Analysing the DNA of the Subaru Levorg neatly exposes the complex, contrasting characteristics that make up one of Japan’s smaller but most intriguing carmakers.

Most famous for its utter dominance in world-class rallying with Banbury’s Prodrive team scoring six World Rally Championship titles in 20 years, Subaru developed into one of the world’s most widely recognised and evocative automotive brands.

But while the metallic blue, gold-wheeled bling of the outrageous WRC cars was Subaru’s most recognisable trademark, the company was also quietly producing some exceptional all-wheel-drive estate cars which proved an instant hit with the country set.

The first Subaru I ever drove, back in 1990, left a lasting impression, not least because I jumped behind the wheel and immediately drove it more than 650 miles to the Western Highlands of Scotland. The marathon trip in the original Legacy remains a high point in the memory, not least for the reassuring feel of solidity, safety and comfort that the estate car delivered as we sailed effortlessly northwards through the night.

That rock-solid feeling of reliability is alive and well and imbues every element of Subaru’s latest sleek, low-riding tourer, the Levorg. This well-built, classy 21st-century estate, with a quality interior and a level of technology that simply didn’t exist back in the 1990s, carries forward the spirit of a car designed for a driver looking for something out of the ordinary.

Firm suspension means the ride on poor roads can be a tad unforgiving, but on a half-decent surface the Levorg transforms into a long-distance luxury cruiser.

A spiritual successor to the much loved fourth-generation Subaru Legacy Tourer, the Levorg is available in a single GT trim level.

Leather sports seats are trimmed with blue stitching, and more leather is lavished around the cabin, including the door trims, centre console and on top of the dashboard, which houses a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment, connectivity and navigation system.

Everyone in the car enjoys greater leg, head and shoulder room than in the last Legacy Tourer, and the boot provides loads of carrying space.

Power comes from a 1.6-litre petrol engine, which has been turbocharged to produce the same performance as Subaru’s existing 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated unit. Subaru says the horizontally-opposed, four-cylinder engine ‘boxer’ engine – so-called due to the engine’s pistons resembling the punch-counterpunch motion of a boxer’s fists – was engineered specifically for the Levorg, delivering a thumping 170 horsepower and greater efficiency than its existing engines. A semi-automatic transmission, complete with steering wheel-mounted paddle gearshifters, delivers power seamlessly.

A touch of a switch on the steering wheel allows you to toggle between intelligent mode and sport mode.

Technology onboard includes blind spot detection, which alerts drivers to cars in their blind spot; lane change assist, which warns drivers of fast-approaching vehicles behind when the driver indicates to change lane; and rear cross traffic alert, which detects vehicles passing behind when reversing out of a parking space.

There’s also auto on-off LED headlamps and rain-sensing wipers, to keyless access and push-button start, dual-zone air-conditioning and a rear parking camera.

Meanwhile, Subaru’s link to Oxfordshire continues with former British Touring Car champion Jason Plato, who lives near Oxford, driving a Levorg in this year’s touring car series.

Auto facts

  • Model: Subaru Levorg 1.6i GT Lineartronic
  • Price: £26,660
  • Insurance group: 24E
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 39.8mpg
  • Top speed: 130mph
  • Length: 469cm/184.6in
  • Width: 178cm/70in
  • Luggage capacity: 18.4 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 gallons/60 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 164g/km
  • Warranty: Five years/100,000 miles