Subaru Liberty 1999

1999 August: The GX Liberty sedan and station wagons get "colour-keyed door handles and mirrors [... and] adjustable intermittent wipers." A pollen filter is fitted - good news for hay-fever sufferers. The price remains $29,990+orc($au). The 2.5L Liberty RX also gets some leather trim and "rear pockets on both the driver's and front passenger's seats". Price remains $35,990 (5-speed manual). In addition, the Heritage will get side airbags as standard from September 1999 when the price will rise by $800 to $40,990 for the sedan [-from Subaru PR]

1998, October 24: Subaru Australia put the new model Liberty on sale. It is said to have been designed as a station wagon, rather than adapted from a sedan design, and shares much in common with the new Outback released at the same time. The general concept remains similar to that of the previous model. New flat-four 2.0 litre (92kW at 5600rpm, 184Nm at 3600rpm) and 2.5 litre (115kW at 5600rpm, 223Nm at 3600rpm) engines are offered. Interestingly the engine options were 2.2 or 2.5, so this looks like a case of rationalisation as the Imprezza has a 2.0 92kW unit. There is talk of a flat-6 engine some way into the future, and there is no doubt that Subaru is handicapped by the lack of a six compared to its competitors.

Floor pan, suspension and transmission are new. Rear suspension is now by multiple links to approximate double wishbone geometry and to increase load capacity by reducing intrusion into the cargo space. All Liberties are fitted with dual air-bags, ABS brakes, and all wheel drive (4x4).

1999 Liberty sedan joins the wagon in Australia.

Standard features include "cruise control, power steering, power mirrors, power windows, air conditioning, rear centre [and side] 3-point seat belt, improved central locking, CD player". The higher level RX Liberty brings 16x6.5 tyres, alloy wheels, body dress-up kit, the larger 2.5 litre engine, fog lights, and better trim. Top-line Heritage Liberty has automatic transmission (only), leather seats etc., CD stacker and twin sun-roofs.

The 5-speed Liberty AWD GX wagon starts at $31,990, the same as the 1998 model (automatic +$1900). Liberty RX wagon is $37,490 and the Heritage $43,190 ($au 11/1998).

The 2.0L GX sedan retails at $29,990, 2.5L Liberty RX $35,990, 2.5L Heritage $40,190. Automatic transmission adds $1,900 ($au 2/1999).

Go to the Liberty (current), 1998, 1997 and Subaru pages