One of the lesser-known Subaru products is the Levorg, essentially a estate version of the Impreza. It has been around since 2014 and has largely been confined to the Japanese market. The first-generation model was sold in select European markets including the UK while the current car, launched in 2020, can be had in New Zealand as the WRX GT estate and in Australia as the WRX Sportwagon. This new Levorg Layback is a JDM-only affair, at least for the time being.
In the lead up to the car's official debut today in the Land of the Rising Sun, Subaru said it would be an SUV version of the estate. However, this new Layback derivative is basically the same estate with a raised suspension and plastic body cladding. The jacked-up stance has increased ground clearance to 200 millimetres (7.9 inches) or 55 mm (2.2 in) more than before.
2024 Subaru Levorg Layback (JDM)
At 4,770 millimetres (187.8 inches) long, 1,820 mm (71.7 in) wide, and 1,570 mm (61.8 in) tall, it's 15 mm (0.6 in) longer, 25 mm (1 in) wider, and 70 mm (2.8 in) taller than the regular Levorg. The cargo capacity remains unchanged, at 561 litres (19.8 cubic feet). The adventurous estate on stilts rides on 18-inch wheels with 225/55 R18 all-season tyres.
Motivation is provided by a turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol engine producing 174 bhp and 221 pound-feet (300 Newton-metres) of torque channelled to the Subaru Symmetrical AWD system through a CVT Lineartronic.
The 2024 Levorg Layback makes us of a next-generation EyeSight system equipped with a wide-angle camera as standard equipment. Customers also get a Harman Kardon sound setup, an 11.6-inch infotainment, and a 12.3-inch digital driver's display. In addition, owners have the possibility to remotely control AC to pre-condition the vehicle's interior via a smartphone app.
Subaru also sells the Levorg at home in Japan as an STI Sport model with a more aggressive body kit and some mechanical upgrades, although it’s not a fully fledged STI product. At the beginning of the year, it launched an STI Sport Performance special edition limited to 500 units and equipped with 19-inch BBS forged wheels, a transmission oil cooler, a strut tower brace, and a flexible draw stiffener. The spicy estate also received 225/40 ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres, Recaro front bucket seats, and a variety of black accents.
Depending on the market, the Levorg is also available with a larger 2.4-litre turbocharged engine with 256 bhp and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm). It too works with a CVT sending power to both axles.
The Forbidden Fruit:
Source: Subaru