Subaru Liberty GT 2009 review

Yes, there is a chunky new body, but otherwise the Japanese niche maker has ticked all the expected boxes: a revised four-cylinder boxer turbo, a re-hashed symmetrical all-wheel drive system, and re-designed double-wishbone rear suspension as part of a mechanical package which allows a roomier cabin inside a bigger body.

Safety

It will almost certainly get the maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP, although there was no need to test its crash performance during a first drive of the B4 2.5 Liberty GT in Japan last week.

Explore the 2009 Subaru Liberty range

• Subaru Liberty GT 2009 review
• Subaru Liberty 2009 review

Body

At my exclusive drive in the mountains of Subaru's Tochigi proving ground my first impression was the car's 'street presence.' The new Liberty looks bigger and taller all-round with substantial modifications in the sheetmetal.

It is over 100mm longer, 50mm wider, 80mm higher and the wheelbase has stretched by 80mm as well, although kerb weight has only risen by 20kg. All that translates into oodles more head and legroom.

Engine

The Liberty B4 has a fully-rebuilt 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer engine now making 210kW, up from 191, with torque in the five-speed auto up to 350Nm.

Of special note is the redesigned turbo which now sits low down at the front of the engine bay just behind the number plate and a lot closer to the exhaust manifold, a modification that beefs up response while reducing turbo lag.

Equipment

The optional McIntosh sound system, arguably the best in-car sound system in the world, now plays DVDs and has a 40 gigabyte hard drive capable of storing 2000 songs and a 5.1-channel surround system. Other new stuff includes a 'Lineartronic' constantly-variable transmission, knee airbags, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps, push-button starting and a reversing camera with factory satnav.

Driving

The new turbo engine strutted its stuff and demanded me to drive harder on Subaru's tight winding course, and the car felt more planted than any earlier Liberty.

Power delivery is linear and strong with maximum torque coming on tap as low as 2000 revs and staying on the boil to 5500rpm. With almost no noticeable turbo lag, the Legacy's sequential five-speed auto gearbox devours gear shifts with the flick of its polished aluminium paddle-shifters and almost no shift shock. A re-tuned blipping control on the downshifts also delivers seamless entry into corners allowing me to focus more on smoother braking and turn-in. A six-speed manual will also be available.

The newly fitted double wishbones do wonders for the suspension, and Subaru rates them as a priority change. The latest electronically-assisted power steering delivers a clear message and the chunky nose tucks in nicely while the rear end stays low and flat, generating more grip than ever before. These new wishbones counteract unwanted camber fluctuations while producing prodigious levels of grip. That equals quicker, more stable cornering.

Surprisingly, ride quality has also improved, especially for rear-seat passengers.

For more detailed information, see your newspaper’s Carsguide section or check back here later this week.