Subaru Liberty auto 2006 review

The latest Subaru Liberty has a fuel-saver system that could easily set the standard for future development of intelligent engine management controls. It is pitched as a performance booster in the new Liberty, but could be applied to almost any make or model as a way of coping with a world of high fuel prices and green priorities.

The Subaru Intelligent Drive system has just been rolled into the performance models in the Liberty line-up, including a turbocharged GT that comes back to the family as the born-again flagship.

It is also in the 3.0-litre six-cylinder cars which have been holding the top line in Australia in recent years.

Explore the 2006 Subaru Liberty range

• Subaru Liberty 2.0R 2006 review
• Subaru Liberty GT and Outback 3.0R 2006 review
• Subaru Liberty and Outback 2006 review
• Subaru Liberty 2006 review
• Subaru Liberty auto 2006 review

SI-Drive has three settings that let the driver choose between the leave-it-alone Intelligent mode, Sport and Sport Sharp.

It makes a difference in the way the car responds, performs and how far it will run on a tank of fuel.

But SI-Drive is not the only change to the 2007 model Liberty, as Subaru Australia has also added a telescoping steering wheel on every model and six-stack MP3 CD players across the range, with brake assist on the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre Libertys.

The emphasis is obviously on the six-cylinder cars and the four-cylinder turbo GT, which pick up paddles for the automatic gearchange, xenon headlights and an electric driver's seat with memory.

The GT spec.B and 3.0R spec.B come with Bilstein sports suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and a six-speed manual gearbox developed from Subaru's STi parts bin. It can now also run on 95-octane fuel, not the super-costly 98.

There are, obviously, some minor body changes but nothing that is going to mark the cars out to anyone who is not already familiar with the Liberty.

And prices are as sharp as the Sport Sharp setting in SI-Drive.

"There is no change on entry-level models, while pricing is reduced by up to 3.8 per cent on 2.5i variants," the managing director of Subaru Australia, Nick Senior, says.

"With both GT and 3.0R spec.B variants we've simplified pricing by making the manual and Sportshift automatic versions the same price, so customers can choose purely on the basis of transmission preference."

But the top-line cars are not cheap, with the 3.0R spec.B from $52,490 and the GT wagon running right up to $57,990.

The prices move the Liberty range-toppers into the same paddock as some of the better-known European prestige brands, including BMW and Audi.

There is potential to use the multi-mode SI-Drive engine control on cars that are not just high-line performance models.

Subaru Australia is hopeful of extra SI-Drive cars, but says it is not sure yet on the roll-out from Japan.

ON THE ROAD

THE SI-Drive Liberty felt dozy at first. Very dozy.

But that was partly because we had not played with the SI-Drive settings, and partly because the 3.0R spec.B has always been a feisty device. Refined, for sure, but always eager for a run and a rev.

This time around, with the SI-Drive holding in the basic Intelligent setting, the car was so far into easy-driving economy that the throttle felt dull and the engine was reluctant to rev. It was not the car we had driven in the past.

The rest of the package was as good as before, and a little better due to adjustment in the steering column and the paddle gearshift, but the engine was disappointing.

Then we began to play with the settings and the car revealed its character and flexibility.

In Sport it was much more like the car we remembered, and in Sports Sharp it was a real rabble rouser. Lusty and keen, with an engine that responded to the lightest pedal tickle.

The suspension of the spec.B was as fluid and responsive as always, with good cornering grip and plenty of suspension travel. And the seats were comfy and supportive, the excellent McIntosh sound system was as punchy as we remembered, and everything from the split-zone aircon to the leather trim and sunroof made the car enjoyable and right for a $50,000-something bottom line.

The test car came with the optional pack that combines electronic stability control with satellite navigation, which is good on both fronts but not cheap at $3490.

We liked the minor styling changes, but were most impressed by the spec.B's low-key look, which has no hints to its go-faster ability.

On the downside, we like xenon headlamps but get annoyed when they are only low-beam units, and the dashboard had too much happening. There is an instant fuel display in the main dials, mirrored in a central display that also has average fuel and throttle position.

It is part of the SI-Drive system, but distracting and should be redundant if the driver is more interested in maximum performance. But they won't be, which is the great thing.

The car gets along well enough in the basic setting and gets great economy. If you want a little more it will give you better overtaking response in the Sport setting, with Sport Sharp for the days and roads where you want maximum response and maximum enjoyment.

We flicked between settings as we changed roads and traffic and were surprised by how easy it was to tune the car for the conditions. And our fuel economy was great at 10.1 litres per 100km, even with some spirited driving.

We also discovered that the system has an extra smart feature, as it will not let you go beyond Intelligent once the fuel warning light is lit and you need to make an early fuel stop.

Some are already dismissing SI-Drive as a gimmick, but that overlooks the intelligence of the system and the potential to tailor a car to the conditions and the driver's mood.

The last time we drove a spec.B Liberty we gave it a 78 score, but SI-Drive has kicked it up to 82 for 2006 and beyond.

The basic Liberty is a little better for 2007 and Subaru is going to win some crossover shoppers, but the SI-Drive is more than just a here-and-now technology tweak.

It could easily be the door to something much bigger in the future.

THE BOTTOM LINE

A SWEET and sensible car with the smartest drive system we have seen in ages. 82/100

FAST FACT

Subaru is already talking about installing the SI-Drive system on the next new Impreza, which should be along some time next year