Subaru Liberty 2018 Review

Nip and tuck

There are cutting edge cars, and there are cars that play to people's sense of sensibility and familiarity.

The 2018 Subaru Liberty is unapologetically a candidate for the latter, and that's just fine. The mainstay of the Subaru fleet, the Liberty has been a loyal offering since its inception in the 1980s, during which time it has been a default choice in the driveways of many Australian families.

In short, if you or your kids didn't grow up with a Subaru Liberty, you knew someone that did. Mechanically robust, clever and thoughtful - the Liberty formula is far from cutting edge, but it has never needed to be.

Now, Subaru has updated its mid-size Liberty sedan for 2018, bringing extra equipment, added safety and underbody and styling changes

As sure as the wind blows, there is a familiar 2.5-litre Boxer four-cylinder engine under the bonnet (along with a flagship flat six), an all-wheel drive system, sturdy dynamics and the latest safety.

That the 2018 Subaru Liberty strives for the same redeeming attributes for a familiar $30,240 (plus on-road costs) starting price of previous model years is admirable. But, there are many areas where the Liberty is outshone by newer, fancier rivals.

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First impression

Settling into the driver's seat of the Liberty really typifies what this car is all about. Our 2.5i Premium model ($36,640 plus on-road costs) offers a thoughtful layout replete with a broad, well-padded chair, decent incidental storage comprising a large centre console, hidey-holes and myriad cupholders.

It is a classy and compelling cabin environment — one clad in soft- touch materials, thick carpets and quality finishes. Equally impressive is a new 8.0-inch touchscreen (6.5-inch on the entry model) conveying new functions including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Notwithstanding the addition of CarPlay, some will criticise that hard-wired sat-nav still isn't available on the entry model. You'll need to step up to the 2.5i Premium to get it.

As is the norm for Liberty, room is plentiful across the five-seat layout. Second-row occupants are afforded decent leg and shoulder proportions and benefit from two USB points (taking the cabin total to four). Further back, the Liberty's 493-litre boot features a wide opening and decent proportions, especially since it houses a full-size alloy spare underfloor.

You're also getting access to some serious safety credentials, backed by a five-star ANCAP rating. Indeed, Subaru has enhanced the Liberty's suite of equipment on 2.5i Premium and 3.6R with new front view monitor, side view monitor and Adaptive Driving Beam.

All 2018 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.

Where the 2018 Liberty begins to lose some of its appeal is in aftersales. At a time when many manufacturers are moving to five-year warranties (and more), the Subaru is backed by an average three-year/unlimited kilometre scheme.

In addition, Subaru's service intervals are set at every six months/12,500km, which is more frequent than key rivals. Over the space of three years of ownership, the Liberty will set owners back $2281, according to the brand's capped price servicing calculator.

On the road

The Liberty is something of a mixed bag on the road, combining the best of surefooted driving characteristics with some not-so-great dynamic traits.

Firstly, the engine… Offering up 129kW and 235Nm, it is hardly the latest word in advancement, bringing a fuel consumption rating of 7.3L/100km and a 9.6sec 0-100km/h time. But it works well offering useable torque and a quaint 'Boxer' thrum as it goes about it business. Equally, the CVT auto transmission pushes for economy where required and enables smooth take-offs and in-gear pick-up.

Press a little harder and the engine tends to lose some of its shine. With peak torque reached from 4000rpm, and peak power 5800rpm, you clearly need to rev it but at best the engine feels languid under harder acceleration, breaking into a thrashy chorus with some unwanted assistance from the CVT.

It all feels a bit of the pace if we're honest, though Subaru's all-wheel drive system and traditional surefootedness on loose or wet surfaces remain redeeming features.

Elsewhere, the Liberty offers incremental improvements over its predecessor, without re-writing the rule book.

Changes to the car's suspension and steering - outlined in our pricing new story - have endowed the Subaru with a sportier, more responsive ride and handling package than before.

Most pronounced is the faster steering rack and suspension, which tends to better control the body through the corners while still maintaining a healthy comfort-oriented bent. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres also play their part in bringing stability during fast directional changes.

The trade-off is ride comfort. The car's 18-inch wheel and tyre combination busily transfers sharper bumps from the road into the cabin. It is never crashy or obtrusive, but it is noticeable on B-grade country bitumen.

Elsewhere, the Liberty is comfortable and refined, shutting out the bulk of road noise and wind noise and creating a strong case for longer cross-country drive.

Stable, thoughtful and conservative, Subaru's mainstay sedan continues along a well-worn but proven path.

2018 Subaru Liberty 2.5i Premium pricing and specifications:
Price: $36,640 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 129kW/235Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed continuously variable / dual-clutch / automatic / manual
Fuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 167g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP