Subaru is keeping the Liberty relevant in the increasingly crowded mid-size sedan market place with a refresh for 2018.
With an unchanged entry-level pricing of $30,240 plus on-road costs, the new 2018 Liberty has been given a subtle nip and tuck to its exterior which sees its grille, bumpers, headlights and wing mirrors updated. This is accompanied with stylish new 18-inch alloy wheel designs feature across all variants.
Far from just a styling exercise, the Liberty’s interior also gains a larger 8-inch central display (in 2.5i Premium and 3.6R variants) that features a new generation infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Elsewhere in the updated cabin, there are new instrument panel stitching and newly designed steering wheel, as well as two additional USB ports in the back of the centre console.
Safety has been given a boost, too, with the Subaru’s third generation EyeSight driver assist system updated with a new higher resolution forward facing camera and Lane Keep Assist feature. The upper-spec Liberty Premium variants now add a suite of Vision Assist features including Steering Responsive Headlights, Adaptive Driving Beam, Side View Monitor and Front View Monitor. Collision mitigation steps up a notch with the operation range of Pre-collision Braking expanded, allowing earlier object recognition. Impact avoidance performance is also said to have improved through better control algorithm.
The 2018 update extends to the Liberty’s suspension and transmission, both of which has been revisited and tweaked for greater refinements and response.
Carried over from before, the Liberty’s four and six-cylinder boxer engines continue to displace 2.5-litre and 3.6-litre respectively, but thoroughly refined with updates to their crankshaft, intake and exhaust valves, alternator and crank pulley for improved refinement and efficiency. The 2.5L engine produces 129kW @ 5800rpm and 235Nm @ 4000rpm, while the 3.6L unit develops 191kW @ 6000rpm and 350Nm @ 4400 rpm. Both engines drive through Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system paired with CVT automatic.
2018 Subaru Liberty range and pricing (excluding on-roads)
Liberty 2.5i CVT $30,240
Liberty 2.5i Premium CVT $36,640
Liberty 3.6R CVT $43,140
2018 Subaru Liberty specification
LIBERTY 2.5i
SAFETY
- ABS anti-lock brakes with four-wheel discs and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Auto door lock
- Brake Assist
- Child seat anchor points – ISOFIX
- Curtain airbags – full length
- Driver’s knee airbag
- Dual front airbags
- Dual front side airbags
- EyeSight driver assist system – with addition of Lane Keep Assist
- Fog lights – front
- Front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters
- Hill holder
- Rear door child lock
- Reversing camera
- Seatbelt indicator lights – all seats
- Side intrusion bars
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
- Three-point A/ELR rear centre seatbelt
- Vehicle Dynamics Control electronic stability program
INTERIOR
- Bluetooth/MP3/WMA/AUX/CD/voice command compatible six-speaker audio touchscreen (6.5-inch) system – Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto connectivity
- Boot area light
- Climate control air conditioning – dual zone, with rear vents
- Cup holders
- Electric parking brake
- Height and reach adjustable steering column
- Height adjustable driver’s seat
- Immobiliser security system
- Leather trim gear shift
- Map lights (2)
- Leather steering wheel with audio, Multi-Function Display and cruise control buttons
- Multi-information display
- Paddle shift gear change
- Power steering, mirrors and windows
- Rain sensing auto windscreen wipers
- Rear air vents
- Remote central locking
- Remote fuel lid release
- Seatback storage pockets
- Silver interior trim highlights
- Two remote central locking keys
- USB charge ports – rear seats (x2)
- Vanity mirrors
- 60/40 split/fold rear seat
EXTERIOR
- 18-inch alloy wheels – full-sized alloy spare
- Colour-coded mirrors and door handles
- Headlights auto off – dusk sensing
- Headlight integrated LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
- Light sensing headlights – auto on/off
- Privacy glass (rear)
- Rain sensing wipers
OTHER FEATURES
- Auto Stop-Start
- Auto boot unlock
- Cruise control – adaptive option with EyeSight
- DataDot security technology
- Electronic throttle control
- EURO 6 compliant
- Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission
- SI-Drive (two-mode)
- Three-year unlimited kilometre warranty
- 2.5 litre DOHC horizontally opposed boxer engine – 129 Kilowatts of power at 5800 rpm and 235 Newtonmetres of torque at 4000 rpm.
LIBERTY 2.5i PREMIUM ADDS:
- Electric adjustable driver and front passenger seat – driver’s lumbar support
- Electric sunroof
- Enhanced infotainment system
- Folding mirrors – powered and heated
- Front wiper de-icer
- Heated front seats
- Keyless entry
- Leather trim
- LED low beam headlights with washers
- Piano black trim highlights
- Push button start
- Satellite navigation (8-inch screen) – factory-fitted
- SI-Drive
- Smart key
- Vision Assist features:
- Front View Monitor (FVM)
- Side View Monitor (SVM)
- Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB)
- Steering Responsive Headlights (SRH)
LIBERTY 3.6R ADDS (TO 2.5i PREMIUM SPEC):
- Chrome side sill garnish
- Engine cover
- harman/kardon 12-speaker sound system, including sub-woofer
- Six-cylinder 3.6-litre engine produces 191 kW of power at 6000 rpm and 350 Nm at 4400 rpm – EURO6
- Three-mode SI-Drive