Subaru Liberty: superbly built with excellent fit and finish
Subaru’s Liberty sedan had been around a long time, a perennial favourite now in its sixth generation, updated for this year with minor styling updates, and a number of equipment and safety upgrades designed to keep it in favour. However, like all mid-sized sedans its lost sales in recent years as the SUV revolution has taken hold.
There’s two four-cylinder and one six-cylinder model – I drove the 2.5i four-cylinder Premium CVT automatic at $36,640, superbly built with excellent fit and finish – it gains engine, suspension and transmission upgrades, added safety and infotainment elements and a most welcome enlarged central colour display. I found the engine updates have smoothed the flat-four engines delivery, the CVT automatic is also sharper and more reactive but I found the front suspension tune too soft with little rebound control providing a bouncy ride on rough roads. The steering also lacks sharpness. Holden’s and Toyota’s new imported Commodore and Camry have far more dynamic feel. I’m David Berthon
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