Subaru Liberty bigger and safer

A new 2.0-litre turbo-diesel available in Europe will arrive in November in the Outback first. However, Subaru Australia plans to gauge buyer reaction before looking at other models like the Liberty and Forester.

In the meantime the local operations are pushing ahead with the launch of the new four and six-cylinder Liberty and Outback models. The fifth-generation Subaru Liberty is bigger, safer and has made gains in the areas of fuel economy and lowering emissions. The larger, significantly quieter cabin offers more comfort and better cabin and luggage space.

Subaru Australia managing director, Nick Senior, says the fifth-generation Liberty improves in all areas. “It offers outstanding ride and handling, and every variant in the range offers better fuel efficiency and lower emissions,” he says. “Interior space is improved too in every key dimension.”

Senior says safety has been improved in critical areas, with addition of the driver's knee airbag to complement the dual front side and curtain airbags. He said the energy-absorbing engine cradle and framed door windows aided cabin strength. ”That's in addition to standard electronic stability control and ABS brakes, plus a raft of other detailed safety features shows that Subaru isn't resting on its laurels, despite being a leader in this field.”

Senior says Subaru has aimed to add equipment but keep prices down. “Every Liberty is keenly priced. The fact that none have increased and some have actually decreased, while specification is enhanced in so many key areas, makes these vehicles an attractive proposition,” he says.

Changes

The Liberty has a number of firsts for the model — a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission and a 3.6-litre horizontally opposed boxer engine, the Liberty's largest engine yet, as well as the addition of a Sports models to the 2.5i range and a six-speed manual gearbox.

Fuel consumption has improved across the range, with an 11 per cent gain in automatic Liberty GT models and 9.7 per cent in automatic 2.5i models, in the combined cycle. Emissions have also been lowered. The automatic Liberty GT's CO2 emissions have been reduced by 31 g/km to 228 in the combined cycle.

Pricing and variants

Prices for some variants have decreased by up to 7.8 per cent while others cost the same as the superseded variants. Entry-level Liberty 2.5i starts from $33,990, with the CVT auto adding $2500 to the price.

The range-topping Liberty GT Premium is $52,990, $4500 less than the superseded GT spec.B, while the new Liberty 3.6R Premium is the same price as the superseded Liberty 3.0R Premium.

Features and equipment

Fuji Heavy Industries, which owns Subaru, has looked to Europe for inspiration for its new range. Among the features are seven airbags — including driver’s knee airbag - electronic stability control, dual zone air conditioning, Hill start assist, multi-function trip computer, cruise control, six-stacker in-dash CD stereo and 17-inch alloys (2.5i).

The 2.5i Premium adds sunroof, leather, CVT automatic, electric driver's seat and rear air vents. The 2.5i Sports opens the standard package with the Lineartronic CVT , 18-inch alloys, Bilstein suspension, sports grille and bumper, alloy pedals and Xenon headlights with washers.

Premium models add dusk sensing headlights, rain sensing wipers, McIntosh stereo systems, reversing camera, SI-Drive, satellite navigation, keyless access and push-button start.

Apart from being bigger and roomier, the Liberty range is also stronger and safer, achieving a five-star ANCAP crash rating thanks to the addition of a front engine `cradle' and extensive use of high-tensile steel.

The Lineartronic CVT on the entry-level and 2.5i Sports Liberty contributes to impressive fuel economy and requires no transmission fluid replacement, unless being driven in severe conditions continually

All automatics are available with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters.

Pricing
Liberty 2.5i manual sedan $33,990
Liberty 2.5i Lineartronic CVT sedan $36,490
Liberty 2.5i manual wagon $35,990
Liberty 2.5i Lineartronic CVT wagon $38,490
Liberty 2.5i Sports Lineartronic CVT sedan $39,490
Liberty 2.5i Sports Lineartronic CVT Premium sedan $43,490
Liberty 2.5i Sports Premium Lineartronic CVT SatNav sedan $46,990
Liberty 2.5i Sports Lineartronic CVT wagon $41,490
Liberty 2.5i Sports Lineartronic CVT Premium wagon $45,490
Liberty 2.5i Sports Premium Lineartronic CVT SatNav wagon $48,990
Liberty 2.5i Premium Lineartronic CVT sedan $39,990
Liberty 2.5i Premium Lineartronic CVT SatNav sedan $42,490
Liberty 2.5i Premium Lineartronic CVT wagon $41,990
Liberty 2.5i Premium Lineartronic CVT SatNav wagon $44,490
Liberty 2.5 GT Premium manual SatNav sedan $52,990
Liberty 2.5 GT Premium auto SatNav sedan $54,990
Liberty 2.5 GT Premium manual SatNav wagon $54,990
Liberty 2.5 GT Premium auto SatNav wagon $56,990
Liberty 3.6R Premium auto SatNav sedan $51,990