Layback is a crossover model of Levorg.
Before riding it, I thought, “Why did they go to the trouble of raising the height of the Levorg???”, but when I actually rode it, I realized that it was a product that could be considered the culmination of the Subaru brand.
Summary at the beginning
Ride comfort, handling, engine, and all other elements have been perfected to a level of perfection that will satisfy everyone from beginners to experienced riders who have been riding for decades, making it a safe and secure high-performance car.
It has many elements in common with other Subaru vehicles, making it a “culmination of the Subaru brand.”
Exterior and interior
About appearance
From what I saw on the internet, there were a lot of comments saying it was “uncool,” and I also felt uncomfortable with the design.
However, my opinion changed when I saw this silver specimen in real life.
really cool and artistic . It’s
It looks like a sculpture, and the shape of the overhang next to the grill is very elegant.
The silver plating that connects the left and right sides of the front gives a sharp impression like a Japanese sword, and the bumper design is shaped like a work of art.
When Ria saw the actual car in the parking lot, she thought to herself, “Did I make a reservation by mistake for Levorg?” Especially when looking at her in the dark, she doesn’t even notice much discomfort when compared to Levorg.
It was the same with the WRX S4, but I’m getting angry at the self-proclaimed car enthusiasts who say things like “it’s lame and lame” in the comments section of YouTube before the actual car has even been released.
Not only will they not buy new cars, but they will also post comments like that on the manufacturer’s official posts, tarnishing the image. I don’t think people like that should call themselves Subaruists or car enthusiasts.
About the engine room
I also opened the hood. Subaru’s classic horizontally opposed engine with an intercooler sitting in the upper center. For me, the scenery that has become a standard at a level that I am tired of seeing spreads out.
If you look closely, it looks like there is sound insulation material pasted on the bulkhead side.
There are no reinforced parts that connect the left and right suspension mounting points, but the original body rigidity and front and rear roll balance settings are excellent, so I don’t think it will be necessary to install an aftermarket tower bar.
, such as the turning performance that allows the front to move in quickly, the torque output in the low and medium rotation range that is easy to handle like an EV, and the high rotation range that increases comfortably. Although the fuel efficiency is not very high, the overall score is among the highest a famous engine . It is
About the interior
A style that has become standard for Subaru these days, with a large display sitting in the center.
In particular, it looks exactly like the Crosstrek and WRXS4, and I got the impression that no matter what Subaru car I drive, they are very similar.
I’m a fan of physical air conditioners, and I hate the LCD type, which requires me to stare at it for several seconds while I’m driving and causes frequent tap mistakes.
However, Subaru’s control system has large buttons and is easy to understand, so you won’t feel any stress while riding.
Since the temperature adjustment is a physical button, you can use the automatic air conditioner and temperature settings alone to control the air conditioning.
I’m also happy that functions such as idling stop, brake hold, and oil temperature can be accessed as shortcuts on the home screen. If I had one request, I would like the car navigation system’s current location display button to be either physical, or placed in the corner where it’s easiest to press.
All you need to do is swap the avatar mark on the far right where AVH and idling stop are lined up, and the icon with a magnifying glass on the map.
Unfortunately, the map on the car navigation system when I move it around a lot . lags
I often move the map to a destination and then select it, or move the map with my finger to check my surroundings while driving.
Every time there is a delay, I get irritated and my satisfaction with the car decreases.
The rear view monitor also comes with an assist line that is linked to the steering angle. Combined with not making full use of the screen size, I get the impression that the images are a bit distorted. Parking will be easy since the original size is not that big. I’m also thankful that I don’t have to worry about scraping my car even if I drive head-on into a curb or step, or even in a fairly steep parking lot.
The shift is a classic straight type. Subaru’s shift is great because the gears are clearly separated from each other and there are fewer mistakes.
Comes with a mode that allows it to be operated as a multi-stage AT with paddle shift. When applying engine braking on a slope, it is best to pull the left paddle several times without touching the shifter each time.
A clean center console. I would have been grateful if there was a charger for my smartphone…
The cup holder is located farther back in the vehicle than I expected, but I didn’t feel stressed even if I was drinking while driving.
The meter is a full LCD, and the UI is sophisticated and easy to read. The metal-based dial background is also cool. It kind of reminds me of the first generation Lexus GS.
It’s a godsend that the turn signal has gone back to the conventional type . Electronic turn signals that go out and don’t come back are cumbersome to operate and take away your attention while driving, so it was truly wonderful to be able to see them off without being distracted by others.
Actual driving impression
The lift has been lifted a little compared to the Levorg, so it feels a little big the moment you get on it, but the original size is compact and the ride is smooth, so you get used to it quickly.
Overall, this layback is a versatile car that can be recommended to both beginners and people who have been driving various cars for many years.
As I said earlier, the oil temperature gauge can be displayed on the navigation system, which is very helpful as it can be used as a guide for warming up the car immediately after starting a ride, and as an indicator of the engine load when driving long distances.
Since it’s a turbo engine, it heats up fairly quickly.
power train
First, we drove through the streets of Tokyo late at night in normal mode.
It starts running at a slight tempo after you step on it, and provides the necessary and sufficient torque.
This space is perfect, and you can operate it comfortably, giving you a sense of comfort and security.
If you press firmly on it, it will accelerate very energetically, but if you press slowly, it will run calmly.
I can recommend it to beginners who have just gotten their driver’s license with confidence, and even experienced riders who have ridden a variety of cars will find comfort in its torque characteristics and sense of security.
The torque characteristics are similar to those of an EV, and whether you’re driving around town or on the highway, it will accelerate as much as you step on it. Starting from a traffic light is particularly comfortable, and you can pick up speed without any problems.
As you step on it, it makes a lively sound and accelerates at just the right pace, not slow but not scary.
The engine sound is pleasant and the pleasant feeling of acceleration continues.
It would be best for situations where you are running continuously at 120 to 160 km/h in the third lane of the Shin-Tomei Expressway.
Although the fuel efficiency is not very good, it is an excellent engine that is easy to handle and is versatile.
You can switch between sport mode and normal mode.
When you set it to sports mode, you can feel the car accelerating rapidly even with the slightest pedal effort, but unfortunately there is still a lag at the moment you press the pedal hard.
This is something I also felt with the WRX S4, where the acceleration when exiting a corner is one tempo behind.
In the power mode of a Toyota hybrid, on the other hand, the motor provides full assist and accelerates quickly even before you take off. It’s frustrating because I’m used to this.
About brakes and tire grip
The brakes give the impression that they are soft when you first press them, but as you continue to press them, they come to a firm stop. It’s nice to see the gentle ride quality that appeals to everyone here.
The front tires hold up well even in the rain, so the limit performance of braking is also very high.
Of course, it will also provide solid support during cornering.
I usually ride a PHV with a lot of torque, so I find it frustrating that when I decelerate, all I can do is convert kinetic energy into heat and dissipate it.
Also, the feeling of deceleration when you release the accelerator is not strong, so you will want to be conscious of using engine braking on long downhills of Hakone and Mt. Fuji.
About ride comfort
The ride quality is such that it moves up and down a little immediately after going over a bump, and then subdues.
It has a movement that eliminates shaking in two round trips, and it is one of the few famous cars that is able to transfer the increase in vehicle height to a comfortable ride .
It moves in the same way as the Forester and XV, and its know-how in suspension design . Subaru has firmly established it feels like
There are quite a lot of SUVs that have a raised ride height, but the ride quality is bumpy and stiff, perhaps due to stability, so Subaru’s supple ride quality shines through.
Even as I drove down the Shuto Expressway late at night in the rain, I never felt anxious.
perfectly balances driving stability and comfort . It is safe to say that it
I thought German cars were too quick to hold back and the legs were too hard for me to drive in Japan, so this was just right for me.
Even if you are traveling at over 160 km/h on the Shin-Tomei Expressway with your family on board, no one will notice unless you show the speedometer.
Even though the vehicle height is raised, stability at high speeds does not decrease. The Forester’s magical ride quality is firmly inherited by the Rayback.
handling
It starts moving slowly and can be operated with light force.
However, there is a sense of unity with the movement of the car, and it has controllability that allows you to control it while feeling the road surface and tire grip conditions.
The front and rear balance is good, with a natural turning feel that is neither under nor over. It’s a nimble move.
If you turn the steering wheel suddenly, it will turn sharply on the spot like the XV. The horizontally-opposed engine is effective, and the front wheel moves smoothly without holding you down or holding you back.
The handling has just the right amount of time, but it’s not dull enough to cause a sense of instability.
Even when you drive at a high pace onto a undulating road surface that can cause the car to lift off the ground, it stays clean and stable.
There is a slight sense of instability, but compared to the Crosstrek, it is negligible.
It is versatile enough to satisfy both those who change the steering angle many times during a curve, and those who clear from entrance to exit without changing the lateral G.
It’s safe for beginners to ride, and even serious riders can enjoy riding it.
However, if you go over a step while turning the steering wheel on a rainy day, it will slip for a moment.
In situations where the road surface is low, I think it’s better not to drive over bumps with such force that you crush the tires with such force that it makes you scream.
About the common style of Subaru cars in recent years
After driving the Layback, I became convinced of what I had felt after driving many Subaru vehicles over the past few years, including the Forester, WRX S4, Crosstrek, XV, and Impreza.
The shock absorber’s movement compensates for the increase in vehicle height by providing a firm stroke and then moving flexibly to the extent that it does not become unstable even when the vehicle is blown away.
Perhaps because the center of gravity of the horizontally opposed engine is low, the front curves smoothly without feeling any weight.
Although it doesn’t get much fuel, the engine accelerates smoothly from low rpm and extends comfortably all the way to high rpm.
The frame is not extremely sturdy, but it is sturdy and not too heavy.
Tires with the highest grip height that will hold your foot firmly even in the rain.
In addition to this, there is also the design and interior design (especially the large navigation system).
Not only the visible parts and design, but also the invisible parts and seasonings, etc., have been successfully turned into general-purpose tools within the manufacturer , and techniques are passed down firmly and know-how is shared. Or rather, it was.
I feel that no matter what I ride, the level of perfection is the same, and I feel like I’ve reached a point where I don’t have any extreme failures.
Although it has largely missed the wave of electrification, reached its final destination as a manufacturer that has been driving gasoline-powered vehicles and rough roads for many years . it may have
That’s what a layback looks like. Would you like to ride it?
Specifications, price, grade
The only grade available is the 1.8L horizontally opposed 4-cylinder turbo Limited EX. The new car price starts at 3.99 million yen.
