Frankly, it’s hard to classify what the Subaru Levorg is. Subaru calls it a compact sports tourer which is marketing speak for: We can’t decide if it’s a compact car, a sports sedan, or a wagon, so we’ll just blend it all together. And true enough, the recipe of the Levorg is largely that: a front-end shared with the WRX, a dashboard similar to that of an XV, and the trunk space comparable to that of a Forester. And while this amalgam of Legacy + Revolution + Touring sounds as disastrous as “Aldub”, the resulting car is actually quite good. It’s excellent. It’s a gamble that’s paid off handsomely for Subaru.

Outside, it’s clear the Levorg is based off the WRX (sharing even its wheelbase) but with more chrome. There’s some of that bright work on the grille, fog lamp clusters, window moldings, and mirrors. The front bumpers have been massaged, adding some curves near the fog lamp clusters that lessen the Evo-lookalike vibe. It’s from the B-pillar backward where the Levorg gets its own unique character. The long, angular roofline that stretches past almost to the taillights is reminiscent of the boxy Volvo 850 wagon and for that alone, it gets sexy points. And on top of that, you get turbine-style 18-inch alloy wheels with high-performance tires and twin tailpipes with a built-in diffuser. This is so much win.




While those in front will be all thumbs up for its supportive seats and cavernous interior, those in the back won’t be as lucky. The rear seats, though capable of seating three, will have to live with compromised comfort. Although the seat backs themselves are adjustable via a lever, the cushion length barely reaches the middle of the thighs forcing those in the back to sit uncomfortably straight resulting in, likely, sore bums after hours in traffic. As a grocery getter, the Levorg has a taller and wider, but shorter cargo compartment compared to say, the Mazda6 Sport Wagon. In terms of numbers though, it gives up 78 liters in trunk space compared to the Forester with the rear seats folded (1,446 versus 1,524 liters).




Locally, the Levorg is the first Subaru model equipped with an idle start/stop function. It operates smoothly and is unobtrusively. And for the geeks at heart, the gauge cluster actually displays the liters of premium unleaded saved. Surprisingly, that did little to lift the Levorg’s fuel efficiency numbers. It manages just 7.93 km/L in heavy (average speed 15 km/h) and 10.41 in light traffic (average speed 24 km/h). Still, it can realistically do 400 kilometers between fill ups thanks to a generous 60-liter tank.




The WRX-based underpinnings allow the Levorg to be quick in a straight line as well as through corners. It’s fun, maneuverable, and tossable through curvy roads. The initial turn in is quick and it’s mighty predictable thanks to the well-tuned chassis. It’s not as quick as the WRX, but without a back-to-back comparison, you can’t tell. The chassis’ predictability is closely matched by the flat, almost non-existent body roll making this one confident car to push flat out. Subaru says they’ve benchmarked the Volvo V60 and Audi S3 in developing the Levorg, and it shows. And get this: it doesn’t compromise the ride in any way. It rides firmly for sure, but it remains controlled whether it’s absorbing undulating potholes or road cracks.

Subaru’s chop suey strategy shouldn’t make any sense, but with the Levorg it does. Priced at P 1,718,000, it’s trapped in a sea of executive sedans and compact crossovers, and yet, it stands out not just for its excellent handling but for its quirky and unique packaging. Let’s also not forget that it’s now Subaru’s now affordable turbocharged model. For this price, it comes packed with features some of which aren’t available in other more expensive Subaru models. Apart from the idle start/stop, it has blind spot monitors, cross traffic alert, and even a high-beam assist for the headlights. Of course, like all other Subarus, the Levorg is destined for the owner-driver. It’s fun and enjoyable rather than plush and cushy. Subaru has given the best they’ve got with the Levorg and for that, it’s worthy of consideration.