which is a signature in Subaru brand vehicles. The engine churns out 168 bhp @ 4800-5000 rpm with a max torque of 250 Nm @ 1800-4800 rpm. The FB16 engine has also been equipped with a Direct Injection Turbocharger that results in a higher power despite the low displacement. The use of computer controlled fuel injection also improves the vehicle’s mileage making it perfect for city driving. The boxer engine setup as compared to a regular inline or straight-4 setup helps reduce excess vibration guaranteeing a smooth and comfortable drive. It is offered with a Lineartronic CVT automatic gearbox for effortless driving in heavy traffic, while maintaining a decent fuel economy.

Braking & Safety

Safety has always been one of the primary concerns for the Japanese automakers and the new Levorg features a reinforced ring-shaped frame that protects the occupants from collisions with its smartly placed crumple zones. The vehicle’s chassis has also been specially designed to slip under the vehicle in case of a head-on collision than the front cabin. It features front and side SRS airbags in the front cabin and curtain SRS airbags for the rear. Apart from this the GT-S model also features a high-beam assist and the Advanced safety package that provides warning signals when changing lanes, parking, driving in reverse, blind-spots and collisions. The all-wheel drive assembly has been outfitted with disc-brake with assistance from technologies such as anti-lock braking system with EBD and Brake-Assist for effective braking and bringing the vehicle to a halt. The comfort is also great in the new Levorg with a massive amount of leg and headspace. The boxer engine also helps eliminate excess vibration from the vehicle resulting in a smooth and luxurious ride.

Verdict

The 2016 Subaru Levorg is certainly a strong contender for the Philippine market with its highly advanced features and superior performance. While it doesn’t have much to offer than its predecessor in terms of looks, the inclusion of advanced technologies and comfort features have proven that the Japanese autobrand are certainly the master of their game.