2010 Subaru Liberty, Outback set for release at Frankfurt
August 7, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Update – 2010 Subaru Liberty
Subaru have today announced the European premiere of its new Legacy (sold as Liberty in Australia) and Outback models will take place at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
The new models show a more evolved look of the current design while also adopting a few new technologies such as Subaru’s new “Lineartronic” CVT automatic transmission, new chassis design with integrated cradle engine mounting system and revamped packaging to afford the cabin more passenger space.
Subaru’s new Boxer Diesel (engine), which was launched last year, will also be available in both models for European consumption along side regular petrol and turbo-petrol offerings.
Engine sizes are as follows with all vehicles to feature Subaru’s highly acclaimed Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive:
- 2.0-litre petrol (four cylinder)
- 2.5-litre petrol (four cylinder)
- 2.5-litre turbo-petrol (four cylinder)
- 2.0-litre trubo-diesel (four cylinder)
Other changes to the fifth-generation Legacy include a longer wheel base (65mm for sedan and 55mm for wagon) while the wheelbase on Outback models grows by 80mm.
Legacy dimensions:
- Sedan: 4730mm (L) x 1780mm (W) x 1505mm (H)
- Sedan: 2750mm (Wheelbase)
- Wagon: 4775mm (L) x 1780mm (W) x 1535mm (H)
- Wagon: 2750mm (Wheelbase)
Fuel efficiency is also said to have improved by as much as 5.9 per cent on sedan models and 6.9 per cent on wagon models when equipped with Subaru’s new CVT transmission.
The fourth-generation Outback on the other hand receives a redeisgned exterior for “greater presence”, renwed cabin comfort levels and features.
Outback engine sizes are as follows:
- 2.5-litre petrol (four cylinder)
- 2.0-litre turbo diesel (four cylinder)
- 3.6-litre petrol (six cylinder)
Outback dimensions:
- Wagon: 4775mm (L) x 1820mm (W) x 1605mm (H)
- Wagon: 2745mm (Wheelbase)
Print it: 
Fellow bloggers, a new Subaru release is almost upon us. And we all know what that means. Gentlemen! Fugly goggles…ON!
But seriously…the angle of the A-pillar on the Liberty…all wrong. The headlights: no. The rear bumper is really dumpy looking too. It looks like it has crapped its pants and is on the way home to change.
OMG…..Just like BMW Subaru designers have lost the plot and they have no one in the company with the balls to say something!!!
The head lamp shape is a huge down grade from current.
The fog lamp and bumper is fine… but the head lamp shape is goofy!
the rear bumper for the wagon looks okay, not an improvement from current. the sedan however, yes it looks a bit wide towards the end. It needs to take shape to euro cars today, basically wide near the rear wheel arc then it gets slight narrower, the shape should not be that it looks “droopy” towards the side.
the A-pillar??
Its not bad…
I should buy the curretn Liberty STI, as it seems to be the best looking sedan for the money at the market!
Dont actually mind the look of the new sedan
Lukaas, yes the current upper spec Liberties look really good. Up until this announcement, the Liberty was the last decent looking car Subaru had. At least if everyone complains, Subaru is weak-willed enough to release a redesigned model next year
Huge back-side on the sedan – contours are all wrong.
Bugger, you’d think after 8 or so years of the current model they could have come up with something better than this.
And Subaru continues on its epic quest to build the automotive world’s ugliest lineup. The old Liberty was a much better looking car, really quite elegant and restrained.
I find it amusing that the Forester is now the most physically attractive vehicle they sell.
One word….FUGLY
The brand has always been wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy OVER-RATED, now not only is it that, but its VERY FUGLY too boot.
Well done subaru, turned a ugly brand even into a MORE fugly brand, must take some real skill!
Well i suppose as you can keep fooling wood ducks the scam can continue….
Buy even a Proton or Skoda before this brand, yeah, that BAD
CAN SEE IT NOW:
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I think they look quite good, will never win a design of the year award, but as far as mid size sedans/wagons go, they are quite attractive. The styling seems to suite the outback wagon the most I would say!!!
Christ CarAdvice, surely you could’ve sourced some higher res images
R32, I am with you…
Heaps of pics at subaru.co.jp
Just wanted to say that these cars are Butt Fugly. Thats all.
First the fcuked up the Impreza and now they fcuked up the Liberty too. What the hell is wrong with Subaru?
I’d like to meet the guy who’s been designing subaru vehicles for the past 5 years and smack him in the mouth. As far as I’m concerned his destroyed the subaru brand. It was my favorite brand, now Id rather take a Hyundai sonata then this new liberty.
I am sorry, but anyone who has ever bought a Subaru has not bought it for looks. It really is time to get past it. I am not sure Subaru is even capable of building a ‘good looking’ car, but they will still sell whatever they make because drivers just like them. It is that simple.
Well that does it then.
They made the only decent looking car in their entire range ugly.
The designers job is done…..
Sorry to dissapoint most of the critics here…
But I actually saw a truck load on the M7 of Liberty Sedans, Outbacks and Liberty wagons and they looked good in the flesh.
Actually a Black Liberty Sedan looked really sensational!!!
as the owner of current liberty GTB, I am happy to see my cars value is going to hold for a while.
Thanks Subaru :)
Oh come on it’s alright! My only negatives are the headlights – they are too big and devoid of character. I’m glad our one is different to the US one – the orange highlights in the headlamps and non-folding (not even manually) really make it an awful car.
I’d like a GT Wagon with roof-rails in grey please. With the big wheels though (and get rid of the multispokes!)…
sigh..
wat.. an.. ugly.. car..
being a currently owner of liberty gtb tuned by STi, i am happy i did not wait for this new model..
and yes.. i can see the value of my car holding on for much longer..
I wonder if it is heavier because visually it is heavier.
A great pity for in older models the Outback was the most lithe wagon they did. (does search for old model Outback…)
I’m beginning to think that there’s no such thing as a good looking Subaru…
Jake02, your visual senses have been quite heavily blunted by the aesthetic onslaught that is Skoda ownership. We won’t hold that against you. However, accept that you are not qualified to comment on a vehicle’s attractiveness and just sit this one out buddy.
It seems most coments are that subaru has made a step
backwards in aesthetic design,and i tend to agree,but
the more i look at them they’re slowly growing on me.
I think they will look better in the flesh and people will
buy them because of subaru attributes such as AWD,5 star
safety and build quality.
With more interior space,better transmissions,more
efficient engines and diesels it is a better vehicle
all round and im sure will sell strongly.
Aesthetic Referee: That is GOLD! Sorry Jake02, but he is right :-)
This will be like almost all Subaru’s, ugly in photo’s, better in the flesh, and despite everyone’s opinions it’ll still sell more than the previous model. Despite Subaru’s best efforts and the recession, Impreza sales are up over last year in the US. As long as Subaru’s maintain their reliability and focus on safety and decent driving dynamics, they’ll sell.
The previous shape liberty was a timeless design, well proportioned and still fresh years later.
I doubt this will age well.
It looks like they forgot to take all the bulky camouflague off the test vehicles
Tom, the Impreza and the Forester ranked last and third last, respectively, in Wheels Magazine’s most recent active safety tests (out of a field of 13 vehicles). Subaru’s more sports-focused models may have excellent dynamics, but the ones everyone is actually buying are nothing special at all in this department.
Tom, I tend to agree with you – they will probably sell more, however, having had 18 Foresters in the work fleet I cannot agree with your summation re: reliability. We had 6 with ongoing niggly problems and 3 with major probs over their 18 month lease. The cars were sourced over a 12 month period so can’t blame “a bad bunch”.
On topic – butt ugly, IMO. Should have refreshed the current Liberty and updated mechanicals if/where necessary.
“Other changes to the fifth-generation Legacy include a longer wheel base (65mm for sedan and 55mm for wagon) while the wheelbase on Outback models grows by 80mm.”
Much clearer. Thanks
Very nice post.Looking very great……..
Not happy Jan.
Anyone care to make an offer on MY05 2.5 50klm premium?
I’m thinking of moving to VW Passat CC.
Pic Res awfull but maybe that’s a good thing.
Even the current Forester looks better than this.
Every time you park you know you are going to think~WHY?
I don’t care if it never breaks down I would have to live with it.
The current model gets away with a dreary nose because the side,rear and hips are right.
Unless you drive the new model with dark sunglasses at night at new moon then you are saying to the world.
Now matter what shape they make I’ll buy it.
Take a stand!! I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore. AHHHH!
I saw a whole truck full of these heading up north from Port Kembla harbour yesterday… So they are here already
The new models are in all dealerships now, although I haven’t yet seen the GT version. Like most people, I saw these as a real ugly model, but in the flesh they are much better. The black sports versions are great! Rear is beautiful, inside is terrific, side is good. Handling is superb! They will sell well, just like all their models, once everyone has simmered down. As the advertisement says, “If you knew, you’d be in a Subaru too!” In saying all this, I am waiting for a model which is actually really sporty and pleasing to the eye, rather than a car that everyone has to grow on.