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The latest version of the Liberty and Outback from Subaru have arrived and are being snapped up by existing and new Subaru owners.Both cars are longer, wider and bolder than the previous model and the styling will take while to get used to for a lot of people, but I like it.
The range goes from high $38K to $62K on the road and, certainly at the top of the range, the Liberty GT, or the Outback 3.6R Premium, there is little missing, apart from an auto dipping mirror and self closing tailgate. The first of which is a particularly strange omission, given everything else the car has as standard equipment.
Other cars which people will consider in this range, especially as a wagon are the Mazda 6, Ford Modeo, VW Passat and even the Skoda Octavia RS. I have driven all of these cars and I think the Subaru does the best all round job.
A few weeks ago I had the range topping VW Passat R36 for the weekend and whilst this is one hell of a performer, the drive was just too hard on NSW's terrible road surfaces. Over a 500klm trip, we were jolted into submission and could just not handle the Passat as an 'all time' family drive car. By comparison, the range topping Liberty GT has the power without the super stiff, unforgiving suspension set up. It also has all of the 'gizmos' as standard, and costs almost $20 K less.
Further down the range the new 2.5 CVT automatic transmission is a delight, even offering a paddle shift manual mode. The entry levels trims are a bit wanting and I am not big on the new dash layout, but improved performance with reduced consumption and emissions should be a winner. I expect a lot of people will go for the $50K 2.5i Sports Premium, looks just like the GT, without the bonnet scoop, auto lights, auto wipers and smart key, but a lot of car for the money.
Add to this the undoubted Subaru reliability, sure footed AWD handling, 5 Star safety and excellent resale and you would be mad not to at least consider the new Liberty...or the Outback if you need that extra clearance and might just one day go off the bitumen.
A typical RV forecast of the range, courtesy of Glass's, has the 4 year, 80,000 klm at 39% of RRP. Better than most.
Strange that the 3.6R Premium is not available as a Wagon and that the upcoming, long awaited diesel is only to be a manual initially, but I guess what we have is great for starters!
