Subaru Liberty Reviews

Just 300 of the numbered, limited edition GTs have been put together and at the time of going to press all but 40 of them have been sold.Not bad for a car designed to fill a void between now and when the new model arrives later this year.By way of explanation Subaru was forced to withdraw the Liberty GT from sale at the end of the year when new engine emission regulations came into force.The old 2.0-litre turbocharged donk no longer complies and will be replaced by the 2.5-litre unit from the Impreza.But the company is able to offer the STI tuned limited edition 2.0-litre models under the low volume import rule.Liberty GT tuned by STI is a slick, racy looking unit that offers even higher levels of performance. 2.0-litre turbocharged engine delivers 200kW of power and 343Nm of torque (manual) and 190kW and 343Nm of torque (auto), up from 190kW/330Nm and 180kW/ 310Nm respectively. Result is improved performance, with more linear performance and throttle response, delivering enhanced acceleration at lower engine speed. You get more show with the go, notably STI badging, deeper front spoiler and quad-tip exhaust system. Two STI twin tip sports mufflers complete the mechanicals, enhancing exhaust flow, providing better turbo response and a sportier note. STI springs drop the car 15mm, sports tuned Bilstein front and rear struts have been added and a titanium look front strut brace increases rigidity, boosting handling and steering re- sponse. An STI rear lateral link set reduces suspension friction, improving ride, roadhold- ing and steering precision. Customised body styling includes a front lip and rear boot spoiler enhancing aerodynamics by increasing down force and improving the front lift coefficient (CLf) by about 80 per cent. Unique 18in wheels feature a wider, 7.5in, rim and 215/45R18 Pirelli P Zero Rosso tyres maximise grip. Inside, an all-black interior features leather seats with STI embroidered suede inserts, complete with trademark red Stitching. There's also titanium finish trim on the dash, centre console, door trim and an aluminium pedal set. STI-red luminescent dash cluster lights complete the interior upgrades. The manual variant features a quick shift gear lever. The car is offered in black, silver and dark metallic grey, with two wheel colours. Black cars feature charcoal wheels while Premium Silver and Urban Grey vehicles have brushed silver wheels. Standard features include front, side and curtain airbags, Momo steering wheel, power operated driver's seat and premium, six-stack 13-speaker McIntosh sound system. Although the car takes premium unleaded fuel economy in our test car was excellent at just 9.8L/100km. Pricing for the Liberty GT Tuned by STI starts at $59,490 for the five-speed manual sedan.VERDICT: What's not to like. The STI-tuned GT will be a very collectable model if you're lucky enough to get your hands on one. Only 300 of the $59,490 special edition models have been built.

I love the thrill of the acceleration, the performance of the brakes and the slot-car handling.However, the now-legendary Subaru WRX STi (Subaru Technica International) is simply beyond me for daily driving.I attended the launch last year of the new WRX at the Darlington Park circuit on the Gold Coast hinterland.Sadly, the track is now closed for business and sadly so am I.The track-tuned WRX rides so harshly my kidneys need a breather after about half an hour on our poorly maintained roads over which my belly has wobbled and jiggled enough not only to cause me gross embarrassment but also to make me slightly ill.However, I now feel like everyone is looking at me and pointing, saying "who does that old fool think he is driving around in that hoon car?".The look-at-me whale tail and bonnet scoop simply don't fit my image any more. Yes, it's a sad day when you have to admit one of the best-handling, fastest-accelerating, street-cred cars under $60,000 no longer presses your buttons.However, before we ageing baby boomers pull off our racing gloves to wipe the tears from our eyes, there now is a car for you and me out of the same stable.Introducing the Subaru Liberty GT tuned by Subaru Techinca International.Only 300 of these special edition models have been released and they should go fast (pun intended) since there are so many of us fossil-fuel-burning jelly-belly baby boomers around.And what a gorgeous hunk of machine it is. Even before you get in, there are immediate hints that this is more than just a stock-standard Liberty GT.Around the car there are "STi" badges, an aerodynamic kit, lowered stance and two sets of twin tailpipes, each with "STi" stamped on them.The whale tail is replaced by a more modest foil, while the bonnet scoop is greatly reduced.And it sits on the most gorgeous mags I have ever seen — 18-inch STi alloys shod with Pirelli P Zero Rosso fat rubbers.The whole effect is subtle and tasteful, rather like a Mercedes-Benz AMG or BMW M. Look around at the fine tolerances in the panel fit and the deep lustrous paint and you'll also be reminded of German craftsmanship.Open the door and be greeted by door sills stamped with STi, while there are more badges inside on the black leather seats with red stitching, deep-pile carpet, steering wheel and gear shift.Thankfully, there is no keypad to code your secret pin number in before igniting the fossil fuels like there is in the WRX STi.Fire it up and you are greeted by a red glow from the special instruments and assaulted with a fiery rasp from the rear end.Depending on which model you get, you can slip it into first on the manual or auto with Sportshift steering wheel-mounted switches.Then give it the berries, and from 3500rpm the performance is almost equal to the WRX. Subaru claims the STi engine control unit boosts power from 180kW to 190kW in the auto and 200kW in the manual, just shy of the WRX STi's 206kW. You'd need a stopwatch to notice the difference.However, what you will notice is the difference in the ride. Firmer than the normal GT, but with compliant lowered STi-tuned spring rates and damping to ensure you soak up the worst of our over-taxed tarmac.The usual standards of luxury and quality we've come to expect of Liberty GT continue, including the second-best factory fitted sound system on four wheels.The 13-speaker McIntosh system is no duff-duff boom box, but is crystal clear and only beaten in car audio by the Mark Levinson system in Lexus vehicles.A few extras over the "standard" GT include climate control air, trip computer, eight-way powered driver's seat and Sportshift.Only complaint is no audio controls on the steering wheel.

Now there are as many gears in the auto as there are stars in Liberty's NCAP crash test rating.The spec. B refers to Bilstein suspension and "big" 18in alloy wheels.At $51,000, the Spec B auto is approaching the price point of prestige European models like Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series. But it's a whole lot more car, larger, more powerful, better mannered and just as handsome.And the flat six cylinder engine is a cracker, a smooter alternative to the turbo four in Liberty GT.Auto offers sequential shift mode, close ratio spacing and smooth shifts most of the time. Adaptive system can occasionally hold a ratio a little too long. Auto is actually $1000 less than the six speed manual. Flat six cylinder 3.0-litre engine delivers 180kW/297Nm output– has strong perform- ance across the range. Auto makes the most of engine output. Scores the full leather treatment inside plus premium McIntosh audio, climate control, electric seats and so on. Ride is firm, jiggles on rough roads but has excellent handling when pushed. Great steer- ing, excellent traction from all wheel drive system. Love the aluminium pedals and dash inserts_ adds a splash of flash. Full safety credentials including ABS with electronic brake force distribution, air bags everywhere including side curtains, double pretensioners on the front seat belts and seat belt warning lights on all seats. Roomy interior, adequate for five and a big boot. Spare is full size. Plenty of storage compartments in cabin. Electric sunroof is standard as is Momo wheel. Engine can be economical if driven carefully, hoof it and its upo there with Falconand Commodore. Dual exhausts look cool as do front driving lights. Spec. B sits lower than standard car, looks imposing standing still. Wheels are awesome.VerdictImpressive car– would have to be on the shopping list for European prestige car buyers if only to set a benchmark the Euros couldn't match for the money.

The Spec B has been available in manual for months, but it's the auto that will more likely attract the attention of a buyer in the $50,000-plus segment.Not that I'd suggest that anyone in that buyer range had gotten soft or lazy, but constant clutch use can become tiresome even with the most delightful of gearboxes, so why not try for the best of both worlds.Plus the auto is cheaper ... and that's no misprint. The six-speed manual is a gearbox sourced from the STi-side of Subaru and it obviously comes at price.The svelte new look of the Liberty did not appeal initially, but the look has grown on most people, with the airy cabin providing a bit more space than its predecessor.This top-spec model gets plenty to talk about in the cabin – leather trim on the electrically-adjustable front sports seats sets the tone for the plush cabin. The neat red instruments, lit up beneath the darkened screen, has enthusiastic needles that swing across the dials on start-up.The red rim lighting around the instruments hints at the car's slightly evil nature by flaring up after you've turned the engine off. It's a good sort of evil, the kind of street-sleeper ability that shows little beyond the sharp alloy wheels to suggest the Suby can hit 100km/h a blink over eight seconds. The three-litre flat-six is not an STi-firecracker powerplant in the upper reaches of its rev range, nor does it possess bucket loads of torque.There's more than enough urge when the right pedal is pressed, leaping away from standstill using 180kW and 297Nm to great effect, accompanied by a nice engine note that is best appreciated with windows down.The stance is low and it has a hint of purpose, again thanks to the 18in alloy wheels, but the Bilstein suspension does more than just help the car look good on its rims, giving a well-damped ride and the ability to rip through the corners with finesse. It has plenty of grip – a given with Subaru's all-wheel drive – but the drivetrain's traction doesn't detract from the drive experience.The quality of in-car audio has grown exponentially in recent years and the top-spec Subarus are among the leaders for top-grade sound.The McIntosh sound system is first-rate, thanks to Subaru and McIntosh co-operating to make it part of the car's development, and such attention has paid off. The McIntosh system, with 13 speakers including new midrange speakers and a subwoofer, pumps out serious volume with little audible quality loss.There's no shortage of safety or comfort features – anti-lock brakes with and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, full length side curtain airbags as well as dual front and side airbags, front seatbelts with pretensioners (double for the driver) and load limiters. The driver also gets a tilt-adjustable steering column, with climate control, cruise control, power-adjustable driver's and front passenger seat, sunroof, Momo leather-trimmed steering wheel, trip computer, power mirrors and windows among the standard fare. The Liberty Spec B auto is listed at $50,990 – $1000 less than the model equipped with the STi-sourced six-speed manual gearbox. It's also about $4000 less than the Liberty GT, without losing out terribly in the performance stakes, not to mention the probable lower insurance premiums.Subaru aims this Liberty at the most obvious mid-sized competition – the upcoming Mazda6 MPS – with the prestige German marques of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi also listed as targets.The quality of the cabin as well as the impressive on-road behaviour suggests that this particular Liberty model will go a long way to pinching owners from all of the above.SMALL TORQUESubaru Liberty 3.0R Spec B AutoPrice: $50,990Engine: Three-litre DOHC flat-six with Active Valve Control System (AVCS) and Variable Valve LiftPower: 180kW at 6600rpmTorque: 297Nm at 4200rpmFuel consumption: Claimed combined consumption 11.1 litres/100kmPerformance: 0-100km/h 8.2 seconds, top speed 243km/hBrakes: 310mm ventilated front discs and 290mm ventilated rear discs, with ABS and EBD

Answer: a really, really good car with some different characteristics. That is just what Subaru has done with its latest little tweak of the wonderful Liberty 3.0-litre.Towards the end of last year, Subaru rolled out its 3.0R-B with those same Bilstein shocks, the same 18-inch wheels and the slick six-speed manual from the WRX STi.What they found was that, in the luxury-aligned Liberty market at least, there were plenty of folk who liked the idea of a car with a more sporty attitude, but damn it if they were going to spend their time changing gears.The solution was to perform the same tweaks but leave the standard-issue five-speed sportshift auto in place.The result is a car with all the really good things about the standard 3.0-litre flat-six Liberty but with a slightly tighter, more controlled ride and the willingness, if you are so inclined, to tip it in hard in the twisty bits,As the automatic is the "garden" variety from the standard range, the new model, at $50,990, actually comes in $1000 cheaper than the six-speed manual. Personally, I'd pay the extra to get that STi box.The five-speed automatic is reasonably well sorted, not prone to hunting, and can be a bit of fun to drive in its quasi-manual mode.However, the only real advantage over the manual is in day-to-day traffic, when allowing the car to choose comes into its own.The 180kW/297Nm 3.0-litre engine has reasonable low-end torque but definitely displays its finest character when stirred up.In full automatic, the changes are not really aggressive enough to match the chassis, but if forced to hold its gears the 3.0R-B will stay on urge right through the rev range and up to the cutout at about 7200rpm.You will pay for that sort of driving as fuel economy is not one of the boxer engine's highlight characteristics – more than 13l/100km was not unusual.Heaven only knows what it would have reached without the active valve control and variable-valve lift technology, which improve fuel consumption and emissions while also maximising power.The crisp dynamics of the chassis with Bilstein assistance are complemented by sharp steering that makes the Liberty a delight to push.The ride is acceptably firmer without too much trade-off in quality – a little extra harshness noticeable at low speeds. However, that is forgotten when the speed ramps up, with the B-spec Liberty taut and forgiving. All-wheel drive adds all-weather security to its impressive road-hugging capability. Body: On the highway the cabin is quiet with little noise intrusion to spoil the effect of the brilliant 13-speaker McIntosh sound system. In common with the standard 3.0R, the B-spec car gets a full safety complement of six airbags and impressive five-star crash rating, electric sports seats, cruise control, climate control, dual exhausts, ski hatch, height/reach adjustable Momo leather steering wheel and sunroof.The interior ambience is more European than Japanese – and that is a watershed. Without badges it would be impossible to nominate which of the prestige brands this one might be. There are some nice little touches that mean nothing other than offering a momentary delight – such as the speedo and tacho needles swinging through the full arch of their dials before settling back each time the car is turned on.Silly stuff, but memorable nonetheless.

This particularly blokey Subaru Liberty GT was such a car. The thrill of the traffic light take-off makes life worthwhile with Liberty's turbocharged, two-litre engine and silky gearshift.But the zero to 50km/h sprint takes less time than you can say "hmmm" and it's back to steady coherence of road rules.Just like one of my favourite U2 songs – Running to Stand Still.It makes me wonder why Subaru, which makes its sought-after peppy cousin WRX, bothers with making a more understated version for grown-ups.Subaru Australia general manager Nick Senior has called it "Subaru's interpretation of a European-style sports sedan".Surely this Japanese car maker does not have to kowtow to Euro-styling. It already has a loyal fan club of drivers who understand the delights of a boxer engine and its off-road capabilities.But I'm inclined to think the Liberty GT will be the choice for women, often decision-makers on the type of car a family drives, who must compromise with their men who want the go-fast WRX.Liberty falls somewhere between the sporting man's plaything and the safety-conscious buyer's choice.But while WRX owners hold a badge of honour with a car renowned among rally enthusiasts, Liberty GT owners lack the same grunty pedigree.In fact, its shape and performance seem to blur with other new four-cylinder sedans on the road. I guess that's the problem with compromise.It has all the things that make you go "VROOM" – engine hole thingy in the bonnet, high-performance tyres, fancy neon-like dash lights, black leather interior.Under the bonnet, Subaru says the turbocharged engine can take you from zero to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. Impressive.Plenty of doof-doof too, with a sound system able to blast out from 13 speakers, squawkers, tweeters, woofers and a "super woofer" on the back shelf.But the "it" factor is elusive.Surely Liberty GT is a status symbol for the more family-oriented petrolhead – too young to drive a station wagon; too old not to be laughed at in the sporty WRX.Costing $52,990, it would perhaps make more sense to pay an extra $2000 for the Liberty GT wagon which has more off-road, camper-cred.A word of warning – an Australian summer and the skin-baking, sauna-like qualities of a black leather interior are a bad combination ... no matter how good the airconditioning is.

Latest into the fold is a brace of 3.0-litre, flat six cylinder Liberties complementing the 3.0-litre Outbacks.They are essentially the same vehicle except the Outback is on high heels and has some off road kit while the 3.0R is more of a low-slung sports touring wagon.Same mother, different sons.There are two models, the 3.0R and the R-B with enhanced Bilstein suspension and other tweaks.The 3.0R sells for $52,990 and leaves little to be desired on any score.The 180kW/297Nm flat six has superlative perform- ance and is capably harnessed by a silky five speed automatic transmission only. It doesn't even sound like a boxer engine any more, having more in keeping aurally with a sewing machine.Naturally, power transmission is constant 50/50 all wheel drive.I drove the new Liberty four in Japan last year and it was impressive but with a DOHC six under the bonnet, the car moves to a much higher plane.There was always going to be a six but Subaru Australa definitely has a problem fitting all 12 wagons under the umbrella.Realistically, why would you buy the turbo four cylinder GT wagon when you can buy the six for the same money. It's bigger than the previous Liberty and comfortably takes five inside with plenty of luggage space.Aluminium is selectively used in the chassis to save weight and it gives the car enhanced performance as well as impressive chassis strength.Ride and handling are excellent for such a vehicle thanks in part to the all wheel drive but also to the sporty suspension, low ride height and low profile 17in tyres.Pretty well nothing is left off the standard equipment list, nothing you need anyway. There's also an extensive array of options. Included in the package as standard equipment is climate control air, a premium McIntosh audio system, leather upholstery and power everything.The 3.0R is practical too with folding rear seats, numerous storage compartments, seat back storage nets, map lights and headlights auto off to name just a few handy items.But the car is angled towards an enthusiast type of driver who will revel in its performance and grip, to say nothing of its sexy styling.Take this car to a winding road and give it some stick and you will see what I mean. The auto's sequential shift mode is fun to use and it sits plumb under all cornering conditions. And it's pretty good on fuel.The steering is firm and direct and the brakes are powerful.On top of all this is a little sticker on the driver's window that says the Liberty wagon has been awarded a five star NCAP rating. What more do you need.

Manuals and automatics always feel different, but with the Liberty it is surprising just how different these two cars are.They are both powered by a 3.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine with 180kW of power at 6600rpm and 297Nm of torque at 4200rpm.The interior is the most obvious point of difference. The 3.0R is dressed in ivory leather and features a light-coloured woodgrain strip that defines the centre dash area to reflect its more luxurious feel. It also has woodgrain door highlights.The 3.0R-B has black leather interior and a chrome surround to define the centre dash and emphasise its sporting prowess.The 3.0R-B is the sportier of the two. The B stands for Bilstein, a performance suspension package that gives the 3.0R-B better body control, sharper cornering and overall stability. And, it can be felt.They feel totally different on the road despite both being all-wheel drive. The R-B is a stiffer ride and on the firm side but still compliant on the rougher roads.On the toughest of corners the R-B turns in predictably and has plenty of grip on hand.The R-B is equipped with a version of the WRX STi's six-speed manual gearbox which is blissfully smooth and responsive.The clutch is light and combined with the electronic throttle control with clutch actuation helps stop you stalling.The R-B allows the driver to revel in the throaty six-cylinder tones from the moment the right foot is applied, while the 3.0R is quieter and only hints at what is under the bonnet when the pedal is firmly applied.The 3.0R is noticeably tamer and gives a softer ride. It has a lighter steering and can float a bit when pushed. The five-speed Sportshift automatic is silky smooth.The 3.0R-B sits on 18-inch wheels while the 3.0R only gets 17-inch rims.The manual and automatic average fuel reading fluctuated between 12.4 and 12.6L/100km, on highway and city driving.The Libertys flash a distance-to-empty reminder when the fuel light comes on.Both have the brilliant 13-speaker MacIntosh sound system which gives great quality sound but the electronic readout disappears in certain angles of sunlight.Both boast a five-star ANCAP crash rating and are equipped with ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, full-length curtain airbags, dual front airbags, dual front side airbags, front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters and a three-point rear centre seat belt.The 3.0R gains vehicle dynamics control (VDC) and a shift-lock mechanism which means the ignition must be on and the brake pedal depressed before the gear shifter can be moved from park.Inside, standard features include an adjustable steering column, climate control airconditioning, cruise control, eight-way adjustable power front seats and speed sensitive intermittent windscreen wipers.Also standard is a sunroof, leather gear shift, momo steering wheel, multi-function trip computer, power everything, DataDot security technology, electronic throttle control and full-size spare.The sedan and wagon share the same nose and while the sedan has a nicely shaped rear, the wagon is destined to be the star.The low-slung sweeping roofline that seamlessly tapers to the rear is accentuated by the rear spoiler, the whole shape giving the wagon an instant attraction.The sedan easily fits the weekly shopping in the rear with a 433-litre boot capacity but is 67 litres shy of the its rival, the Mazda6.The wagon's boot is expanded to 459 litres which grows to 1628 (with sunroof) with the rear seats folded flat. Overall, the wagon is 55mm longer and 45mm taller.Both benefit from Subaru's high build quality and clean but elegant finish.The 3.0R-B sedan is $51,990 and the 3.0R sedan is $50,990. The 3.0R wagon is $52,990 while the 3.0R-B wagon is $53,990.

But in soul the pair of all-wheel-drive Libertys could not be further apart.There is the 3-litre R and a 3-litre R-B.The B stands for Bilstein, giving it a performance edge in the suspension. These Bilstein uprights make all the difference by lavishing the B-spec variant with a harder edge for greater body control, hard-nosed cornerning and a push-me-to-the-edge of adhesion approach.About the only other way you can tell these two apart without actually getting behind the wheel and haring into a complex of flowing s-bends is by the black leather trim and the 18-inch seven-spoke wheels and Bridgestone Potenzas that are hooked up to either end of both axles in the B-spec.Both are powered by the silky 3-litre six-cylinder engine that produces an impressive 180kW of power.A figure that is not too shabby considering its relatively low capacity and reliance on natural atmospheric conditions rather than artificially rammed air.First-up the B-spec Liberty that uses a version of the WRX STi's 6-speed manual gearbox is blissfully sweet. There is a European feel to its performance with its sprinting capabilities at 80km/h or 100km/h in fourth gear giving it the power to overtake slower traffic without a whimper.Around tough off-camber corners, the B-spec turns another trick, offering balance, body control and stability from the stiffer Bilstein suspension. While the ride is flat and firm it remains compliant even over chopped-up bitumen of the kind that springs up on Queensland B-roads after heavy summer rains.The engine and suspension are highlights of a package that remains inherently Japanese in style and flavour but wants for nothing in substance.Up front the balance of the horizontally opposed boxer engine's low reciprocating mass and positioning well back from the front of the car gives it an almost four-cylinder feel in weight.But it's not until you press the right pedal with more authority and let all the horses gallop that you are reminded there are six cylinders firing on song.There are hardly any dull moments in the B-spec which is endowed with soft leather seats with perforated seat cushions, and as with the standard 3-litre and the 2-litre GT which have just joined the 2005 Liberty family, it is pumped with the dynamic 13-speaker McIntosh sound system.Stepping into the 3-litre R is a bit of a shock; a shock in that it is armed with a totally different persona from the B-spec jigger.It is powered by the same 180kW motor that extracts almost a neat 300Nm of torque but instead of the close-ratio 6-speed manual, it uses the responsive 5-speed automatic with the Sportshift sequential capability.While the auto is unsurprisingly a bit tamer than the manual, it is the undercarriage that first emerges as the major difference. It is way softer and the body floats around a bit more when stressed but this characteristic is sure to win its share of admirers.Away from the harder black interior the standard 3-litre R is dressed with ivory leather inside for a more luxurious feel. The tone of this car strikes a fine balance between luxury and performance whereas the B-spec is slanted toward the latter as its main trait.Inside there is a change to the trip meter which now displays fuel consumption in litres/100km instead of kilometres a litre.It's a change for the better although the electronic readouts are a tad hard to read in certain degrees of sunlight.

The number of ageing Subarus still going around – many two decades old – impressed GM. So did the evolution of Subaru's range from dinky little commercials and terminally boring cars and wagons in the 1980s to vehicles offering decent performance, character and, with STi and GT badging affixed, driving excitement as good as it gets.The rally-inspired WRX may have been the halo car for the brand once better known for Brumby utes and Sherpa vans.But it has been the sustained success of Forester, Outback, Liberty and Impreza that has cemented Subaru's presence and assured its future.The fourth-generation Liberty is typical of the manner in which Subaru has continually improved and refined its models.Once again, the Japanese car maker has come up with a fat portfolio of improvements – not merely a bit of fresh metal and new-design headlights.Less weight, more power, better economy with improved emissions, a larger body for increased cabin space, a more rigid monocoque to improve handling – not to mention better running, turning and stopping. All this, plus more and a 5 per cent fall in the price of the volume model, with the help of favourable dollar-yen forex rates. The new Liberty range consists of a 101kW two-litre manual sedan at $30,990, rising to the popular 121kW 2.5i from $34,990.The range-topping GT is powered by a single turbocharged two-litre motor – like all Subaru engines employing a horizontally opposed Boxer design. A wagon variant is available in every grade, including, for the first time in 10 years, a turbocharged wagon.The GT sedan and wagon – at $50,990 and $52,990 respectively – are aimed at buyers looking for a versatile performance vehicle, well equipped and sensibly priced. The 2004 Liberty is 60mm longer and 45mm wider than before, and comes dressed in aluminium bonnet, bumper beams and wagon tailgate to reduce the all-up weight.As has been the trend of late across its range, Subaru have developed body styling which is appealing from any angle, projecting a strong brand image.Both sedan and wagons in the Liberty line-up look more than capable of taking on similarly-priced European products.Liberty comes well equipped in all forms. New features for the 2004 model year include new steering suspension components and brakes, drive-by-wire throttle, new five-speed automatic on GT models with Tiptronic control, airbags in top-line models, turn indicators in the door mirrors and more.The entry level comes with anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, dual front airbags and front-seat-belt pretensioners and load limiters.Comfort and convenience kit includes adjustable steering column, airconditioning, six-speaker sound system, cargo area light, cruise control, height-adjustable driver's seat, immobiliser system, multi-function trip computer, power steering, mirrors and windows and sports seats.Both car and wagon rides on 16in alloy wheels. The 2.5i comes with the larger, naturally aspirated engine, climate-control airconditioning, 17in alloy wheels, dual exhaust and front fog lamps.The GT picks up two-litre turbocharged horizontally opposed engine with active valve control system, dual front side airbags, Momo steering wheel, six-stack CD player and, unusually, a cassette player.A GT with premium pack – which adds $5000 to the bottom line – comes with leather trim, sunroof, curtain airbags, 13-speaker sound system and eight-way adjustable power driver's seat.Bonnet scoops, 17in alloy wheels, colour-coded mirrors and door handles, dual exhaust. fog lamps, rear roof spoiler and rear wiper on the wagon identify the GT from other models in the range.The GT really is an excellent package in either sedan or wagon forms. They are smart-looking vehicles and well capable of competing on both dynamics and price with similarly priced Euro models.GT models run a new twin-scroll turbocharger with titanium turbine which is 30 per cent lighter than before. To overcome the inherent problem of turbo lag, the turbine diameter has been increased to reduce response time by 40 per cent. As as result, acceleration is fiery, with a zero-to-100km/h sprint in just 6.8 seconds – not quite as quick as a lighter-bodied WRX, which does its dash in about six seconds.The GT produces 180kW – 12kW more than the WRX – and churns out really good thrust in the mid ranges. Handling is remarkably good, and hard cornering highlights the exceptional chassis design – plus the value of all-wheel drive, the common feature of all Subaru's imported to Australia.At a glanceSubaru has not put a foot wrong in recent years.Year-to-date sales are up 15 per cent. And that is double that of the record-breaking market.Forester and Outback claim 25.5 per cent of the compact sports utility segment.The new Liberty line-up is playing a huge part in Subaru's growth with sales a massive 65 per cent up on last year.