Efficiency oriented wagons are a rarity in Australia, with few entries from only a handful of manufacturers. Subaru continues to contribute to this area of interest house, with their newest instance the WRX Sportswagon tS. It’s a really worthy providing certainly.
Previously often called the Levorg (a reputation it’s going to retain in Japan), the WRX Sportswagon vary is made up of a base mannequin, a mid-spec GT and the vary topping tS, examined right here. Sure, you learn that appropriately, decrease case t, higher case S. Bizarre we all know, nevertheless it’s not the primary time.
Just like the WRX sedan, there’s a trio of selection, with the GT coming geared up with extras akin to satellite tv for pc navigation, a sunroof, leather-based seats, heated entrance and rear seats and ambient lighting.
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The vary topper good points electronically managed dampers, extra drive modes and suede upholstery. However what makes the Sportswagon stand out, even from its sedan sibling is the shortage of black cladding used as a physique equipment of types, on that mannequin.
As an alternative, the wagon is sharp and seamless, with aggressive seems to be. Positive it nonetheless has just a few black items on the entrance bumper and rear diffuser, nevertheless it isn’t excessive just like the sedan. Flared fenders make it look wider too, though this can be a little bit of an phantasm.
The Sportswagon is definitely narrower and longer than the sedan. Inside, you’re handled to the identical inside you’ll discover on the sedan, which isn’t actually a lot completely different to the earlier fashions, save for the massive 11.6-inch infotainment unit.
Setup in a everlasting portrait format and skirted by vertical air vents, this new unit is a a lot wanted improve for the Sportswagon, and options inbuilt satellite tv for pc navigation that’s a breeze to make use of.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work properly right here too, though there’s a little bit of wasted actual property, as solely the highest portion of the display screen is utilised. Leather-based seats with suede upholstery and purple stitching, together with a good quantity of bucketing, make up the primary row.
Leather-based trims on the doorways are additionally a welcome contact, apart from the faux-carbon trims surrounding the door handles which cheapened the expertise. Sadly, the headlining remains to be gray, which is an actual disgrace (except after all you want gray).
You’ll spend a while trying as much as make changes to your sunroof, which by the best way is kind of small by as we speak’s requirements, and nonetheless has a manually opened and closed cowl. We hope you want gray. Okay we’ll shut up in regards to the headlining now.
The cabin is roomy and sensible, with loads of headroom and legroom for tall occupants. Seat heating is out there for each entrance seats in addition to each outboard rear seats. There’s 492-litres of boot house with the second row up, and 1,430-litres with it down.
Underneath the hood, Subaru have upgraded the Sportswagon with the identical new 2.4-litre turbocharged boxer powerplant you’ll discover within the WRX sedan and BRZ. Nonetheless, you gained’t discover a 6-speed handbook transmission right here, no matter trim stage.
The drivetrain is solely very good. It’s an enormous enchancment on the powerplants which have gone earlier than it, notably when it comes to efficiency. The bigger displacement engine outputs 202kW of energy and 350Nm of torque to all 4 wheels.
That is mated to Subaru’s new 8-speed Sports activities Lineartronic CVT transmission. It’s truthful to say that is the perfect CVT we’ve ever skilled. Sure, it nonetheless seems like a CVT gearbox, with a lot of rev dangle, however you’ll solely actually discover this within the decrease gears.
After third gear, it feels extra like a dual-clutch transmission, and an excellent one at that. The mix delivers a claimed gas financial system of 8.5-litres/100km, though we might solely handle 10.4-litres/100km.
Fanatics will rejoice too, as driveability is superb within the Sportswagon. Dealing with is great, and with the addition of digital damper controls, you’ll be able to even have the softest suspension settings paired with the sharp engine responsiveness of Sport mode.
The powertrain carries loads of torque and energy, rocketing the automobile ahead to 100km/h in about 6.0-seconds. What you will see although, due to the 225/45 tyres on the wagon, is understeer in laborious cornering, and a little bit of physique roll.
And since it’s an auto, Subaru’s floor breaking security tech options within the Sportswagon tS, together with auto emergency braking, emergency steering, adaptive cruise, lane-keep help with centring, signal recognition and auto excessive beam.
For these lugging their little ones round, there’s ISOFIX anchor factors on the 2 outboard rear seats and three top-tether mounts for youngster seats. It does make for a wonderful household automobile, regardless of feeling a little bit cramped with a rear-facing child seat.
So for those who’re on the lookout for the right household automobile, however don’t need an SUV, the WRX Sportswagon is the right mix of practicality and efficiency. Its predominant competitor is the Skoda Octavia RS at $56,490, however there’s one thing about Japanese reliability that wins us over.
This reviewer could be very happy to exchange the previous Levorg in our storage with the brand new WRX Sportswagon tS, and that claims rather a lot. To leap into one, you’ll must spend $57,990 plus on-roads. Take a look at Subaru Australia’s web site for more information.
As at all times, we advocate procuring round for deal, or you’ll be able to go to PriceMyCar for the perfect worth. When you want finance, chat to CreditOne. All WRX variants are backed by Subaru’s 5-year limitless kilometre guarantee.
Our 2022 Subaru WRX Sportswagon tS was provided by Subaru Australia. To seek out out extra, contact your native Subaru seller. Footage courtesy of Brakefast Media.
