Subaru Leone

Subaru Leone: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Subaru Leone choice depends mainly on body style, drivetrain and transmission. The 1 generation is the option for buyers who want an Estate 5-door, while the 2 generation and 3 generation are listed as Coupe models. In the available specifications, FWD spans all three generations, AWD appears in the 2 generation and 3 generation, and Automatic is offered only in those later generations.

The Subaru Leone choice depends mainly on body style, drivetrain and transmission. The 1 generation is the option for buyers who want an Estate 5-door, while the 2 generation and 3 generation are listed as Coupe models. In the available specifications, FWD spans all three generations, AWD appears in the 2 generation and 3 generation, and Automatic is offered only in those later generations. The engine data range from 1088 cc and 61 hp to 1790 cc and 98 hp. Weight, acceleration, top-speed and fuel-consumption figures are not measured, so they cannot support a responsible comparison.

Subaru Leone generations compared

The 1 generation covers 1971–1981, uses an Estate 5-door body and contains 12 modifications. The listed choices are the 1.0 MT with 62 hp, 1.2 MT with 68 hp, 1.4 MT with 62 hp and 1.6 MT with 68 hp. Every listed version is Gasoline, Manual and FWD. This generation therefore suits a buyer prioritizing the station-wagon body and a straightforward drivetrain choice over Automatic or AWD availability.

The 2 generation covers 1979–1984, has a Coupe body and contains 10 modifications. Its range is considerably broader: 1.2 MT and 1.3 MT versions produce 61 hp, 1.6 MT versions produce 71 hp or 86 hp, 1.6 AT produces 86 hp, and 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT versions produce 80 hp or 82 hp. FWD and AWD are both represented, as are Manual and Automatic gearboxes. It is the generation to examine when drivetrain variety matters more than maximum listed power.

The 3 generation covers 1984–1994, also uses a Coupe body and contains 69 modifications, of which 12 are shown in the supplied data. Every displayed version is named either 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT, but outputs distinguish them: 90 hp, 95 hp or 98 hp. Both FWD and AWD are available, paired with Manual or Automatic gearboxes. Relative to the strongest 2 generation entry at 86 hp, the displayed 3 generation range starts 4 hp higher and reaches 12 hp higher.

Subaru Leone engine specs and version comparison

Repeated names below are separated by power and drivetrain so that each exact database name remains intact.

Duplicate database records with identical names, power and drivetrains are consolidated in the table. Across the 1 generation, power per litre is approximately 57 hp/L for the 1.0 MT, 58 hp/L for the 1.2 MT, 46 hp/L for the 1.4 MT and 43 hp/L for the 1.6 MT. The 1.6 MT nevertheless supplies the highest listed torque in that generation at 118 Nm, which is 25 Nm more than the 1.2 MT and 30 Nm more than the 1.0 MT.

In the 2 generation, the 86 hp 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT reach approximately 54 hp/L. The 71 hp 1.6 MT delivers about 44 hp/L, while the 80 hp and 82 hp 1.8 versions provide about 45 hp/L and 46 hp/L. The 1.2 MT produces about 51 hp/L and is the only listed 3-cylinder Inline engine; the other specified 2 generation engines use 4 cylinders with an Opposite layout.

The 3 generation 1781 cc engine produces approximately 51 hp/L at 90 hp, 53 hp/L at 95 hp and 55 hp/L at 98 hp. Moving from 90 hp to 95 hp adds 5 hp, while moving from 95 hp to 98 hp adds 3 hp. The 95 hp and 98 hp versions both list 140 Nm at 3200 rpm, so the extra 3 hp does not come with an increase in the measured peak-torque figure. The 95 hp and 98 hp engines produce maximum power at 5200 rpm; engine speed for the 90 hp versions is not measured.

Subaru Leone performance, MPG and economy

Acceleration from 0–100, top speed, city fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption and combined fuel consumption are not measured for every listed version. Consequently, no version can be ranked credibly by acceleration, maximum speed or mpg from this dataset.

The 1 generation entries specify 92 fuel, as do the 2 generation 1.2 MT, 86 hp 1.6 MT and 86 hp 1.6 AT. Fuel grade is not measured for the remaining displayed 2 generation versions and all displayed 3 generation versions. CO₂ output and environmental class are also not measured throughout the supplied specifications.

Subaru Leone dimensions, weight and capacity

Kerb weight, gross weight and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed version. A weight-per-horsepower calculation is therefore not possible; power alone should not be treated as proof that one version accelerates better.

Ground clearance is not measured for the 1 generation. Every listed 2 generation version has 175 mm of ground clearance, while every displayed 3 generation version has 170 mm. The 2 generation therefore has 5 mm more measured clearance than the 3 generation.

Fuel-tank capacity is not measured for the 1 generation or 2 generation. Every displayed 3 generation version has a 60-litre tank. Body length, width and height are not measured in the supplied data, so a full Subaru Leone dimensions comparison cannot be made.

Subaru Leone problems, reliability and buying checks

Problems, reliability records, service history, condition and parts prices are not included in the data. No version can therefore be called more reliable, cheaper to maintain or less troublesome. For a car offered for sale, those questions require evidence outside this catalogue specification set. The table can identify the original version’s technical configuration, but it cannot verify an engine swap, engine timing condition, mechanical wear or the condition of an engine bay.

Which Subaru Leone version should you buy?

Choose a 1 generation version when the Estate 5-door body is essential. The 1.2 MT is the strongest power-per-litre choice among its listed engines at approximately 58 hp/L, while the 1.6 MT has the generation’s highest measured torque at 118 Nm. All listed choices are Manual and FWD, so there is no documented Automatic or AWD alternative within this generation.

Choose the 2 generation 1.6 MT with 71 hp when a Coupe with AWD and a 5-speed Manual is the priority without moving to the larger 1790 cc engine. Choose a 1.8 MT with 82 hp for the highest listed output among the generation’s AWD Manual versions. The 1.8 AT with 80 hp is the AWD Automatic option, using a 3-speed Automatic. For FWD, the 86 hp 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT have equal output and displacement; the practical specification choice is between a 5-speed Manual and a 3-speed Automatic.

Choose a 3 generation 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT when the broadest combination of power, transmission and drive is wanted. At each displayed power level, the supplied range includes FWD and AWD, while Manual versions use 5 speeds and Automatic versions use 4 speeds. The 98 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT provide the highest listed output and approximately 55 hp/L. The 95 hp alternatives retain the same measured 140 Nm torque while giving up only 3 hp, making them the closest specification match when maximum catalogue horsepower is not essential.

There is no price data, so the dataset cannot say what any extra purchase cost buys. On specifications alone, the clearest recommendations are the 1 generation 1.6 MT for maximum measured torque in the Estate 5-door range, the 2 generation 1.8 MT with 82 hp for the strongest listed AWD Manual Coupe of its generation, and a 3 generation 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT with 98 hp for maximum listed power. The final choice between FWD and AWD, and between Manual and Automatic, should follow the buyer’s drivetrain preference because fuel economy, performance, weight and reliability differences are not measured.