The dilemma

Jacob is helping his son buy his first car. His son, not unexpectedly, doesn’t want a car that screams ‘cheap first car’ and has been looking at old BMW 3-Series and other luxury-badged metal. Jacob would prefer he buy something newer and more reliable, even if it’s not as cool. After a long battle of wits Subaru’s fourth-generation Liberty 2.5i seems to be one car they’re both happy with. Are they on the right track?

The budget

$7500 to $10,000

The shortlist

Kudos to Jacob and his son because the fourth-gen Liberty is a great compromise for this kind of dilemma.

Its grown-up character and sweet driving credentials, plus some positive rub-off from its WRX sibling and other Subarus, make it infinitely more appealing than a sensible small hatch. Its solid safety and reliability, meanwhile, mean mum and dad don’t have to fret about the safety of their cherished loved one.

One can’t ignore, however, that the mid-sized segment that played host to this particular Liberty also had some other very talented contenders in its midst. So while the Subaru gets a big tick, we wouldn’t be putting it up on a pedestal, unopposed, quite yet.

2003-08 Honda Accord Euro, from $3400*

This Honda – with its sharp looks, willing 2.4-litre petrol engine, slick-shifting manual-gearbox option and agile handling – delivers a bigger emotional payoff than budget hatches in this price range.

It’s on the thrifty side for a mid-sizer of this vintage, known for providing trouble-free service and every model has the desirable safety combination of stability control and head-protecting curtain airbags.

But a preference for costlier 95RON premium unleaded means its hip-pocket advantage over thirstier rivals isn’t as big as it could be. The complexity of its excellent engine means the consequences of buying one with a poor service record – or not following it religiously – are potentially painful.

An unremarkable back seat and boot, and the lack of hatch and wagon options, mean it’s not the most practical mid-sizer you could buy.

Read Drive’s Honda Accord Euro reviews:

Used-car review: Honda Accord Euro 

2002-08 Mazda 6 petrol, from $1800*

Big-booted and very user-friendly hatch/wagon variants make this Mazda a more practical, versatile beast than a Euro.

It’s slickly presented, has curtain airbags in its safety artillery and, with its responsive, sporty handling, is an entertaining, enriching drive.

But its 2.3-litre petrol engine isn’t quite as zesty as its rival’s and, while it drinks cheaper regular unleaded, it chews through more of it.

It was never the easiest mid-sizer of its era on the senses and, significantly in this context, was never offered with stability control.

While that issue can be solved by targeting a second-generation 6 (2008-13) – a much-improved package that’s probably also better than its older alternatives here – there aren’t a lot kicking around this budget range and they tend to be scrappier than their first-gen counterparts.

Read Drive’s Mazda 6 reviews:

Used-car review: Mazda 6  
Used-car review: Mazda 6 

2003-09 Subaru Liberty 2.5i, from $3500*

This Subaru, like the Honda and Mazda, is a smartly presented, high-quality example of the early-to-mid noughties mid-sized breed.

It’s a polished drive, with this group’s only all-wheel-drive endowing it with a traction advantage on slippery surfaces and wonderfully poised, surefooted balance.

It can be had with a practical wagon body and its safety artillery includes both stability and curtain bags (initially only on ‘Premium’ models, later across the range).

But this generation of Liberty is notably tight in the back. Its 2.5-litre petrol engine isn’t the strongest performer of its ilk or, partly owing to AWD drag, the most frugal. Much like the Honda, its complex mechanicals need religious upkeep to deliver the trouble-free service they’re renowned for.

Read Drive’s Subaru Liberty reviews:

Used-car review: Subaru Liberty  
Used-car review: Subaru Liberty 3.0 

Drive recommends

The easy strategy in this battle, and probably the best one in the used-car realm, would be to buy the car in the best condition, regardless of what badge it wears.

All things being equal, it’s a tough decision but the Mazda’s lack of stability control, in this scenario at least, is probably enough to consign it to last place.

Choosing between the others might well come down to something as simple as body shape. If a sedan is sufficient, the Honda – owing to a superior engine and fewer hurdles for those who want stability control and curtain bags – has a marginal but clear advantage. If the added practicality of a wagon is desirable, the Subaru inevitably wins.

* Values are estimates provided by Redbook based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.