The 2018 Subaru Liberty has arrived, with a round of revisions to keep the midsizer fresh and on shopping lists in the face of new competition and a wave of activity in the medium class for 2018-2019.
On the aesthetic front, the MY18 Liberty scores revised bumpers and grilles, with new headlight designs incorporating LED daytime running lights into their housing, evoking the C-shape making its way across other Subarus. Revised wing mirrors feature shorter stems for less window noise. A new colour, Crimson Red Pearl is now available too and new 18-inch wheel designs across the range.
Inside there is an 8.0-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now incorporated. More high gloss black plastic and silver is used for a more premium appearance. A new steering wheel brings the Liberty into line with the new Impreza. There are now two more USB ports behind the console for rear passengers to charge their phones.
Safety has been improved with the third-generation of Subaru’s EyeSight technology, now including side view and front view monitor, adaptive high beam and headlights that turn with the steering wheel.
The next-generation Liberty will migrate to the Subaru Global Platform, which debuted on the current Impreza and should see a marked increase in rigidity, safety and opens up the possibility of hybrid and electric versions. It’s likely that the lusty 3.6-litre flat six will be replaced with the Ascent‘s 2.4-litre turbocharged 193kW, 375Nm flat-four as well as the 1.6-litre unit in the Levorg.
In the mean time, the MY18 Liberty starts from $30,240 for the 2.5i, $36,640 for the 2.5i Premium and $43,140 for the 3.6R.