2013 Subaru Liberty Reviews

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

It's one thing writing about new technology. It's another thing all together when you see it in action, especially when it saves your bacon. That's what happened as we were in the midst of test driving the latest Subaru Liberty wagon.EYESIGHT TECHNOLOGYLike its name suggests, Subaru's Eyesight provides a second pair of eyes, to keep an eye on things when you're attention might wander. The system is now standard on the four cylinder 2.5-litre Premium model that we were driving. Two small cameras, located near the rear vision mirror mount, monitor the road ahead.When it detects a hazard a number of things happen, not the least of which is the car braking automatically if it thinks there's a risk of collision. It can also brake a lot harder and quicker than any human, which means you have a better chance of avoiding an accident.THE CAROur test vehicle was the four cylinder 2.5i Premium wagon with a CVT auto priced from $41,490. The petrol 2.5-litre four cylinder boxer engine produces slightly more power and torque than before at 127kW and 235Nm, with fuel consumption rated at 8.0 litres/100km (we were getting 8.4).We were supposed to have been driving the entry level model, that does not include Eyesight, but someone pranged it. The gods, it seems, must have been looking out for us?The Liberty gets a full five stars for safety, regardless of Eyesight or not. But the technology takes things to the next level, "actively" seeking out hazards instead of waiting passively to react to them.Along with the addition of Eyesight, the engine and automatic transmission have been upgraded in this latest model. The car comes with leather trim and factory-fitted satellite navigation with a new colour information display.DRIVINGThe Liberty is a very competent car. You can punt it hard without worrying about it letting go, not that most people would do so. It is well engineered and very good dynamically, with high levels of mid corner grip. It does however lack some punch when it comes to pulling out and overtaking. Not that that was the cause of the problem in this case. We were travelling on the inside lane of a two-lane roundabout, distracted momentarily by an elderly relative who needed assistance.Just as we started to leave the roundabout at the second exit, a car travelling in the outside lane decided to continue all the way around, cutting straight across our bow to use some nautical terminology. Quicker than we could react the Liberty braked heavily, scaring the hell out of me because I wasn't expecting it but saving us from certain collision. It happened so fast there wasn't even time to give the offending driver a friendly wave. The Liberty is still not the prettiest car on the road, but it's certainly one of the safest with technology that really works. And it gets you a 20 per cent reduction on your insurance premium. You've got to like that too.VERDICTAny day that technology helps avoid an accident and possible injury or death has got to be a good day.Subaru Liberty Premium wagonPrice: from $41,490Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmWeight: 1501kgEngine: 2.5-litre 4-cylinder boxer, 127kW/235NmTransmission: CVT auto, AWDThirst: 8.0L/100Km, 185g/km CO2

The in-dash push button engine start / stop is becoming an automotive affectation. Originally it was fitted to unique racing cars and their highly tuned road-going derivatives. These days it is increasingly finding its way into vehicles of all brands and price tags.Ironically, such a system will not work without the proximity of a computer controlled key fob, all of which requires more effort than simply slotting the key into the ignition and turning it to fire up the motor.Sundry stressful situations tracking down the key, from pocket to centre console, were put behind me with the new Subaru Liberty 2.5 sedan – keyless entry but buttonless start-up. How good is that?Not that there is anything yesterday about the car. For a start (or in this case stop) there’s an electric parking brake situated on a reworked centre console, a one-touch lane-change indicator, revised instrument panel, dashboard colour scheme and USB connection.And the one-time shrinking violet looks of the Liberty have made way for a more assertive character thanks to a new grille and front fog light surrounds, plus modern alloy wheel designs.VALUEOur test car carried an option pack which includes leather upholstery, satellite navigation and new colour info display adding $3000 to the price, the sat nav sporting a particularly clear on-screen street naming, which was most welcome for this gentleman of a certain age.Among the crop of changes to the MY13 range, the most pleasing economy for the newLiberty is a $2000 trim in price, putting the entry level model at just $32,990.ENGINE AND TRANSMISSIONThe new generation horizontally-opposed boxer engine is linked to the latest Lineartronic continuously variable transmission and a revised Subaru symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. The CVT has a six-speed manual mode with steering wheel-mounted paddles. Subaru engineers have waved a magic wand over the 2.5-litre motor to gain major improvements – power is up by three per cent (127 kW), torque by 3.3 pc (235 Nm), while fuel economy is cut by 4.8 pc (7.9 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban/highway cycle) and carbon dioxide emissions are down 5.7 per cent (182 g per kilometre).DRIVINGIt’s no surprise that the Liberty test car took to local conditions admirably, Australia had input here with tests being conducted Down Under.Much attention was paid to the drivability of the vehicle in the mid-to-low speed torque range, while the new Lineartronic CVT is quieter, lighter and more compact.The CVT has taken the car to a new level of fuss-free driving. The paddle-shift manual mode is competent but adds little to the overall driving experience for those wanting a little more action.Handling and stability have been given a fillip through revision of the all-wheel-drive system, stiffening of the suspension and a sharpened steering response. Noise vibration and harshness also comes in for improvement with changes in the construction of suspension systems.VERDICTThe Subaru Liberty has always maintained a spot at the heart of middle-of-the-road motoring. The latest incarnation looks to be in no mood to relinquish its position.

Subaru Liberty has been a popular seller in Australia for more than 20 years and has attracted loyal buyers partly because it’s just that little bit different from the mainstream. Not only with its boxer engine and all-wheel drive but also because of its well-earned reputation for toughness and reliability.The latest, fifth generation, Liberty was launched in 2010 with annual tweaks to keep it up to date ahead of the next generation model which is still a couple of years away. The model year 2013 Liberty arrived here late last year with some minor styling changes, handling improvements and extra equipment.TECHNOLOGYAs before Subaru Liberty comes with a large choice of variants in either sedan or wagon bodies starting with the 2.5i then 2.5i Premium and 2.5i GT Premium. For 2013 there’s a new model called Liberty X with extra ground clearance which sits in between the standard Liberty and the more rugged Outback. There’s also a seven-seat people mover called Liberty Exiga.As before, two petrol engines are offered with capacities of 2.5 and 3.6 litres although the latter, a six-cylinder unit, is now only available in the Liberty X. The upgraded four-cylinder 2.5-litre has managed the now-common combination of increased power and torque with reduced fuel consumption and emissions.Each of the changes is marginal, power up 4 kW, torque up 6 Nm, fuel consumption down 0.4 L/100 km and CO2 emissions down 11 g/km to make for more efficient vehicles.The Liberty 2.5i GT Premium gets a turbocharged version of the 2.5-litre engine with 195 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque between 2400 and 5200 rpm.Manual transmission (six-speed) is now only available with the 2.5 GT Premium which also has the option of five-speed automatic. The 3.6X only gets the five-speed auto while the lower-specced models all have CVT with paddle shifts.VALUEAnother big selling point for the 2013 Liberty is its price. With help from the high value of the Australian dollar against the drop in the cost of the Japanese yen, Subaru has been able to trim prices with the new entry-level Liberty 2.5i automatic sedan $1000 cheaper than its previous manual equivalent and so $3000 cheaper than the comparable automatic.DESIGNExternally the new Liberty gets a new grille, front fog light surrounds and re-designed alloy wheels. Inside there is a revised steering wheel design, one-touch lane-change indicator and electro-luminescent gauges with an integrated 3.5-inch colour monitor.SAFETYSubaru's EyeSight safety system has now been extended further into the Liberty range. Originally only available in the flagship Liberty 3.6R Premium it now comes as standard in the Premium, GT Premium and Liberty X models.Using stereo cameras mounted inside the windscreen on either side of the interior rear vision mirror EyeSight scans the road ahead and uses triangulation to estimate distances and angles of objects in front of the car. This information is sent to a computer that calculates which objects merely have to be monitored in case things change and those that require immediate action.Where EyeSight anticipates a potential collision with an object in front of the car the computer can activate the brakes. If the speed difference between your car and the one it's approaching is less than 30 km/h it can prevent a collision, above that speed a collision will take place, but the consequences will be less severe.Other standard safety features include seven airbags and Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control system incorporating ABS brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, stability and traction control, hill hold and reversing camera.Also standard are alloy wheels, leather-trimmed steering wheel, Bluetooth telephone and audio streaming, auxiliary and USB jacks, and voice activiation. All models above the entry level 2.5i and the manual GT Premium get Eyesight and satellite navigation.DRIVINGOn the road Subaru Liberty has a real luxury feel to it enhanced by improvements in Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels. Even in the standard 2.5i it really does feel like the kind of car that you could cruise in all day with confidence and emerge fresh and comfortable at journey’s end.VERDICTWhile it’s not what you call a driving enthusiast’s car (have a look around the Subaru showroom and check out the WRX and BRZ if that’s what you want) but nevertheless the underlying driving experience is one of confidence in the key areas of handling and safety.

The Liberty has always stood tall in the Subaru family and now the popular sedan stands even taller – 50 mm to be precise. That’s the extra ground clearance given to the Model Year 2013 Liberty 2.5X and 3.6X.So what does the extra 50 mm do besides easing ‘driveway anxiety’ in the suburbs or giving ‘country comfort’ on bad road surfaces in the bush? It gives the Liberty X a stately bearing – a ‘chest out, shoulders back, head held high’ sort of stance.VALUEComfort extends to the interior with electrically adjustable and heated front seats – the driver’s seat with memory – McIntosh audio system, one-touch lane change indicator, electroluminescent gauges with full-colour multi-function display, auto lights and wipers, Bluetooth and USB connection.Subaru’s innovative EyeSight driver assist system puts the pair up against vehicles deep in luxury car territory far beyond the $44,490 price tag of the Liberty 2.5X, or $55,990 sticker for the Liberty 3.6X.TECHNOLOGYThe 2.5-litre engine with 123 kW on tap at 5600 rpm, connected to the continuously variable transmission, relished an easy going driving style but ran out of steam when pushed hard.DESIGNDespite the added millimeters in height, getting in and out of the Liberty 2.5X test vehicle is surprisingly easy. In fact it’s probably easier to get into the X than a standard height car if your knees are getting old and stiff.Together with a new design radiator grille and front bumper, plus sporty sills with chrome-style highlights, the Liberty X pair make a handsome statement.The 18-inch alloy wheels – silver with 2.5X, gunmetal on 3.6X – also do their bit to giving the vehicles an elevated position – 200 mm ground clearance. The resultant command driving position gives it outstanding all-round visibility.Cabin décor is up there with the latest looks from the designer’s pen with leather trim and brushed gun-metal grey featured on the centre panel, centre console and steering wheel panel.However, it was the new Liberty’s exterior lines that elicited a surprising amount of positive comment from people who came in contact with the test car. Even the most cynical found little to criticise about the looks.SAFETYSubaru’s five-star crash rating, put both Xs on a pedestal for safety.EyeSight, as the name suggests, keeps an eye out for drivers, warning of potential danger ahead and helping avoid trouble with a series of passive and active safety systems plumbed into the car.Ding! ‘Vehicle ahead has moved’. Drivers are entitled to scoff at this, arguing the ‘Blind Freddy’ point, but there are those who ‘take their eye off the ball’ when their vehicle is stationary in a line of traffic to the annoyance of others behind.Other EyeSight features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure and lane sway warning, pre-collision braking and brake assist, plus pre-collision throttle management, and electronic throttle control.A reversing camera adds a further dimension to the driver’s ability to keep out of trouble with other road users, while satellite navigation provides a measure of certainty when travelling in unknown territory.DRIVINGWith an acceleration time of 10.1 seconds to 100 kilometres per hour from rest the four-cylinder is firmly rooted in the middle ground of its segment.The 3.6X six-cylinder, at 7.3 seconds to the 100 km/h, exhibits more sporting appeal but is it worth the $11,000 premium? It’s likely that fascinating EyeSight system no doubt accounts for a big slice of that extra money for the 3.6X.Positives were the characteristic deep ‘boxer note’ coming from under the bonnet and handling stability, thanks to all-wheel drive, on urban road surfaces that left a lot to be desired.VERDICTUpright citizen; with extra ground clearance, the Liberty 2.5X stands tall in the mid-size sedan segment.