Subaru Levorg Review 

My legacy GTB is already 19yr old and still loves it inside out, though i have evo x and r20 . . . Not much power compared to the other two but dammmn it is sweeeetttttt.....

+pipnmaz In the review on our website - www.testdriven.co.uk/subaru-levorg-review/ - we argued that a dual-clutch transmission would have suited the Levorg perfectly. We're hoping that this first model represents a toe-in-the-water approach for Subaru, and in that light it makes sense for them to import what they already have - in Japan, CVTs are popular(ish). Speaking entirely personally, though, my opinion is much the same as yours - even a conventional auto would have been better than CVT.

+Paul Hojda The automatic is not such a problem. I'd buy it if it would have a normal automatic gearbox with paddles. Or if the car would act sporty. But the CVT destroys all the fun.

Most people in Norway buy new cars with automatic/cvt transmissions. Many kids who take driving licenses these days don't bother to take license for manual transmissions cars. You can only drive manual transmission in Norway if you have the correct license. Everyone with license can drive a car with automatic transmission. CVT is quick when your engine has max torque from 1800rpm. Levorg is the sportiest car I've owned. And the only car I've owned that doesn't have a manual transmission. The sporty image of a manual transmission comes from the inefficiency between gear changes.

+balltime That's just a foot rest on the left.

+TestDriven my 09 fxt has the same pedal set up

+L0CK3RW4LL It's better to have it than not, but it's no substitute for a manual. You can hold on to gears for longer, but it never really allows you to exploit peak torque which starts from 1,800 rpm. The result is that the surge of acceleration this engine is capable of delivering as the turbo kicks in is never really apparent. Even in manual mode, the Levorg's engine feels like it's at the other end of a long piece of elastic, always trying to catch up. Which is a real shame, because the rest of it is awesome.

+TestDriven Thanks.

​@@TestDrivenUK and if it wasn't for this very matter I would be very tempted to buy one!

+berrcutio Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad it was useful! Regarding the damping, yes, I was suggesting it could be revised in a future version - Subaru are generally very good at refining things at each new model year. It may be that the current suspension set-up is fine for the roads you drive on regularly, but if you felt it needed changing, I'm sure it won't be long before the various suspension manufacturers offer an upgrade for the Levorg.

please.

No

Richard Joash Tan And you are a BUTTHURT! I expressed my opinion in a normal, calm manner, and you come here and say bullshit. CVT: I said it bothers ME. Never said it makes the car worthless. Price: IN MY COUNTRY. So go cry somewhere else.

+ast5515 The CVT in the Levorg is pretty awesome. It behaves like a regular automatic. I don't know how Subaru did it, but their CVTs are miles ahead from Toyota, Nissan, etc. :) Though yes, in my country, it puts me off because the 1.6T version is as expensive as the Forester 2.0XT, and that's just wrong.

+mj7100 We're hoping that if enough people comment that it should come with a manual 'box, Subaru UK will be able to build a business case to take back to Japan and make it happen.

+softytop1000 I personally think they've pitched the power level about right, it's just that it's got the wrong gearbox. A diesel might be interesting (it would be 150hp), but I'm expecting a bit of a diesel backlash to start spreading, and it could be that Subaru are ahead of the curve for once. If it's more power you want, remember the WRX STI can be yours for only £1,500 more!

WRX STI estate?

To be fair,I'm one of the people that this vehicles spec is ideal....I do lowish miles,don't want diesel,want 4wd and a small turbo petrol is ideal for my needs.

+Ian Kaye Have you watched the video? You sound like you think we gave the Levorg a negative review, but our findings were overwhelmingly positive, with the exception of damping and the gearbox. We certainly never mentioned anything about the parking brake, electric seats or aerodynamics, so I'm at a loss as to why you've quoted Autocar at us.

Not at all. The classic version got nice suspension. And 17inch wheels also has a softer ride with less road noise than 18inch. Suspension is less bouncy on big bumps with 2.3bar air pressure. My kids never get car sickness in my levorg.