subaru RChoiceecommended Editor’s
Subaru Outback
Several car brands off er more rugged and raised versions of their estate cars, but the Subaru Outback exists solely as that. The all-wheel-drive Outback is built to cope with the kinds of terrain that you might only expect to fi nd on a rally stage. No bad thing then if it means you like going beyond the beaten track. One of the only limiting factors with the Outback is the lack of engine choice. Its 2.5-litre engine pushes it higher in the emissions ranking, driving up the annual cost of tax, and you can’t have a manual gearbox. Instead, Subaru pairs it with its Lineartronic transmission, which is a CVT by another name. The upsides are that the Outback is a very comfortable car to drive, very capable in more challenging conditions thanks to a near- bulletproof all-wheel drive-transmission, and Subaru provides a generous fi ve-year warranty.
OUR PICK OF THE RANGE Levorg 1.6i GT Lineartronic
OUR PICK OF THE RANGE Impreza 1.6I SE
OUR PICK OF THE RANGE Outback 2.5i SE Lineartronic
Subaru Levorg
This is such an unusual car – and we don’t just mean with a name that spells ‘Grovel’ backwards. Its badge, which is a portmanteau of ‘LEgacy’, ‘reVOlution’ and ‘touRinG’ (no, really…), is the least of its problems in this part of the world, where diesel saloons normally outsell petrol estates. Throw in the Levorg’s single-spec line-up of a 170hp/250Nm boxer-four turbo petrol engine, symmetrical all-wheel drive and GT trim, and you’ve got a car that is sure to appeal to a tiny minority. It’s also criminally thirsty to drive on local roads and not as quick as its Impreza- esque looks might have you believe. And yet… it’s super-reliable, it has a decent and spacious cabin and it drives quite sweetly; even the Lineartronic CVT auto isn’t bad. It’s something you order if you want to be diff erent, but move quick to get a Levorg Mk1: an all-new Mk2 is due for late 2020.
Subaru Impreza
Those of a particular vintage will have fond memories of the Impreza name. However, the car that bears the title in 2020 is a far cry from its rallying predecessors. These days it is a fi ve-door hatchback with more sensible styling, though Subaru does continue to use its ‘boxer’ engine and renowned all-wheel drive. That engine is a 114hp 1.6-litre petrol unit, and its pairing with a CVT automatic transmission means that it isn’t especially quick. That said, the Impreza does get you where you’re going in comfort, and Subaru enjoys a strong reputation for reliability, something that is sometimes overlooked by buyers. It scores a high rating on the safety front, too, thanks to its excellent crash protection and driver assistance features. By no means is it one of the more popular choices in the hatchback segment, but from a longer-term ownership perspective, the Impreza makes a good choice.
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Subaru
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