New Models
New Models

2020 Subaru Liberty unveiled

Evolutionary looks (it is a new Subaru, after all) mask a new platform, a new 2.4-litre turbo engine option, and an 11.6-inch tablet-style infotainment screen.


The seventh-generation Subaru Legacy — known as the Liberty in Australia and New Zealand — has been unveiled at the 2019 Chicago motor show.

Riding on the company's new global platform, the new Liberty/Legacy is said to be significantly stiffer than today's car.

Thanks to a 13 per cent increase in ultra-high tensile-strength steel, a new full inner frame construction method, and a new-to-Subaru foam-filled crossmember, the seventh-generation Liberty is actually said to be up to 70 to 100 per cent stiffer, depending on which metric you look at.

Subaru also claims the new car's body is capable of absorbing 40 per cent more energy in front and side crashes.

In the USA, the new Liberty will be available with two engines.

The base engine is a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer with 136kW of power at 5800rpm, and 239Nm of torque at 4400rpm. Subaru says this motor is good for a 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of 8.4 seconds.

Higher specification models are fitted with a new 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder boxer tuned to deliver 194kW of power at 5600rpm, and 376Nm of torque between 2000 and 4800rpm.

The 2.4-litre turbo is also available on the Ascent crossover, and effectively replaces the outgoing Liberty's 3.6-litre six-cylinder. The turbo has a claimed 0-60mph time of 6.1 seconds.

Both engines are fitted with a continuously variable transmission, automatic engine stop/start and a torque vectoring all-wheel drive system. Depending on the model, the new Liberty rides on either 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels.

The new Liberty measures 4840mm long, 1840mm wide, 1500mm tall, and rides on a 2750mm wheelbase. This makes it 40mm longer overall than the outgoing model, with all other dimensions unchanged.

Thanks to the added length, the new Liberty's boot floor is 36mm longer, and can carry 428 litres worth of gear.

While the exterior is best described as a gentle evolution of the present vehicle, the interior has been given a much bigger upgrade.

In addition to the greatly improved design and materials, top-end models are fitted with a 11.6-inch portrait orientation touchscreen display, which is used to interact with both the infotainment and climate control systems.

For lower-spec models the cabin features two 7.0-inch touchscreen units, one each for the infotainment and climate control systems.

In the US the EyeSight camera-based system is standard, as is adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance.

Available safety features include a 180-degree front-view camera system, driver fatigue monitoring, steering-responsive LED headlamps, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking in reverse, and rear cross traffic alert.

Depending on the model, the new Liberty can also be equipped with Nappa leather, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a 12-speaker Harmon/Kardon audio system, satellite navigation, Wi-Fi hot spot with LTE mobile internet connectivity, the Starlink emergency and concierge service, and heated and ventilated front seats.

Australia

The new Legacy sedan goes on sale in the US during the third quarter of 2019.

Subaru Australia says the current Liberty still has a "considerable time to run", so the company is unable to comment on when the new model may arrive Down Under.

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