- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
92kW, 184Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 8.4L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2000 SUBARU LIBERTY GX (AWD)
We had an auto GX wagon from new for 10 years and coming from a lemon of a Renault this was a revelation. In that time it never let us down, apart from having to replace the dead battery and water filling the in brake lights (didn't affect the operation of the lights.)
- Very reliable, confidence-inspiring handling, good quality
- Gutless 2.0 engine, fuel consumption, slightly cramped inside
Subaru's AWD system is terrific. The grip that you get around corners, combined with good steering makes the Liberty a great car to drive. With the 15-inch steel wheels it was also very comfortable, too.
We frequently tested our Liberty's off-road capability, driving in snow and some reasonably tough dirt roads in the Victorian Alps. It's fair to say that it went further off the bitumen than most SUVs; the lack of ground clearance being the only thing letting it down - a Forester solves that.
Inside, the Liberty has a reasonable amount of room in the front, although the back is best suited to children before they hit a growth spurt. The interior was of great quality and had a good level of kit for the time, including dual airbags and cruise control.
The biggest drawback of our Liberty was the 2-litre boxer engine. Combined with the heavier wagon and the 4 speed auto, 92kW just wasn't enough. It really had to be worked to keep up with traffic, especially with a full load. This pushed up fuel consumption and around town we got 13L/100km.
The Liberty of this age makes a safe and reliable first car and an excellent car for a small family on a budget. However I find it very hard to recommend the GX model, especially with an auto. An RX or a Heritage is an excellent option for around the same price now with more features and a better 2.5-litre engine.