Update - Subaru Liberty Review
Twenty years ago a small Japanese car company, Subaru, brought the Liberty (better known in other countries as Legacy) to Australia, since then the all-wheel-drive sedan and wagon has established a name for it self as one of the best Japanese family cars around.
Two decades later and into itse fifth generation, the MY10 Subaru Liberty will go on sale this week with a whole new look, increased safety, a new choice of engines and gearboxes, plus better fuel economy and lower emissions.
The new wagon is 65mm longer, 50mm wider, 65mm higher and the wheelbase is up 80mm meanwhile the sedan is 80mm longer and higher.
The soon to be released Liberty is based on a new platform and hence not only offers better safety, but also more room with a wider and longer cabin.
There is now a 30mm increase in width between the front seats and 68mm in length between the front and rear seats. Additionally rear legroom is up 99mm and rear shoulder room by 62mm.
Cabin space aside, there are a whole heap of new features as well including an ECO gauge to encourage more fuel efficient driving, Lineartronic CVT transmission and the introduction of a 3.6-litre horizontally opposed six-cylinder boxer engine, the biggest ever offered in a Liberty.
Although a five-star safety rating seems to be rather common these days, apart from dual front, side and curtain, the new Liberty goes the extra step with the addition of a driver’s knee airbag and an engine “cradle” that will fold to absorb energy in heavy frontal collisions.
Additional features include an electric parking brake across the range while dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, Keyless access and push button start are available on premium variants. A reversing camera is also standard for all variants equipped with SatNav.
Prices start at $33,990 for the 2.5i and top of at $52,990 for the GT Premium, and while no variant has increased in price, some have actually dropped by as much as 7.8 per cent.
The 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine has 123kW at 5600rpm and 229Nm at 4000rpm, while the turbocharged variant puts out 195kW at 5600rpm and 350Nm at 2400rpm. The range topping 3.6-litre engine, similar to the one found in the Tribeca, has 191kW and 350Nm.
CarAdvice will soon bring you a First Steer and Review of the new Subary Liberty range.
Fuel Efficiency:
Liberty 2.5i manual : 8.9L/100km
Liberty 2.5i CVT: 8.4L/100km
Liberty 2.5i GT manual: 9.8L/100km
Liberty 2.5i GT auto: 9.7L/100km
Liberty 3.6R auto-only: 10.3L/100km
Model feature list:
Liberty 2.5i
Safety
- ABS anti-lock brakes with four-wheel discs and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Automatic transmission lock-out – need foot on brake, key in ignition “on” position, to release electronic parking brake
- Brake Assist
- Child seat anchor points
- Curtain airbags – full length
- Driver’s knee airbag
- Dual front airbags
- Dual front side airbags
- Engine cradle – helps isolate the engine from the passenger cabin in heavy crash
- Fog lights – front
- Front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Double pretensioners on driver’s seatbelt
- Hill start assist
- Rear bumper reflectors
- Rear door child lock
- Seatbelt indicator lights – all seats
- Side intrusion bars
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
- Three-point A/ELR rear centre seatbelt
- Vehicle Dynamics Control electronic stability program
Interior
- Climate control air conditioning – dual zone
- Cargo area light
- Cargo security blind – wagon only
- Centre-through rear seat – sedan only
- Cup holders
- Electric parking brake
- Height and reach adjustable steering column
- Height adjustable driver’s seat
- Immobiliser security system
- Leather trim gear shift (manual)
- Lineartronic CVT transmission option
- Map lights (2)
- Leather steering wheel with audio and cruise control buttons
- MP3/WMA compatible audio system
- Multi-function trip computer
- Paddle shift gear change (auto)
- Power steering, mirrors and windows
- Rear illumination LED instrument display
- Rear seats auto fold function in wagons
- Rear seats recline function in wagons
- Remote central locking
- Remote fuel lid release
- Seatback storage nets
- Six-speed manual transmission option
- Six-stacker in-dash CD player, MP3/WMA, AUX jack with six speakers
- Sports seats
- Two remote central locking keys
- Vanity mirror
- 60/40 split/fold rear seat – wagon only
Exterior
- 17-inch alloy wheels – large steel temporary spare
- Chrome-surround grille
- Colour-coded mirrors and door handles
- Headlights auto off
- Privacy glass (rear)
- Rear roof spoiler – wagon only
- Rear wiper – wagon only
Other features
- DataDot security technology
- Electronic throttle control
- Sedan auto boot release on key; unlock tailgate on wagon
- Three-year unlimited kilometre warranty
- 2.5 litre SOHC horizontally opposed boxer engine – 123 Kilowatts of power at 5600 rpm and 229 Newtonmetres of torque at 4000 rpm.
Liberty 2.5i Premium adds:
- Electric sunroof
- Leather trim
- Lineartronic CVT-only
- Power driver seat – eight-way adjustable with dual memory and lumbar support
- Rear air vents
Liberty 2.5i Premium with SatNav adds:
- Bluetooth enabled with voice recognition
- DVD/CD player (single disc)
- Reversing camera
- Satellite navigation – factory fitted
- Three-pin RCA jack
Liberty 2.5i Sports adds (to 2.5i):
- Alloy pedals
- Bilstein suspension
- Carbon fibre-type dashboard and door trim highlights
- Leather door trim inserts
- Lineartronic CVT-only
- Sports bumper and grille
- Xenon HID self-levelling low-beam headlights with washers
- 18-inch alloy wheels – full size steel temporary spare
Liberty 2.5i Sports Premium adds (to 2.5i Sports):
- Electric sunroof
- Leather trim
- Power driver’s seat – eight-way adjustable with dual memory and electronic lumbar support
Liberty 2.5i Sports Premium with SatNav adds:
- Bluetooth enabled
- DVD/CD (single disc)
- McIntosh sound system
- Power passenger seat
- Reversing camera
- Rear vents
- Satellite navigation – factory fitted
- Three-pin RCA jack
Liberty 2.5i GT Premium with SatNav:
- Alloy pedals
- Bluetooth enabled
- Choice of five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission
- Dual exhaust
- Dusk-sensing headlights – auto on/off
- DVD/CD (single disc)
- Electric sunroof
- Engine cover
- Leather trim
- McIntosh sound system
- Power driver’s seat – eight-way adjustable – and electronic lumbar support
- Power passenger seat
- Rain-sensing auto windscreen wipers
- Rear air vents
- Reversing camera
- Satellite navigation – factory fitted
- SI-Drive
- Smart key access and push button start
- Sports front bumper and grille
- Three-pin RCA jack
- Turbocharged engine produces 195kW of power at 5600 rpm and 350 Newtonmetres of torque at 2400 rpm
- Xenon HID headlights with washers
- 18-inch alloy wheels – full size steel temporary spare
Liberty 3.6R Premium with SatNav (sedan-only):
- Bluetooth enabled
- DVD/CD (single disc)
- Dual exhaust
- Dusk-sensing headlights – auto on/off
- Electric sunroof
- Engine cover
- Five-speed automatic transmission-only
- Leather trim
- McIntosh sound system
- Power driver’s seat – eight-way adjustable – and electronic lumbar support
- Power passenger seat
- Rain-sensing auto windscreen wipers
- Rear air vents
- Reversing camera
- Satellite navigation – factory fitted
- SI-Drive
- Smart key access and push button start
- Six-cylinder engine produces 191 kW of power at 5600 rpm and 350 Nm at 4400 rpm.
- Three-pin RCA jack
- Wood-type dashboard and door highlights
- Xenon HID headlights with washers
- 18-inch alloy wheels – full size steel temporary spare
Pricing (all manufacturer recommended price):
Liberty 2.5i manual sedan $33,990
Liberty 2.5i Lineartronic CVT sedan $36,490
Liberty 2.5i manual wagon $35,990
Liberty 2.5i Lineartronic CVT wagon $38,490
Liberty 2.5i Sports Lineartronic CVT sedan $39,490
Liberty 2.5i Sports Lineartronic CVT Premium sedan $43,490
Liberty 2.5i Sports Premium Lineartronic CVT SatNav sedan $46,990
Liberty 2.5i Sports Lineartronic CVT wagon $41,490
Liberty 2.5i Sports Lineartronic CVT Premium wagon $45,490
Liberty 2.5i Sports Premium Lineartronic CVT SatNav wagon $48,990
Liberty 2.5i Premium Lineartronic CVT sedan $39,990
Liberty 2.5i Premium Lineartronic CVT SatNav sedan $42,490
Liberty 2.5i Premium Lineartronic CVT wagon $41,990
Liberty 2.5i Premium Lineartronic CVT SatNav wagon $44,490
Liberty 2.5 GT Premium manual SatNav sedan $52,990
Liberty 2.5 GT Premium auto SatNav sedan $54,990
Liberty 2.5 GT Premium manual SatNav wagon $54,990
Liberty 2.5 GT Premium auto SatNav wagon $56,990
Liberty 3.6R Premium auto SatNav sedan $51,990
What’s another word for ugly?
SKODA
Hahaha, spot on
Smokin’ I guess you drive a R32 going by your nick, are you agreeing to the bagging of fellow VAG product?!?
Id say judging by his name its most likely a R32 skyline.
G6ETurbo,
Whats another word for ” I cant afford one ”
Dick …. you drive a ford!
Its the part Toyota ownership coming through ni the design I think
I saw one of these on the weekend, and I have to say it actually doesn’t look all that bad, though not as good as the previous generation.
I have to say I saw one last Sunday, and it look every bit as ugly, from every possible angle.
Maybe that’s why the TV commercial is at night, so you can’t see how ugly the car is.
Ha, agreed. I’d be waiting for another car to come and pick me up to if I was that guy stranded on the roadside.
This has come at the perfect time. My MY07 wagon lease runs out in January and I’m looking for the next car. I might go take one for a drive… I’d like to try the diesel too.
who cares what it looks like, if this drives anything like the one I drove, I certainly wouldn’t knock one back. I had the pleasure of driving a manual 3.0 libery up the Galston gorge. It made mince meat of the tight corners. I’d loved to see how the 3.6 goes.
Yeah it actually looks fairly good in the metal. I dont know what everyone is complaining about.
Agree with all the comments regarding how it looks in real life. It’s actually quite stunning in appearance and well proportioned. The headlights which stand out in all of the photos just blend in with an integrated look in the metal.
i think the Australian spec version looks great compared to the US-Spec. This looks awesome, and i caught a glimpse of one at Subaru of Wollongong, and it looked even better.
saw one and i decided to sit in it. looks quit good outside and inside but why would they encourage fuel efficient driving? if i had a awd and especially if it had a turbo definitly would not be driving fuel efficiently
Carfanatic: You don’t care what it looks like?
Surely when purchasing a car, aesthetics come into play some how. Ofcourse the feeling behind the wheel is ultimate decision maker but at first glance, the MY10 looks like it was squashed between two Buses, maybe those Scalloped headlights are to blame. No wonder Subie’s new commercial depicts the car in the Dark. Even they know they’re going to have to soften the the General consumer up to the new direction of styling!
Ofcourse, I will wait to see it in the flesh as that may change my mind but gosh. Subaru haven’t done themselves any favors with their new styling direction. The styling may be cohesive on this one (unlike the Impreza) but the proportions are all wrong in my opinion!
Now see, had I never driven one before, I might totally blank this car, but that is not the case, so Aestetics doesn’t come into it anymore. Plenty of people bought WRX’s despite them beng Dingo Ugly.
When did Picasso start designing cars? They say good art is something that makes you feel something. Hate, love, Sadness ect. Looking at Subaru I feel dizzy and sick. Much the way you feel after getting off a show ride after 6 hot dogs. Try looking at the headlight with out going cross eyed.
Pleeeaaassseeeee Subaru. You make such awesome performance cars. Make them look as good as they drive.
I guess their sales figures will tells us whether we are right or wrong.
I had to do a double-take when I saw one drive past. I think it’s uglier than the last version by far but perhaps better performance. Again will polarise Suby fans. The Forrester is the best Suby left … if that says much ?? If history tells us anything it’s that smooth curves (if done right) will stand the test of time whereas harsh lines (ala ‘European styling’) age badly. I’m gonna look for some second hand GT wagons.
Dear Mr Salesman, you must be one fat basterd to eat 6 hot dogs, I assume you meant that you had eaten them anyway.
Just joking Salesy, hows life at Kia, those Sportages are looking like good value at the moment.
Oh yeah, I agree with your comments regarding the looks of these things.
My local Subaru dealer has had a wagon and sedan of this new model in for the last couple weeks as “display” models. So far, I’m undecided on the styling. Looks kinda like a GS Lexus from the rear (for the sedan) and the front.. well; its interesting, to say the least.
Still needs the biggest wheels you can get though, theres a lotta metal on this car.
I might drive a wagon in GT and 3.6 , looks ugly but ugly can be good ;-)
Sorry, its just all wrong. Their design language isn’t going very well at the moment.
Looks agressive!
I think the previous model looks much better
does Mazda spring to mind?? that was my first impression before seeing the suby badge.
Agree with Bucks – the bulk of Suby’s marketing pics are either in dark colours to soften the ridiculous size of those headlights or rear end shots (they must think its back end is less offensive than the front).
The sweeping grin of the headlight & grille combo is at odds with the lines of the rest of the front end. Looks like an Epica with an overdose of Botox.
I’m shopping for a SUV or wagon for the family & really wanted to like the new Liberty but not with those looks. Hopefully Suby’s will bring forward their facelift but I will have probably bought a new car by then.
& why no 3.6 Liberty wagon?
“Looks like an Epica with an overdose of Botox.”
That’s the best definition for it. Coulnd’t think of anything better. Congrats.
The previous generation Liberty/Legacy (BL/BP) was a beautiful car, with timeless, almost ‘germanic’ in design. I even prefer the pre-facelift version.
Only thing wrong with the car is no reach adjustable steering wheel. That’s it.
This Liberty, though it looks more expensive, more big (sic), more glamorous, is a little too chintzy for my liking.
Designers should know that to make a good, lasting design, is not as easy as ‘stretching’ your headlights and putting chrome bits on your car.
Like many other people who have commented here, I’m getting tired of the huge headlights look recently shown on modern cars.. Epica, most Lexus (with each generation, the headlights seem to get closer to windscreen), and various other cars.
Subaru has lost it ever since 2006.. the koala nose Impreza, the ugly hatch, the Exiga, and now this.
They are still a manufacturer I admire for their engineering and performance, but certainly not for aesthetics (which I know they’re never reknown for anyway).
Our 2 local dealers have the full range of sedan and wagons in stock in both Liberty and Outback. They look fantastic in the metal. The interior finish is first class. They can even fit passengers in the back when a tall person sits in the front. And the best bit? The 3.6 drives great. Forget the pictures and the negative comments, get down to a dealership and see for yourself. I think Suberu is onto a winner. Its actualy a family sized sports car now.
I’m sorry Subaru, I’ve tried, I’ve really tried to like your current styling direction. Ok, so I whinced a bit when the new Impreza was released but I kept my hopes up, I mean lightning never strike twice, right? And the Tribeca…well, ok, that one hurt, I had to sit down for a while after that. But then the Forester turned up and it looked good! I was back on my feet and smiling, yeah that smile strained a bit whenever the Impreza or tribeca turned up, but at least I could point at the Forester as not looking like the offspring of some backwoods redneck inbreeding.
But then you guys go and do this to the Liberty. The shining light that is Subaru has been shattered by the hammer of ugly.
For god’s sake guys, can you at least try to design a good looking car?? Please, for the love of all that’s good and right in the world, stop showing me cars that make me question my sanity.
well said scott
I saw one of these this morning on New South Head Road in Bellevue Hill, i was surprised to see it but even more so to see that it actually looks really good in the metal
Just go and drive one, like I said once you have fanged one of these around a few corners, you won’t care what it looks like on the outside.
They should have atleast kept the pillarless doors. Since Toyota gain a share in Fuji, Subaru has lost a lot of what makes it unique…
How so, Toyota doesn’t have majority voting rights in Fuji yet, Subaru still has independence
From the rear the short boot on the sedan makes it look a little like a Chrysler Sebring.
All I can say is that from the front they have made it look like it was already in an accident.
And check out the website and the lower spec and higher spec front bumpers are delineated by a little more black vinyl to make it look like bigger air vents.
ARGGGG.
This thing is cynical marketing spoiling a fine driving chassis.
Bloody shame.
Well… It was not a surprise at all.. the new car has toyota written all over it..
Look at it this way, if I was CEO of subaru in the middle of biggest financial crisis, will i fork out extra dollars to redesign a brand new car of use my bigger share holders existing platform and part to design a car that looks newish with better equipment ?
Subaru need previous gen models to bring them upto the market, previous liberty marked the start of it.. followed by MY05 impreza, MY06-07 Impreza was step in wrong direction although the quality under the cover was still intact.
If you have sat in one of the newer impreza’s you will know what I mean. As a previous owner of my05 impreza I didn’t like it a single bit.
This year in feb I bought Liberty GTB as I knew that subaru are going to screwing liberty as well. Since the leaked images started surfacing from march I knew I made the right choice.
I think today’s release has just appreciated my cars value :), so thanks subaru!
give current model couple of years and subaru will respond with restyled front provided if they still think like subaru and not like toyota.
BTW I drove one of these last weekend, and I find it too bulky (I drove GT auto). it is not as agile as my current car.. period!
If you were CEO of Subaru, You ruined this great company and you will bankrupt yourself.
And also you will be homeless and all your family member and relatives hate you.
Then people call you “Dick Head”, that’s for sure.
Tack, you seem to think your observations are validated. How do you explain Subaru’s continual growth for over more than a decade? What are your thoughts regarding a brand that has expanded it’s market share while most other brands have suffered hugely? You obviously have no idea of what it takes to make a brand like Subaru perform exceptionally well year in and year out, both here in Australia and globally. Maybe keep your delusional comments to yourself while you brush up on your English..
Toyota had no influence in this car, Toyota merely have a financial holding in Subaru and one that has benefited Subaru through Toyota’s buying power. Subaru is still a wholly independent company when it comes to decisions. THis is just money in the bank for Toyota.
Yeah its stupid the way some people come to conclusion.. but it happens all the time.
Toyota only owns 20~21% of the shares. Subaru has Toyota ties… but they act independently… they DO work together working on projects but again… styling, engineering are seperate entities.
Besides, it does look better in the metal… not as handsome as previous… but its one for the actual buyer and dealership visitor as opposed to the keyboard-armed critics.
And if Toyota DID have an input on styling, it’ll look more like Lexus.. with the front bumper lower air dam area swooping towards the middle with a slight angle. It’ll have a high waist towards the back and an angled inwards/downward styled headlamps…. this one is an interesting and mixed styled vehicle thats for sure.
Test drove the new Liberty Sports Premium today with the new CVT transmission. I have to say I have mixed feelings about the new Liberty. The styling is so-so, I do prefer the look of the Mazda 6 but the new Liberty kills it for interior space. The interior itself is quite nice, no real complaints there. As for the drive, it’s very quiet and handles very well. It’s the most neutral handling Subaru I’ve ever driven and it its very flat through corners. It’s just a shame that $49k on the road only gets you a 2.5 petrol engine. It goes ok on flat roads but it doesn’t do much going up hills and don’t expect to overtake cars in a hurry.
It’s disappointing that the price gap between the NA 2.5 and turbo 2.5 is so large as this car deserves better IMO. It’s also a pity they do not have a diesel available as yet, that would make the Liberty a real winner with the torque and economy Subaru have extracted out of their new diesel.
So while it’s a well appointed, comfortable, quiet and handles very well, it’s just let down a bit in the performance stakes.
Test drove the 3.6R Liberty sedan on the last Sunday of August
* Looks way better when face-to-face
* Agree with Kris^^^…. it holds really flat and fantastic grip through the corners.
* Throttle blipping on the downshifts are a nice touch
Wheres (or when) is the 3.6R Liberty Wagon?
I really laugh when i read Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Suzuki… these underdogs are treat as “good” in Aus.
Then what do you think about Korean cars?
Also I want to know who is winner, gnd2j8x6?
CVT is a huge improvement + really helps teh flat 4, drives exactly like you would expect a softly set-up AWD to.
so many faux pas inside and out, such a step down in interior finishes from the last one. hard plastic dash for 50 bigguns???!!!!
I think the pricing is very important. Pretty easy to get a GT for luxury car lease cap (low $57k) money now (something you couldnt really do for new previously).
I test drove the 2.5 Sports Premium yesterday… I must say I was impressed!
It looks fierce with the new styling, handled smoothly and definately had a touch of luxury with the leather interior and electric sunroof.
I do agree you need the 18″ alloys and the slightly lower profile of the sports model, with the standard 17″ alloys lost in the model’s new proportions. The colour range seemed fair and to disagree with a few previous posts, I thought the front lights, fog lamps and grill added to the character and profile of the model, giving it a slightly more aggresive feel than previous models.
With a family on the way I wanted a family size car, with all the safety trimmings and ample space without compromising on a nice ride and sports styling… with the new liberty I think I have found what I have been looking for.
Better call the bank and organise a cheque.
GT sedan. Ordered. Pick up Friday. Looks great. Goes great.
I agree wagon doesn’t look as good. A bit boxy for my liking. Subaru have always been a little controversial with their styling.. (bug eye rex). Everyone still loved them, bought them and people just keep coming back.
why is the hand brake on the dashboard?
after 3 mazda 6′s i just bought the suby. must admit that the latest 6 looks great but as for performance its a great car if your a chic.the suby drives like a dream. the paddle shift in sports mode will leave euro , maz6 for dead……………..