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Refreshed 2018 Subaru Liberty detailed in the US

Key tweaks to the 2018 Subaru Liberty have been revealed in the US at the Chicago Motor Show, with Apple Car Play and Android Auto and steering responsive headlights leading the changes.

THE SIXTH-GENERATION Subaru Liberty launched here in late 2014, and now Subaru in the US has revealed some subtle but key tweaks to all-wheel drive sedan.

Refreshed 2018 Subaru Liberty revealed at the Chicago Motor Show

On-show at the Chicago Motor Show, Subaru US has revealed the updated Liberty (called Legacy in other markets) will get the new Impreza’s upgraded 8.0-inch infotainment unit and thus Apple Car Play and Android Auto connectivity. Owners will be able to use Siri and Google Now voice control for hands-off control of infotainment and communications functions. In the US, owners will get access to new apps (but these won’t be offered on Australian cars), including:

  • Magellan NAVI offers advanced cloud-based mapping;
  • eBird advises of local bird sightings and locations;
  • Best Parking locates and compares parking rates;
  • YELP delivers crowd sourced reviews of businesses;
  • Glympse provides real-time location sharing;
  • RightTrack monitors driving habits and recommends improvements;
  • Quick Guide is a digital reference guide for the vehicle; and
  • eventseeker provides information on local events.

Subaru has also revealed that, beyond the new touchscreen, the interior will be tarted-up, including “On Premium and higher trims, real stitching on the dash, seats and door panels along with high-gloss black trim and silver-color bezels for various controls enhance the high-quality feel of the Legacy [Liberty] cabin”.

The new Liberty seems to have borrowed some bits off the new Impreza, including sound-insulating glass and extra NVH insulation to make an already cabin even quieter. The wing mirrors have also been reshaped to reduce noice getting into the cabin. And, “The Lineartronic CVT on 2.5-litre equipped cars now uses a quieter ultra-short-pitch chain, and adjustments to engine timing under acceleration further reduce powertrain noise”.

READ THIS: Read our review of the current Subaru Liberty.

The most noticeable change will be on Premium models which, like the new Impreza, will get Steering Responsive Headlights in conjunction with LED headlights.

Refreshed 2018 Subaru Liberty revealed at the Chicago Motor Show

Subaru Australia hasn’t said anything about when we’ll see a refreshed Liberty, but in the US, the tweaked model will go on-sale around the middle of this year. Expect Australia to offer the upgraded car after that.


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Azmodan
Azmodan
7 years ago

Refreshed it may be, but styling is still horrible, gearbox is crap and there hasn’t been a desirable Liberty since about 2007.

PracticalMotoring
7 years ago
Reply to  Azmodan

You’re right about the 2007 model… Subaru could release it now and we claim it a modern and progressive design. But, the new one is very good. I’m driving a 2.5i Premium at the moment and the gearbox is good, none of the usual CVT nonsense. I think this refreshed version will keep the thing up with key competitors and step it ahead of, say, Mazda6. – Isaac

Isaac Bober

Isaac Bober