Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Subaru Levorg estate review (2015-2020)

“The Subaru Levorg is handsome, practical and refined, but its high purchase price and significant running costs mean it’ll be a niche choice at best”

Carbuyer Rating

3.0 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.8 out of 5

Read owner reviews

Pros

  • Good to drive
  • Handsome design
  • Impressively practical

Cons

  • Expensive to buy and run
  • Infuriating CVT transmission
  • Only one engine and trim available

The Subaru Levorg is something of a rarity in the mid-size family estate class. Instead of using a diesel engine or a small, economical turbocharged petrol unit like many of the newest cars to arrive on the market, the Subaru uses a non-turbo 2.0-litre petrol engine and a CVT automatic gearbox attached to a standard four-wheel-drive system.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Buyers looking at Subaru’s rivals will be struck by the difference; the Volkswagen Golf Estate, Ford Focus Estate and Skoda Octavia Estate all come with a wide range of engines, a choice of gearboxes and a number of trim levels. Subaru would prefer the Levorg to be considered alongside compact executive estates like the Audi A4 Avant and BMW 3 Series but it can’t match them in terms of quality.

The absence of choice would be fine if the Levorg was cheap to buy, but it isn’t. It costs around £31,000, which is much more than many of its rivals. Even the well-equipped GT trim level doesn’t really justify the high price.

Standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, keyless entry, a rear parking camera, four USB ports located around the car’s interior, Subaru’s latest infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice control, Bluetooth and two 12-volt power outputs.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

That’s undoubtedly an impressive list of kit but the car’s main failing lies with its engine. The Levorg was launched in the UK in 2015 with a 168bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine but the 2019 facelift saw that unit replaced by a 147bhp 2.0-litre without a turbocharger. Fuel economy improved slightly but the car can still only manage 32.6mpg on the latest WLTP combined cycle test with CO2 emissions of 167g/km. Performance, meanwhile, took a nosedive with the current Levorg taking 11.7 seconds to cover the 0-62mph sprint, whereas the old model could do it in 8.9.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The four-wheel-drive system on the Levorg is a big selling point but is also partly what makes the car less economical than rivals. There’s lots of extra grip for slippery conditions and, although the Levorg doesn’t have the same prowess as the older Subaru WRX and Impreza models in terms of handling, it does feel light on its feet and enjoyable to drive.

The Levorg is reasonably comfortable and relaxing to drive, helped by the smooth Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox that is one of the better units of its type. The fact remains, however, that the twin-clutch automatics that tend to feature in rival models are superior, and Subaru’s use of the CVT is another factor in the Levorg’s disappointing fuel economy.

Subaru’s reputation for reliability is almost unrivalled, however, so if you do buy a Levorg, it’s unlikely to go wrong very often – if at all. Subaru finished sixth out of all the manufacturers in our 2019 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey and its dealers were ranked third in the same survey.

The Levorg received the full five stars when it was safety tested by Euro NCAP. As well as a multitude of airbags and the obligatory electronic traction and stability control systems, you get Subaru’s EyeSight package of active safety tech. A pair of cameras monitor the car’s surroundings and inform a series of systems that can help prevent an accident.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Jaguar Type 00 concept revealed: a bold electric future for the British brand
Jaguar Type 00
News
3 Dec 2024

Jaguar Type 00 concept revealed: a bold electric future for the British brand

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
6 Dec 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Vauxhall Frontera review – hybrid or electric, it’s up to you
Vauxhall Frontera front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
5 Dec 2024

Vauxhall Frontera review – hybrid or electric, it’s up to you

More on Levorg

2020 Subaru Levorg revealed at Tokyo Motor Show
2020 Subaru Levorg
News
23 Oct 2019

2020 Subaru Levorg revealed at Tokyo Motor Show

Facelifted Subaru Levorg estate shown as a prototype before late-2020 launch

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024