The significance of the 2021 Subaru Levorg is twofold. First, it previews what the next WRX and STI are going to look like. And two, it emphasizes that while station wagons sell other places, automakers are too wary of the US to give them a try here. Yes, the 2021 Subaru Levorg will not be sold in the US. But it’s a terrific-looking wagon we wish were coming here. Instead, it will be available in Japan next year.

The Levorg is an entirely new car based on Subaru’s Global Platform first seen on the Impreza. One thing we like about how Subaru rolls is that in the last few years what is premiered as a concept becomes the production version. The concept was shown last year. While certain features were slightly exaggerated on the concept, this is awfully close to it. 

We like that Subaru retained the recognizable WRX-style hood scoop

A number of companies are choosing to go with irregular wheel arches. When the Studebaker Avanti did it in 1963 they were called “reentry” wheel openings. While they follow little of other design elements on the body we still like them. We also like that Subaru retained the recognizable WRX-style hood scoop for the STI Sport model.

If you’re familiar with some of the larger Subarus then the dash will look familiar. It’s not identical but the vertical touchscreen is as it is straight from the Legacy. There is another screen for the instrument panel. We expect that this will all be found in the WRX once it is out.

Power for the Levorg comes from the “CB18” 1.8-liter turbocharged flat-four

Power for the Levorg comes from the “CB18” 1.8-liter turbocharged flat-four. It is an all-new engine for Subaru but is not expected to be in the WRX. That’s because it is down 100 hp from the previous WRX. It churns out 175 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque and is backed by the Lineartronic CVT transmission. That trans is mostly featuring completely new parts. All-wheel-drive is standard on all models.

So much is all-new with the Levorg and that includes Subaru’s new-generation EyeSight suite of driver assistance systems. Offered standard on all Levorg models in Japan, it includes 360-degree sensing offering improved practicality in real-world driving. Subaru also offers the EyeSight X suite adding high-precision 3D map data enabling Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capability.

The Levorg STI Sport is the most likely to mimic the WRX and STI

The Levorg STI Sport is the most likely to mimic the WRX and STI. According to leaked plans, Subaru will unveil the WRX later in 2021 and the STI about one year later. Those dates might have been altered due to COVID-19.