BMW M3 vs Subaru Liberty
What's the difference?

BMW M3

$124,800 - $179,990

2023 price

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Subaru Liberty

$9,990 - $22,990

2018 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 6

Mercedes-AMG E63

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Summary

2023 BMW M3

2018 Subaru Liberty

By Andrew Chesterton

By Peter Anderson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 6, 3.0L

Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

10.4L/100km (combined)

7.3L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Brutal acceleration
Surprisingly compliant in the city
Boot space for days

Roomy interior
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Well-equipped

Dislikes

Carbon pack a little (a lot) silly
Thirsty as all get out
Design a little polarising (though I like it)

Hoplessly grainy reversing camera
Run-of-the-mill warranty and steep servicing
No parking sensors

2023 BMW M3 Summary

There’s no point waxing too lyrical here, because the facts surrounding the M3 Touring are more than exciting enough.

It’s a (kind of) family friendly wagon with oodles of space and practicality. It’s also an unhinged performance weapon with a thumping 3.0-litre twin-turbo-petrol inline six-cylinder engine.

And it has been years — decades, even — in the making. So, has it been worth the wait? Let’s strap in and find out.

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2018 Subaru Liberty Summary

Subaru's Liberty is probably one of the most recognised badges in the country. Talk to anyone outside of Australia, though, and unless they know their cars, they haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about. It's a mark of Subaru's respect of the Australian market - the company renamed it from Legacy for local consumption - and the power of a brand that's approaching 30 years old.

Just about every Australian reading these words has been in a Liberty of one age or another. Some even remember it for Colin McRae's heroics at the wheel of the blue-and-yellow machine in the early '90s before the switch to another famous Subaru, the Impreza.

The Liberty is now well into its sixth iteration which means time for a mid-life nip and tuck. Subaru has worked above and below the skin to breathe a bit of life into its mainstay sedan.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 BMW M3 2018 Subaru Liberty

Verdict

Long live the mighty wagon. The BMW M3 Touring is treat to look at, and an even bigger treat to drive.

If you want one, act fast. We waited a long time for a wagon-shaped M3, and with electrification increasing in the automotive industry, this will likely be your last chance.

Verdict

The Liberty has a lot going for it - a great reputation for reliability, it isn't terribly priced (although servicing is a little steep) and has that signature all-wheel drive. While I've complained about the ride and handling, apart from STi and RS-badged versions, that has never been the Liberty's strong suit.

While it might be a shrinking part of the market - and Subaru is a founding architect of the modern SUV cult - Subaru and its competitors still care. The Liberty, like Forester and Outback, remains a stand-out in the sector with a boxer 2.5 and all-wheel drive. Sometimes that kind of individuality is enough.

BMW M3 vs Subaru Liberty What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

BMW M3 vs Subaru Liberty
What's the difference?