Subaru’s new 2020 Levorg Prototype wagon begs the STI question

Sharper and more technology-packed then ever, Subaru’s 2020 Levorg Prototype is a sporty-looking family wagon built on Subaru’s Global Platform introduced in 2017 and powered by a new direct-injection 1.8-liter turbocharged boxer engine. And with that spec sheet on its windshield, the newest iteration of Subaru wagon seems like a car that shouldn’t be kept this far from U.S. dealerships.

Since Subaru Outbacks count for an astounding 85.7 percent of wagon sales in the United States, the Levorg is easy to imagine as a cheaper, sportier alternative. Yet until that moment comes, the Levorg remains Subaru’s mid-size wagon for Japan and Europe only.

Subaru’s latest family hauler will go into production in the second half of 2020 and now comes with a 360-degree EyeSight system featuring stereo cameras behind its windshield in combination with four radars in the front and rear bumpers. Subaru also threw in a high-definition map with a GPS-based vehicle locator, which will proactively reduce speed before going into a curve on the highway and assists hands-free driving in traffic jams.

While it must be said that the current-generation Levorg is only available with a CVT automatic, given the new engine we could imagine Subaru adding a manual gearbox option as well for 2020. After all, the front half of the Levorg—at least the styling—is pretty much what you’ll get as the next WRX, and few things can be as versatile as an all-wheel-drive, turbocharged boxer wagon with a stick shift. One can always hope, but for now, the 2020 Levorg Prototype’s windows remain heavily tinted.