Sedan sales have suffered at the expense of SUV’s so it was no surprise when Subaru’s Liberty sedan finished 2017 down 42 percent on the year before. Subaru have stimulated the model updating the three model range to take on the likes of the latest imported Toyota Camry and Holden Commodore models. I drove the Liberty 2.5i premium sedan with CVT automatic at $36,640. To make it more appealing Subaru have made minor styling changes, enlarged the central display, added new infotainment and increased safety elements. They’ve also added steering responsive headlights, a front and side view monitor and made refinements to engine suspension and transmission. The built quality and the drive line updates are excellent and there’s a heap of features for the money however I found the front suspension too soft and the steering lacking feel. The Subaru Liberty unlike the excellent Outback model no longer sets a benchmark – both the new Camry and Commodore four-cylinder models have passed it by for on-road dynamics. I’m David Berthon

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