2018 Subaru Liberty pricing revealed
More equipment plus underbody and styling revisions for Subaru's mid-size sedanSubaru's upgraded 2018 Liberty range will land in Australian showrooms this month bearing extra equipment, added safety and underbody and styling changes.
Subaru Australia has confirmed the Liberty's starting price will remain unchanged at $30,240 (plus on-road costs), but there are minor price rises for other models.
The range comprises three variants: Liberty 2.5i ($30,240), Liberty 2.5i Premium ($36,640 — up $400) and Liberty 3.6R ($43,140 — up $400).
Changes for 2018 begin cosmetically, with a re-worked front grille flanked by LED daytime running lights, revised bumper designs, and wing mirrors purportedly claimed to improve aero and wind noise.
There are new 18-inch alloy wheel designs across all variants, along with a new colour, Crimson Pearl Red.
Inside, the Liberty gets a larger display screen measuring 6.5 inches on 2.5i and 8.0 inches on 2.5i Premium and 3.6R variants.
The centre screen projects revised functions including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with enhanced voice recognition. The entry model continues without hardwired satellite-navigation.
In addition, there are new interior materials and stitching, a newly designed steering wheel and the installation of two additional USB points in the back of the centre console, affording access to rear seat passengers.
On the safety front Subaru has enhanced its suite of equipment on 2.5i Premium and 3.6R with new front view monitor, side view monitor and Adaptive Driving Beam.
All Liberty variants get an enhanced version of Subaru's Eyesight package, bringing lane keep assist, enhanced pedestrian avoidance and pre-collision braking assist up to 50km/h (from 30km/h) - each courtesy of a higher resolution and more accurate stereo camera.
Subaru has also revisited some key underbody areas of the Liberty for 2018.
Shock absorber settings have been changed to "reduce the amount of roll and push up from the road" -- the translation being purportedly smoother handling and more immediate steering response.
In addition, the mid-sizer's electric power steering has been re-tuned and the brakes are said to offer improved pedal feel.
The Liberty's CVT automatic has been tweaked for greater response, improved fuel use and refinement. The 'manual mode' in the 2.5-litre engine and transmission now has an added ratio, at seven gears instead of six.
The 2.5-litre engine boasts incremental improvements - reduced weight, tweaked ignition timing, new alternator and revised gear ratios - to improve efficiency by the order of three per cent on its predecessor.
The four-cylinder engine's overall outputs remain unchanged at 129kW/235Nm, while the 3.6-litre six-cylinder employed in the 3.6R remains largely unchanged, with identical 191kW/350Nm and a claimed fuel use rating of 9.9L/100km combined.
Keep an eye on motoring.com.au's full review of the 2018 Liberty later this week.
2018 Subaru Liberty pricing (plus ORCs):
Liberty 2.5i CVT — $30,240
Liberty 2.5i Premium CVT — $36,640
Liberty 3.6R CVT — $43,140
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
