Liberty gets Subaru Outback’s tweaks

AS NIGHT follows day, Subaru’s Liberty medium sedan has gained the same mid-model upgrades as its closely-related Outback SUV sibling, just two weeks later.

And like the Outback, the entry price for the Liberty has been held at 2017 levels – $30,240 plus on-road costs for the Liberty 2.5i – but prices for the two upper models, the 2.5i Premium and six-cylinder 3.6 R, rise $400 to $36,640 and $43,140 respectively.

All variants get cosmetic tweaks to the grille, bumpers, headlights and external mirrors, as well as a bigger in-dash infotainment screen – 6.5-inch in Liberty 2.5 and 8.0-inch in upper variants – that is now armed with Apply CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and better voice recognition.

The Tom Tom-sourced sat-nav in the upper-spec variants has been upgraded for ease of use. It now includes automatic work and home ETA information on the home page without needing to input the address.

Safety also has come in for a lift with the addition of Subaru’s third-generation EyeSight anti-collision system that now includes lane-keep assist.

The four-cylinder variants benefit from a range of refinements to the 2.5-litre boxer petrol engine, including lighter internal components, changed ignition timing and friction reduction measures to improve driveability, and improve fuel consumption (by 3.0 per cent).

The continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that is standard across the range now gets seven “speeds” instead of six, with a taller highway cruising ratio for fuel savings.

Even the viscosity of the rear differential oil has been reduced to cut drag on the driveline.

The premium variants get LED headlights with steering response and adaptive high beam, as well as side- and front-view monitors.

All Liberty variants get LED daytime running lights within the headlight cluster.

Design wise, the revised grille dispenses with the metallic look for a single chrome bar – intersected by the Subaru logo – and a couple of blacked-out lower bars.

New-design 18-inch wheels are fitted to all models, along with re-designed wing mirrors sitting on new mounts that are shorter than before for reduced drag and wind noise.

Subaru Australia managing director Colin Christie said Liberty had long been a cornerstone of Subaru’s range and reputation in Australia.

“The balance of specification, safety and style make the revised Liberty a compelling package – even more so when you factor in the sure-footed all-wheel drive fun driving factor,” he said.

“It also highlights Subaru’s long-held commitment to safety, with third-generation EyeSight adding even more capability to a driver assist system that is recognised by insurers and safety experts alike for its capability in helping avoid or reduce the impact of accidents.”

2018 Subaru Liberty pricing*

2.5i (a)	$30,240
2.5i Premium (a)	$36,640
3.6R (a)	$43,140

*Excludes on-road costs