2006 Subaru Liberty Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2013 Subaru Liberty and Outback as used buys.

Subaru's largest passenger car, the Liberty, has a well-deserved reputation for toughness and reliability with Australian buyers. The Subaru Outback is an interesting variant on the Liberty station wagon. On the market since 1996 it is intended as a halfway step between a conventional station wagon and a dedicated 4WD.In its earlier models Subaru Outback had a tougher appearance than the standard wagon because of the additional protective plastic facings on the doors. These were discontinued with the new generation of 2003 to give the vehicle a more upmarket air, though there are many Subaru advocates who preferred the tougher look of the original.Since 1995 only all-wheel drive Liberty models have been sold in Australia, prior to then there were also front-wheel drive versions, even by 1995 these were comparatively rare because buyers had already sussed out the advantages of driving all four wheels.Unusually for Japanese cars, Libertys and Outbacks, indeed all Subarus, are popular with country drivers as well as those from metro areas. Libertys and Outbacks are much loved by snow skiers because their permanent all-wheel drive system makes them safer and more capable in slippery conditions than a 2WD vehicle.Subaru Liberty first arrived in this country in 1989 and struck a chord with local buyers almost immediately. These older models are generally getting long in the tooth so may be near the end of their lives. You’re probably better off avoiding them.Liberty is sold as a four-door sedan and a five-door station wagon, with a much larger percentage of wagons being sold than in other models in the mid-size class. The combination of the traction of all-wheel drive and the practicality of a wagon rear end is a strong one.The engines have a flat ‘boxer’ layout to lower the centre of gravity for improved road holding. Engine capacities in the four-cylinder models are 2.0, 2.2 and 2.5 litres. The 2.0 actually has more performance than the 2.2 being a later design.Flat-six engines began with a 3.0-litre unit in the Outback and later the Liberty range, its capacity increased to 3.6 litres in September 2009. Subaru calls the flat-six engines the H6 - ‘H’ for horizontally opposed, but most owners tend to retain the use of flat-six or boxer for it.There are a couple of high-performance Subaru Liberty variants. The Liberty RS has a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit and was introduced here in 1992. It was on sale for less than two years, when it was upstaged by the smaller and lighter Subaru Impreza WRX, a car that went on to be a huge success.The Liberty B4 sports machine has a twin-turbo 2.0-litre. It first came here in August 2001 but was somewhat of a disappointment in Australia because the engine had to be significantly detuned from the one offered on the Japanese market to run on our lower-octane petrol.These Subarus are reasonably easy to work on and most routine jobs can be carried out by an experienced home mechanic. However, safety items and most areas of the high-performance variants are best left to the professionals.Spare parts prices are about average for a car in this class. The Subaru dealer network, though relatively small, works efficiently. Because of Subarus’ popularity in country areas there are dealers in comparatively remote areas.Insurance charges on all but the turbocharged high-performance Liberty RS and Liberty B4 are moderate. The turbo models can be really expensive to cover, especially if you are a young and/or inexperienced driver. Living in a high-risk area further increases charges. Be sure to get a quote before falling in love with a turbo Liberty as premiums can be scary.Look over the interior trim and carpets for signs of damage, though they usually hold up well to all but the most outrageous of treatment. Mud or a real buildup of dust may indicate a lot of time spent of the beaten track.Check out the luggage area for signs of harsh treatment caused by carrying big and/or sharp loads. Have a look underneath a car, particularly the Outback, for signs of damage through it coming into contact with the ground. Some owners really do treat them as though they are ‘real’ 4WDs.The undersides of the bumpers, especially on their corners, are usually the first to suffer. Be sure the engine starts quickly and immediately idles smoothly no matter how cold the conditions. The sixes are naturally smoother than the fours, but the latter should be pretty good as well. Manual gearboxes should be quiet in operation and gearchanges should be smooth and light. Automatics which tend to hunt up and down the gears, or which are slow to go into gear, could be due for an overhaul. Rust is not common in Subarus, but if one has been badly repaired after a crash it may get into the metal. Call in a professional inspector if there’s the slightest doubt.

The first lesson for first-car buyers is to forget power and performance - go for safety, reliability and low running costs. Today's car choices are far wider and considerably less basic that Peter Brock's first car, a stripped-down 750cc Austin Seven. But the exercise of buying your car demands patience and - if possible - expert consideration.Compared with buying new, you will save money purchasing a used car. But be aware that a used car may require expensive repair costs, may be less fuel efficient and that its safety standards are likely to be lower than a new car. The basic safety gear you want are two airbags and ABS brakes.Every car is different because each has been treated differently during its life. Be cognisant that cheap new cars are bought on a budget and the penny-pinching owners may skimp on regular servicing and repairs. Steer away from hotted-up cars - you want reliable, easy-to-fix transport here, not a temperamental, ground-hugging runt that sounds like it's lost its exhaust pipe.There are a few quality used car models that have lasted the distance. These have retained a solid reputation for quality and reliability, have a strong spare parts back-up, simple service schedule and are renown for just being easy to live with.The only downside is they won't be the newest car on your block and they're unlikely to be the most rewarding ride of your life. But you have to start somewhere. Just like Peter Brock.CHOICESThese are some used cars, not in any particular order, that should be reliable first-time cars. But each car is different. Ensure your car is professionally checked before buying and that all the car's service papers are accurate, regular and preferably stamped by a competent service centre.NISSAN TIIDAThis model is the evolution of the Pulsar and, I admit, isn't the prettiest car on the road. Fellas, perhaps stay away from this one. But the model is enduring because of its simplicity and low running costs. It has a decent amount of metal around the passenger cell to minimise intrusion in case of a collision, a neat and functional interior with comfortable seats, big boot in the sedan model (and more than adequate in the hatchback version), and four doors so your friends won't have to squeeze past you on the way to access the rear seat.2006 TIIDA TI SEDANCost: $9200 with 79,000kmEngine: 93kW/174Nm 1.8-litre autoFuel economy: 7.8 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 4 airbags, brake assist Crash rating: 4-starMAZDA3Two of my daughters drive these and love them for their comfort and features. Later models are preferable because of the electronic stability control, but earlier versions had at least four airbags and ABS brakes plus a four-star crash rating. Because everyone loves these, they're going to cost a bit more than some rival cars. But Mazda's quality name should extend to the day you sell it allowing it to retain a high resale value.2006 MAZDA3 MAXXCost: $11,500 with 75,000kmEngine: 108kW/182Nm 2.0-litre autoFuel economy: 8.2 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 6 airbags, brake assistCrash rating: 4-star.MITSUBISHI LANCERThese have been made for decades yet nearly all carry a name for reliability. One model, bought with 247,000km on the clock, stayed trouble-free in my household for four years before finding yet another owner. That's not uncommon with Lancers. They're very simple cars but early models fall down badly in safety equipment, so look at 2003 and younger if possible. The 2007-plus models have a five-star crash rating. It doesn't really matter which model you buy but you may have better resale in the future with an automatic with four or five doors that will appeal to a wider audience.2006 LANCER LS SEDANCost: $10,000 with 70,000kmEngine: 115kW/220Nm 2.4-litre autoFuel economy: 8.5 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 2 airbagsCrash rating: 3-star.TOYOTA COROLLAThis is a stablemate of suburban living with the distinction of being a member of practically every Australian household since the 1970s. It's always been a simple and reliable car without any major hiccups, though the Toyota badge means there's a premium - justified or otherwise - on the price. Paying the extra on the Corolla name alone may not be worth it - look closely at each car before purchase. Toyota was one of the last major carmakers to introduce extra features - such as additional airbags and stability control - on base versions. Better models started from 2000 and the more upmarket versions (Levin and Ultima, for example) are preferred.2006 COROLLA CONQUEST SEDANCost: $10,500 with 75,000kmEngine: 93kW/161Nm 1.8-litre autoFuel economy: 7.4 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 2 airbagsCrash rating: 4-star.MITSUBISHI MAGNAThis is something a bit bigger and yet is generally priced about the same as the smaller cars. Mitsubishi made these in Australia and progressive years honed the product to excellent reliability while ho-hum styling and performance slashed resale. That makes this big family car good buying today. Magnas ended their run in 2005 and today these are the pick of the bunch, even though the powerplant was a 3.5-litre V6 with a four-speed auto. These cars were common in government and rental fleets but don't be put off - that means they've been regularly se rviced and repaired.2005 MAGNA ES SEDANCost: $5000 with 120,000kmEngine: 155kW/316Nm 3.5-litre V6 autoFuel economy: 11.5 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 4 airbags, traction controlCrash rating: 3-star.SUBARU LIBERTYAnother biggish car that offered high safety standards for its era. The later Libertys are also attractive, well equipped - in their day they weren't a cheap car - and roomy. The downside may be lacklustre performance, so-so fuel economy and some high-priced spare parts but we're primarily chasing a reliable and safe car choice here. The Libertys are all-wheel drive sedans and wagons which aids safety on wet roads rather than giving them any off-road ability (for that, look at the Subaru Outback).2006 LIBERTY 2.5i SEDANCost: $11,500 with 75,000kmEngine: 121kW/226Nm 2.5-litre autoFuel economy: 9.5 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 6 airbags, traction controlCrash rating: 5-star.

Subaru has kicked goals at every turn since it went all all-wheel-drive. The audacious move saw it go from also-ran to leader of the pack and it has never looked back.If the awesome Impreza WRX is the hero model that gives the brand its zing, the Liberty is the real brand leader.The 2.0R entered the fray in 2006 when it replaced the 2.5i. It was much the same as the 2.5i, but built on the success of its predecessor and brought more to the table in the form of goodies. Most not able among a raft of changes was the engine, which boasted double overhead camshafts where the older model only had a single cam per bank. With better breathing courtesy of the extra cams the flat-four produced 20 kW more than the older engine.A five-speed manual gearbox came standard, with a four-speed auto an optional choice. The big advantage of the Liberty when compared to its rivals is its all-wheel drive system. The others, of course, are all front-wheel drivers.In the Liberty's case the system is a permanent all-wheel drive system so all four wheels are being driven all the time and there's no delay in grip as there can be with systems that are front-wheel drive until it's determined that grip is needed at the rear wheels. With grip on tap all the time there's no loss of poise when things turn slippery on wet or muddy roads.The Liberty simply gets on with the job, no fuss, sure-footed and stable. The upgraded engine of the 2.0R is no fireball, but it has all the punch a family needs. The 2.0R was released midway through the model cycle, so the looks are a bit plain, but that shouldn't deter anyone from buying it. Inside, the cabin is quite roomy and well laid out with comfortable and supportive seats, and with a nice feel to the trim and fittings.IN THE SHOP The Liberty is a well-built car and little really goes wrong with them, at least on a grand scale. They do need regular servicing; oil changes are a must for long  engine life, so look for a service record. Look also for oil leaks  around the engine. The cam belt needs changing every 100,000 km, so check that the changes have been done as required. The front suspension bushes can wear so have them checked. Owners also report having to regularly replace headlamp globes that fail on low beam.IN A CRASHWith all-wheel drive grip, front and side airbags and ABS brakes the Liberty came standard with pretty much everything needed to keep you out of trouble, hence the 5-star ANCAP rating.UNDER THE PUMP Subaru claimed an average fuel consumption of 9.1 L/100 km and that  was backed up by real life results on road tests at the time of the 2.0R's launch. The minimum octane rating was 95, while Subaru said E10 fuel was ok if the minimum octane rating was maintained.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $33,990 to $36,490Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol;121 kW/187 NmTransmission: 4-speed auto, 5-speed manual; AWDEconomy: 9.1 L/100 kmBody: 4-door sedan, wagonSafety: 5-star ANCAP

On a tight budget, you had four options: unsafe cars, unreliable cars, really boring cars or cars that combined all three characteristics.  In the past decade, though, it's become easier to find a tidy, safe, cheap used car, for several reasons.Firstly, used cars don't hold their value like they once did. New cars have become cheaper in real terms, and sales have boomed, so there's a lot more used cars on the market.Cars are also much safer than they used to be. Government legislation and independent crash test programmes like NCAP, (which publicises the results of its tests, much to the annoyance of the industry) have forced car makers to improve safety. A 2005 car, no matter what make it is, will be safer than a 1995 car. At the minimum, you want two front airbags and anti-lock (ABS) brakes.Unless it's French or Italian, in which case a weekly dummy spit is part of the "ownership experience," most cars from the last 10 years will be pretty reliable, as long as servicing has been done by the book.We are talking about ordinary, everyday cars here, that haven't been thrashed. If you're looking at some dude's slammed, chipped Subaru WRX and the price seems too good to be true, chances are it will self-destruct before you make it home. You pay your money and you take your chances.Immaculate, low kilometre cars owned by little old ladies do exist, and they are gold. So is a complete service record, especially if it's from the dealer who sold the car new.  Let's see if we can find a few to recommend. Bottom dollar in our search is $5000.There's not much joy at this money, but the last of the Mitsubishi Magnas, from 2004-2005, are great value and reasonably plentiful. Many will be ex-renters. That's not necessarily a bad thing, because serving will have been done to schedule. The 3.5-litre V6-four speed auto ES has four airbags and ABS.Another Mitsubishi, the Lancer, is the best small car we can find at this price. Toyota Corollas are fine too, though they're more expensive.  The Lancer's as sexy as a can of baked beans and completely bulletproof. Pay about $7000-$8000 or so for a 2005 model. Find one with optional ABS and six airbags.If you've got around $10,000 to spend, you have much more choice.  In 2004, Mazda made six airbags and ABS available across its entire range, as options or standard, so any Mazda2 or Mazda3 from 2004 on will be worth checking out. Mazda does blue chip quality, and if you find a good one, with a service book, buy it. You'll pick up a 2 for less than $10,000; a 3 will be $10,000-$12,000.If you need something bigger, this sort of money will also get you into a 2004-2005 Subaru Liberty, another top car from Japan's A league. All wheel drive, excellent handling and Subaru's class leading NCAP scores are pluses. The 2.0-litre four won't rip your arms off, but it will do the job. Wagons cost a little more.You might prefer a small SUV wagon instead, so look for a 2004-2005 Subaru Forester, or Toyota RAV4, at $12,000-$15,000.  If you need a big car for a big country, the Aussie six is hard to go past.You'll pay $10,000-$13,000 for the first of the VE Commodores from 2006. The 3.6-litre V6 sounds like 1000 leaf blowers on maximum thrust, however it's durable enough. Holden got serious about safety with VE, so you get stability control as standard.  It might take a while to find the right car, but in the end, it pays to be fussy. Second hand doesn't have to mean second best.WHERE TO BUY?DealerPros: On cars under 10 years old, most states require a warranty, typically 3 months or 5000 kilometres. You also get guaranteed title. Franchised dealers (ie those who also sell new cars) usually have the best selection of used cars; the trade-ins they don't want are unloaded to non franchised dealers or auctions.Cons: Can be more expensive than a similar car bought privately. Beware of non-franchised dealers selling flood damaged or rebirthed (ie cars written off by insurance companies but then repaired) from Queensland.PrivatePros: The best way to find a bargain.Cons: You have to do plenty of legwork, and finding the right car, in a place that's close to where you live, can be a time consuming process. There's no guarantee of title or provenance, and no comebacks if it drops its guts on the way home. Buyer beware.AuctionsPros: Ex-government or fleet cars, usually properly serviced, with low kilometres. Guaranteed title. Many dealers buy cars at auction, take them to their car yard, and jack the price up by thousands of dollars. Buy it yourself, and pocket the difference.Cons: You can't test drive the car before you bid. It's also easy for an amateur to pay too much, so go to a couple before you buy to get an idea of prices and how it all works.

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.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 ROADTHE 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 LINEA SWEET and sensible car with the smartest drive system we have seen in ages. 82/100FAST FACTSubaru is already talking about installing the SI-Drive system on the next new Impreza, which should be along some time next year

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.

The city-smart Liberty and its country cousin, the Outback, have been given a mid-life styling freshen and a much more significant injection of smarts with the SI-Drive (Subaru Intelligent Drive) technology on all 3.0-litre and turbo models."SI-Drive gives the driver three cars; a performance version or an economical version depending on the road, the conditions or the driver's emotions," Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior says."We are particularly excited about being able to offer this technology as it has previously been the domain of much more expensive vehicles."SI-Drive is the culmination of almost two decades of determination and belief in an idea Liberty project general manager Toshio Masuda had as a young engineering student."When I was a student I imagined the day when you would not have to change the engine in your car to get very different characteristics," Masuda says at the Australian launch of SI-Drive. "I kept a belief in my idea and when I became a senior engineer with Subaru I knew it was time to introduce this idea to the world."But although the theory of SI-Drive was sound, he says resistance from some sections of the company was difficult to overcome. "Many in the company thought this (SI-Drive) was not possible because of the technical challenges ... challenges we have been able to overcome," he says.Operating through a simple dial situated on the central console behind the gear shift, the driver can select an economy mode (Intelligent), general driving mode (Sport) or aggressive attack mode (Sport Sharp).From the 3.0-litre engine, Intelligent mode provides performance like a 2.0-litre non-turbo, Sports mode raises the stakes to a 2.5- to 3.0-litre non-turbo equivalent, while Sports Sharp ensures maximum engine response.The reduction in engine output in Intelligent mode - with its consequent fuel saving - is 27 per cent in the 3.0-litre engine, down from 297Nm and 180kW to 200Nm and 147kW.For the 2.5-litre turbo engine, it reduces maximum torque by 19 per cent and power by 20 per cent down to 275Nm and 148kW."It is essential, however, that the driver also matches driving style to the engine output," Subaru's Derek Ashby says. "Aggressive driving techniques will only make the fuel consumption worse."To help drivers stay in the most efficient engine range, SI-Drive cars have what Subaru calls an Eco Gauge in the dash display.Manual models also come with a shift light indicating optimum time to change gears."Real-world testing by Subaru Australia in Australian conditions has shown significant fuel-consumption improvements in I mode compared to S mode," Ashbury says."For example, a Liberty GT manual transmission vehicle in I mode showed a 14 per cent improvement in the city cycle with the highway cycle achieving a gain of 6 per cent over the S mode."The facelift also marks the return of the turbo-charged GT model, this time with the superb 2.5-litre unit from the Impreza STi.With 184kW and 339Nm on tap, the GT comes as a base with a five-speed manual or a pair of Spec-B models with a five-speed auto or the STi's sublime six-speed manual. Spec-B cars also benefit from a Bilstein sports suspension package from the 3.0R Spec-B - and add 18-inch alloys and low-profile rubber.Specification levels across all models have been improved, with one of the key gripes against both Liberty and Outback (the lack of telescopic steering adjustment) answered.There is also brake assist and six-stacker in-dash CD. Higher up the model tree, the turbo and 3.0-litre cars also add a multi-function screen for trip, fuel and SI-drive information, high-intensity discharge lights, dual-zone climate control, expanded multi-function steering wheels and power seats with memory.Subaru has held prices for the 2.0-litre cars ($31,990 manual and $33,990 auto) and trimmed $1000 from the 2.5-litre range ($34,990 manual). The 3.0R remains at $50,990, the 3.0R-B is up $500 to $52,990, while the range-topping GT Spec-B starts at $55,990 (manual).

Liberty GT/GT Spec BMotoring journalists spend a good portion of their time on launches sifting through the marketing hype to find the hard facts. When Subaru claimed their SI-Drive gave the Liberty owner 'three engines in one', an eyebrow was raised in skepticism rather than surprise.But all that was needed to prove Subaru’s point with SI-Drive was a steep hill.Of the three SI-Drive modes, it is the 'Intelligent' (economy) mode that makes the biggest impact. Subaru claim the Intelligent setting reduces engine output to that of a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated car, regardless of the actual engine under the bonnet.The first steep hill in a turbo GT model was met with the appropriate minimal enthusiasm from the engine, slowly pulling up the incline before reluctantly kicking up a gear - and sipping a little more fuel.A similar incline in the default setting of Sport (the setting on which the Liberty’s fuel figures are based) brings a completely different response from the engine; the hill disappears behind familiar dollops of mid-range turbo torque.The frugal Intelligent setting is excellent on downhill and long highway stints, still providing enough power to accelerate around slower traffic, but drinks slightly more than Sport mode on the hills and feels frustratingly limited when the going gets tough.The best result from the SI-Drive was to leave it in Sport until a long flat highway stretch, then remembering to return to Sport through the bends.On the other end of the scale, the Sports Sharp mode picks up the throttle and gear changes in the automatic models with noticeable speed.The shifts are further hastened by a new blip function that briefly raises the rpm on the upshift, resulting in a smoother gear change and minimal shift shock.Shifting itself in the autos is a more involving prospect thanks to the excellent wheel-mounted paddles, easily allowing the driver to select gears even when in full Auto mode when the twists tighten.The manuals are still the pick for sports enthusiasts, particularly the GT spec B with its excellent new suspension, sublime symmetrical all-wheel-drive and newfound flat torque churning through the STi gearbox.SI-Drive is also available on the manuals, leveling its fuel consumption to a claimed 10.9L/100km; the same consumption as the auto, and only fractionally higher than most of the tiny turbocharged hot hatches on today’s market despite four doors, a boot and all that extra booty...Outback 3.0RAs a crossover car, the Outback has been a raging success for Subaru.The Outback has caught up to the Liberty a little in the looks department, with the revised corporate grille producing a more integrated and modern look that still stands apart from the Liberty wagon, but shared its sloped-roofed, understated style.Now riding on 17-inch alloys, the turn in is sharp and the wheels and suspension communicative, though it does not share the Liberty’s neutrality under pressure.On the twisted roads around Healesville in Victoria, a place well known to Subaru from its Rally of Melbourne days, the top-shelf Outback kept pace with the Liberty nat-atmo cars, but suffered more bodyroll on the tight bends.Not surprising, considering its higher clearance for off-road and towing ability (and it still drinks the same as Liberty at a respectable 11.1L/100km).Buyers would be hard-pressed to find a more capable all-wheel-drive with this much standard kit and five-star safety for the asking price.Samantha Stevens is a reviewer on the CARSguide test team. Her work appears here and in the Sunday Telegraph CARSguide. A version of this review, as well as other news, reviews and analysis appears in the Sunday Telegraph.

It is light, nimble, chews meagre amounts of fossil fuel and looks sporty, even if the four-cylinder engine is not quite up to the challenge.At $33,990, the car represents top value in these days of escalating petrol prices.For your dollar, you get a lot of quality standard fittings.There are five-spoke alloys with a full-size spare in the boot; climate control; leather steering wheel, gear shift and handbrake; plenty of cup holders; cruise control; dual exhausts; curtain and dual front side airbags; front fog lamps and DataDot technology which helps detect stolen vehicles.Integrated blinkers in the mirrors and a general tidy up all round make this a handsome little vehicle.Inside, there is smart trim, even in the cloth seats which are firm and supportive. The front seats are nearly as good as Recaros.Rear passengers get plenty of fore-aft room on the seat, with a trade-off of limited legroom, while headroom and shoulder room is fine for three adults.The quality of the interior continues all the way through to the cargo area which is neat, well-insulated, flat-bottomed and deceptively large for a medium-size vehicle.The cockpit is ergonomical, even though the steering wheel is only adjustable for height. You can find a comfortable driving position because the seat is adjustable in every direction, including height.Steering is light and neutral and handling is similarly light, but always predictable thanks to Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel-drive system.Off the mark, there is a little lag in the automatic transmission, but once it gets into the revs, there is ample go with good feel from the electronic throttle control.Up hills and with a bit of load, it struggles.The four-speed auto box doesn't help here, being a little sluggish and vague.Yet if you drive more conservatively, it is quiet and smooth, delivering fuel economy commensurate with the manufacturer's estimate of 9.1l/100km on the combined cycle.I achieved a lot better than this on a weekend trip to the Sunshine Coast.Being an entry model, it doesn't get the delightful McIntosh sound system found in some of the more expensive Liberty models.This one had a bass speaker that became particularly excited and buzzed annoyingly. I suppose you keep the duff-duff music for the WRX anyway.The Liberty 2.0R is more of a Michael Buble sort of car.