The mid sized sedan segment is hotly contested here with a number of impressive models in the marketplace. Here, we will take a look at how the 2016 Subaru Liberty stacks up against one of its chief rivals the Hyundai Sonata. Both of these vehicles became available here at the start of this year, making them relative newcomers. Although they are both mid sized sedans, they approach the market in quite different ways. Let’s see how they compare to one another.
The 2016 Subaru Liberty
This is the 6th generation model with the sure footed All Wheel Drive, excellent safety pedigree and dependable performance that Subaru drivers love. The Subaru Liberty price in Australia is $35,490 plus on the road costs for the Liberty 2.5i Premium model. This price is significantly cheaper than the Hyundai Sonata, so one would imagine that there would be fewer features. However, this is not the case, there are many useful features, such as active cruise control, lane departure warnings, blind spot warnings, LED headlights, 18” wheels, a sunroof and powered seats with memory recall. Inside the cabin has a luxury feel with even more features, such as a new 7” touchscreen, satnav, a reversing camera and a commanding SUV style elevated driving position.
The Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata Elite is priced at $36,990 plus on the road costs, making it more expensive than the Liberty. The engine is a more powerful turbocharged unit, but the fuel economy suffers as a result when compared to the Liberty. Inside the spacious cabin, one can find features such as an 8” touchscreen, sat nav and climate control. There is a great deal of cheap looking plastic trim in the cabin which is painted in silver and carbon colours. The overall effect is that the Sonata Elite feels like a cheap place to be. Additionally, the Sonata has a foot operated parking brake, unlike the Liberty, which has an electronic unit. Although the car is powerful, the handling is lacklustre and this due in large part to the Hankook tyres which lack grip when you need it.
The Final Verdict
The Subaru Liberty is the best specified and cheapest of the two which goes a long way, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. The Hyundai Sonata has plenty of space onboard, and it is a powerful car to drive. However, the Sonata has a humdrum cabin, no active safety measures and lacks any real value for the price. In comparison, the Liberty has a real quality feel, with plenty of extra features and active safety measures to admire. For these reasons the Liberty beats the Sonata and takes 1st place.
If they would like to know more about the Subaru Liberty 2016, Australia based drivers should contact us here at City Subaru. We have a wide selection of both new and used Subaru cars for sale, including the new 2016 Subaru Liberty. Why not book a test drive with us today, so that you can experience the thrill of driving a Subaru first hand? If you have any additional questions, we will be happy to answer them for you.
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