Subaru Forester, Liberty and Outback updated

Subaru has announced a raft of specification changes for its Forester, Liberty and Outback models.

The Forester has been facelifted and the manufacturer claims that NVH has been reduced. Additionally the Forester features enhanced instrumentation and revised suspension components for improved stability. Forester 2.5i-S and 2.0XT variants also gain adaptive headlights.

Cosmetic changes have been introduced with a new grille, new front bumper, fog light bezels (N/A Forester 2.0i-L), restyled 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels and LED tail lights. Minor technical tweaks to the continuously variable transmission (CVT), electric power steering and stability control have respectively resulted in quantifiable shift 'steps', steering feel available even with the engine switched off, and improved turn-in.

Prices are unchanged and range from $29,990 for the entry-level Forester 2.0i-L manual to $47,990 for the Forester 2.0XT Premium.

“Forester's multi award-winning status over nearly 19 years is clear proof of its ongoing appeal,” said Subaru Australia MD, Nick Senior.

“Its track record for refined yet durable packaging, five-star safety, high-grade engineering and rock-solid retained value speaks volumes.

“You only have to see the number of first-generation Foresters still on road to understand why this model's credentials are top-of-class.”

For the larger Liberty model, Subaru is upgrading safety with what it calls 'a package of Vision Assist features' for the premium variants.

These new features – now standard on the Liberty 2.5i Premium and Liberty 3.6R – comprise blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, electrochromatic rear-view mirror, high beam assist and rear cross traffic alert.

All variants will now come with an emergency stop signal feature, which activates the car's hazard lights in the event of an emergency detected.

In other changes, the Liberty is now quieter and Subaru claims that changes to the dampers have also improved the car's handling in corners. A new colour has been added to the exterior colour palette, Dark Pearl Blue.

At the entry level, the Liberty 2.5i gains fold-in exterior mirrors. The Liberty 2.5i and 3.6R variants are now delivered to the new-car buyer with guaranteed up to date map data for the on-board satellite navigation system and updates for three years after the purchase.

Pricing is unchanged for the base-model Liberty 2.5i ($29,990), but the 2.5i Premium ($35,990) and the 3.6R ($42,490) have both risen by $500.

“Subaru is renowned for pioneering safety technologies from ABS to airbags and EyeSight, and Vision Assist features are the latest step in our safety-first journey,” Senior said.

“We introduced some of these features in premium WRX and WRX STI variants last year and, as we've demonstrated so many times over decades, we follow a deliberate path of offering new safety technologies to a wider audience over time.”

Based heavily on the Liberty wagon, the Outback SUV now comes with Subaru's EyeSight facility as standard for all automatic (CVT) variants, including the diesel 2.0D Premium variant. This system employs a stereo camera to provide input for the following systems: Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Pre-Collision Braking Assist, Pre-Collision Steering Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Front Vehicle Start Alert.

Vision Assist features now standard for the Liberty 2.5i Premium and 3.6R models are now also incorporated as standard for the Outback 2.5i Premium, 2.0D Premium and 3.6R. And like the Liberty range, the Outback also sees the introduction of the emergency stop signal facility across the range.

Every Outback is now fitted with halogen daytime running lights integrated with the front fog lights. Electric fold-in mirrors are now standard across the range with their inclusion on the MY16 Outback 2.5i and 2.0D variants. The latter now comes equipped with auto-on/off headlights and rain-sensing wipers. Like the Liberty, Dark Blue Pearl is a new colour available across the Outback range.

The Subaru Map Update Program for the Liberty above also applies to the Outback in 2.5i Premium, 2.0D Premium and 3.6R variants already kitted out with satellite navigation.

“Outback's appeal has never been greater,” said Nick Senior, “but with the strategic addition of EyeSight to our diesel variants, plus Vision Assist features in premium versions across the range, we can only see more growth opportunities for Outback.

“The combination of amazing long-range cruising and EyeSight in Outback diesel makes it an irresistibly safe package in rural and regional areas.

“The Vision Assist features also add to driver confidence in every premium variant and make Outback's value an even more compelling proposition.”

At $35,990 the entry-level Outback 2.5i's pricing is unchanged, but other variants have risen in price ranging from $500 to $1500. The new pricing for Outback – with increases where applicable in brackets – is now as follows:

Outback 2.5i – $35,990
Outback 2.5i Premium – $41,990 (+$500)
Outback 2.0D manual – $36,490 (+$1000)
Outback 2.0 CVT – $38,490 (+$1000)
Outback 2.0D Premium manual – $42,990 (+$1500)
Outback 2.0D Premium CVT – $44,990 (+1500)
Outback 3.6R – $48,490 (+$500)

Read our review of the new 2016 Subaru Forester