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Subaru Liberty 2006 review

The half dollar would be from the gentleman who asserted that we care only for BMWs and therefore didn't hate absolutely everything.

Though we are idiots, obviously. That's a given.

Actually, it's not a question of liking BMWs per se, so much as being forced to admit that certain of them remain the benchmarks for their respective classes. Unless we're talking about the appalling 1 Series, but that's another story ...

This story is about Subaru. About how top-spec Libertys murder comparably priced German cars in terms of value and go for your dough. Come to that, they also keep honest those that cost as much as $30,000 over the leading model Soobs' mid-$50k price tags.

Since last Monday when we bid adieu to the newest go-fast Liberty — the GT spec. B — much time has been given to finding faults. As in distractingly detrimental, reason-not-to-buy faults.

Fault: Visually it's a non-event.

Retort: Understatement is part of the philosophy of this sport sedan. And you're too old for a WRX.

F: The boot's not very big.

R: Just how many sets of golf clubs do you need?

F: It's too fast for Australia.

R: What isn't? That's your fault for living in a Third World state.

F: The cabin's cramped for height and the driving position is awkward.

R: So lose weight, fatso.

In isolation, there isn't a lot wrong with the new GT spec. B (stand by for AWD turbo sedan comparos) — it's you that's wrong.

The exception is steering weighting that's too light for satisfaction. It's not overly so, not Audi-so, but disappointing in a performance sedan.

That said, the nine-month gestation between the rubbing out of the first-gen GT for non-compliance with Euro III emission rules and the rebirth of the model line has been worth the wait.

Not least for the item that puts the "B" in its moniker. We'll get to that in a sec — it's one of the salient borrowings from other Soobs.

All GT models now come with the Impreza WRX STi's 'roidal 2.5 turbocharged boxer four, which will subsist on a diet of 95 RON. Good for 184kW/339Nm, it has been teamed with the STi's slottily decisive six-speed manual gearbox (or with a five-speed auto, if you must).

Even without twiddling the Subaru Intelligent Drive dial into Sport Sharp mode to heighten response, the new GT's performance is enhanced with a torque curve that is, if not seamless in its progression, then certainly smoother.

Claimed times for the 0-100km/h sprint are 6.5 seconds in the manual, 7.0 the auto.

Better yet, the GT spec. B gets the Bilstein sports-tuned suspension from the Liberty 3.0R-B to complement its permanent all-wheel-drive. The pitch and tail wag that dogged the old GT in our comparo with Mazda's 6 MPS has been largely sorted.

Combined with lowish profile rubber around its 18-inch alloys, the GT has almost absurd levels of grip, remaining poised to a scarcely believable degree through bends under provocation.

For all this, the GT spec. B's ride is suburban compatible. It dealt with the rutted, rubbish roads near my abode more comfortably than, shall we say, a runflat-tyred BMW 3 Series.

And although petrol prices have temporarily dipped, no one's going to decry the 12.8 litres per 100km we achieved in mostly urban driving with enough open road twistiness to appreciate the GT's handling qualities.

Power-adjustable leather seats make the most of the limited reach adjustment that's been belatedly added to the steering wheel.

That the GT spec. B comes exceptionally well endowed with standard kit makes the price list even more attractive. The manual sedan is $55,990, the auto $57,990.

Add $2K more to each for the wagon and you have a package that's readily appreciable — even by those accused of being short of a full dollar.

Pricing guides

$5,999
Based on 22 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months
Lowest Price
$3,950
Highest Price
$9,790

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
2.0R 2.0L, ULP, 4 SP AUTO $5,060 – 7,480 2006 Subaru Liberty 2006 2.0R Pricing and Specs
2.0R (Sat) 2.0L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $4,510 – 6,710 2006 Subaru Liberty 2006 2.0R (Sat) Pricing and Specs
2.0R (Sat) 2.0L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $4,840 – 7,150 2006 Subaru Liberty 2006 2.0R (Sat) Pricing and Specs
2.5i Safety 2.5L, ULP, 4 SP AUTO $5,610 – 7,920 2006 Subaru Liberty 2006 2.5i Safety Pricing and Specs
Paul Pottinger
Contributing Journalist

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Pricing Guide

$3,950

Lowest price, based on 15 car listings in the last 6 months

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Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.