REX - Regional Express

alltorque Double-take It looks like an SUV, but is it? David Gilchrist compares the Subaru Liberty X and the Mitsubishi ASX and finds that looks can be deceptive. Free-spirited AWD Subaru has, for some time, perpetuated the link between happiness and freedom with its aptly named Liberty series, and the new Liberty X certainly puts a smile on your dial. Take, for instance, its ground clearance. With slightly longer legs than the average city-bred car, the Liberty X is able to bump along roads at which many other mid-sized sedans would wince. Although it's not an SUV, this all-wheel drive (AWD) has clearance similar to some SUVs. That's a bonus when you're contemplating exploring the great outdoors. In fact, the Subaru Outback is only 50mm taller. The overall package, however, is more remarkable than the ground clearance. This car, with is its new side skirts, slightly improved rear bumper and handsome grill, will have you driving slowly around town just so the less fortunate (read: non-Liberty drivers) can get a good look at what they're missing out on. 38 Then you hit the highway. The interior leather trim gives the ride that extra feeling of luxury. You flick open the sunroof, slip on your sunglasses and let the thing do what it does best: motor, baby. Depending on which variant you choose – 229Nm (about $45,000) or 350Nm (about $55,000) – the AWD system will have you purring with delight, as this car handles almost as though it was on tram tracks. The Liberty X is an intriguing grab bag of technology, including keyless entry, pushbutton ignition and a nice piece of Subaru kit called EyeSight. The EyeSight system delivers pre-collision automatic braking, including emergency full-force braking, pre-collision throttle management, and lane sway and lane departure warning. Put simply, the car goes out of its way to keep you safe. It doesn't eliminate driver stupidity – that's up to you – but it does do a very effective job of keeping you on the straight and narrow, literally.

• Cover