Subaru's updated Liberty sedan will be unveiled next week at the Chicago Auto Show.
New looks arrive in the form of revised front and rear styling while the interior upgrades include the use of higher quality materials and extra technology such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
An active LED headlight system is available and the Eyesight cameras are now used to control the auto high beam functions.
There are no changes to the driveline, as the four- and six-cylinder engines carry over along with the CVT automatic transmission. However, a re-tune of the CVT's ECU is claimed to deliver a better response. The four-cylinder engine picks-up a shorter-pitch timing chain and revised timing, both aimed at reducing noise.
Most obvious in the styling changes up-front is the wider hexagonal grille now with a wing element and the new bumper with wider, lower air intakes. The C-shaped headlights (now with 'Konoji LED DRLs) and indicators team with new horizontal lines extending from the grille to provide a look which Subaru says mimics the horizontal movement of the pistons in the Boxer engines.
Rear styling changes provide the impression of a wider stance though dimensions are unchanged.
Exterior mirrors also gain a new shape - which again is part of efforts to reduce noise transmitted to the interior. There are also thicker rear wheel arches and sound-insulating glass for the front side windows.
Inside is a redesigned centre console with either a 6.5-inch or 8.0-inch display screen, revised climate control switches and - on upscale models - high-gloss black and silver trim highlights.
Infotainment comes from Subaru's latest Starlink multimedia system with Bluetooth wireless capability, iPod control, smartphone integration and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Two USB ports now grace the rear of the centre console for backseat passengers.
On the safety front, as well as the availability of active LED headlights which move in accordance with steering wheel inputs, the updated Subaru Liberty adds Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) which detects objects behind.
The updated Subaru Liberty is set to arrive in 2018 with more details to be announced closer to launch.
9 Comments
Mech | 2017-02-06 06:28:41
... but will there be a wagon or a turbo?
Jcarnut | 2017-02-06 06:39:37
it could be any brand of car, hyundai, toyota, whatever its boring to look at
Roger Ng | 2017-02-06 21:12:28
I've owned two Subarus. A Liberty and a Forester. The 2000 model Liberty Heritage was recently written off when being driven by my son. Prior to that unfortunate incident we had 16 years of trouble free and engaging motoring (the car was still driving like new with almost 200k on the odometer). I replaced it with a VW Golf. The word soul-less comes to mind everytime I drive that car. I just don't understand the Golf phenomenon. Back to Subaru...what has happened to this company? I remember when Wheels magazine compared a Liberty to a BMW 3 series and gave the nod to the Liberty. I remember when the WRX was being compared to sports cars many times its price. Subaru has been lost to us. It appears as though the engineers have lost the war and the marketers have taken over. How else can you explain the current use of CVT in all non-manual Subarus? How do you explain their bland styling? Not that anyone ever brought a Suby for the styling. The marketers have tamed the wild beast and now nobody wants them anymore. I still love the idea of AWD and a boxer engine but the aforementioned CVT is like applying a mechanical dose of valium to that formula. You've lost me Subaru and you probably lost me on purpose.
Teddy Roger Ng | 2017-02-06 21:39:55
Roger Ng, don't you test drive your cars before you buy them? If you did, it's odd to say it's a souless drive now.
stevecro Roger Ng | 2017-02-07 20:48:24
Roger, I have a theory that the Japanese generally battened down the hatches at WFC time while the Germans went full bore ahead. It might be a while before their technology is anything but catchup.
Terry300 | 2017-02-06 21:39:06
So looking forward to the new model. Had a Liberty for 4 years now and the car drives like new, very hard to move away from such a great car. I love the CVT, the cruise control works fantastic and I have driven to Perth and back three times plus a Melbourne Gold Coast trip straight without any issues. I am not interested in great power as it's a waste, as a friend from Germany once said to me why buy a powerful car when you can't drive it legally.
Teddy Terry300 | 2017-02-06 22:04:33
It's true, you can't fang it at 250kph here in Aust like you can on German autobahns, but the joys of driving a powerful car, for those who appreciate that and can afford it, usually canot be emulated in 'adequately' powered cars. Normal cars can take you from A to B in any style you desire, but they can never thrill you every time you drive it the way a car properly designed around a powerful engine can do.
Peteralexander | 2017-02-06 23:21:36
I miss my Liberty GT wagon with STi 6sp box. So versatile and i threw a few grand at it and created a 400whp road and track demon that swallowed cars of a much more expensive ilk, not to mentioning out handling and out braking them. Unfortunately i won't be back to Subaru until a proper full size turbo wagon is offered which i don't see happening. However a turbo H6 like super gramps on mighty car mods might be fun.
stevecro | 2017-02-07 20:45:41
I love that 3.6 Boxer motor but they don't seem to be spending money or effort getting consumption down (power, driveability is fine). And a droning CVT instead of a good 6 speed auto? I was brought up on manuals and don't think I can live with the sound similar to a slipping clutch