Passat Alltrack vs Subaru Liberty X

[VAG newbie]

Subaru is quick in responding to the threat of VW. Tough choices now. Here are some of the pros and cons I can think of with each:

Alltrack bettered Liberty X with:
- Diesel engine
- Wagon
- Parking sensors
- Contiseal mobility tyres with ? full size spare
- European "prestige"

Liberty X bettered Alltrack with:
- $3000 cheaper
- Slightly higher clearance (200mm vs 165mm)
- Electric seat
- Bixenon
- "EyeSight" technology = Passta's ACC and EB option, worth $2000.
- Constant 4WD
- Sunroof
- Better sound system
- Better reliability record

In terms of value for money, Subaru wins. With all these options added to Passat, you will be looking at mid-$50's before on road. But with 2.4L CVT on the Liberty, it's gonna be a slugger. Wagon also provide that extra versatility. Hmm......tough choices. Which one would you pick?

[R36er]

Personally I would choose the Alltrack. Yes it is more, but I am a firm believer in this instance that you get what you pay for….plus the Alltrack is a much better looking car in my opinion. I think the interior of the Alltrack is a much nicer place to be.

When I purchased my R36 I was comparing it to the Subaru Liberty GT Spec B. To me there was a big difference between the two. In this instance – yes the R36 was more expensive – but it was a much better car – it was faster, better gearbox, handled better, better styling and again a much better interior with a great driving position. It was a clear choice for me.

I guess it all comes down to what price you are chasing and your personal opinion in the end. Good luck with the decision process.

[Inego]

Alltrack all the way. I switched from a Gen4 Outback to my current Scout. Of things you've outlined as positives on the Subaru only the lights and sound (which was more than atrocious on the Outback and couldn't be readily upgraded) as well as the $3k difference matter.

And not enough to switch back to the pig ugly with average interior Subaru, which would be an Outback for me.

[Jake02]

VAW Newbie is the Liberty X really the Alltrack competitor? I would think it's still the Outback as the X is the Liberty saloon, not the Liberty wagon. I'm not much for the new Passat's styling, but it's hard to describe how much nicer it is compared to the current generation Liberty (this coming from a former Subaru owner before our Skoda), a shame when you consider how nice the last two generations of Liberty have been.

[FSI 220]

I know the Alltrack isnt exactly the Mona Lisa ... but I am sure as heck not prepared to drive a Picasso.

(And i used to bleed Subaru Blue)

[Amalgam]

(And i used to bleed Subaru Blue)[/QUOTE]

+1 Me too

Seem like there are lots of ex Subaru driver esp outbacks driver now driving VW.

[pologti18t]

Some of the base difference in price can be attributed to the Subaru being a sedan and the Passat a wagon. A wagon Liberty is $2000 more than the sedan.

Not sure how the Liberty X is a response to the Passat.

[VAG newbie]

Some of the base difference in price can be attributed to the Subaru being a sedan and the Passat a wagon. A wagon Liberty is $2000 more than the sedan.

Not sure how the Liberty X is a response to the Passat.

Both are based on their "luxury" flagships with raised height. Both are not genuine off-roader. The extra height just provide that extra bit of off road ability, but most people who buy them won't really get off road that much.

The market they are targeting, IMHO, is on those people who wants a luxury car, but wants a bit of extra height for ease of getting in and out of the car and loading kids, a higher driving height to have that bit of extra security. ie. the majority of SUV buyers.

That makes liberty X a legitimate rival to Alltrack. However, it being a sedan, it already lost the "versatility" that most SUV buyers wants because of a smaller boot space compare to a wagon, although many of the SUVs have smaller boot than Liberty.

[Marakai]

The market they are targeting, IMHO, is on those people who wants a luxury car, but wants a bit of extra height for ease of getting in and out of the car and loading kids, a higher driving height to have that bit of extra security. ie. the majority of SUV buyers.

Don't quite agree with that assessment, but without statistics it's hard to know what the real focus market turns out to be. Time will tell.

For us, it's a definite perfect "lifestyle" vehicle. We're moving to the country, many unsealed roads - including on our property - but not truly off-road. We still want and need to get to the city or drive other longer distances in comfort. We have tons of horse gear to carry, a wagon is a must. But we want a well-designed German vehicle that fits into our budget (the money is going into horses... ).

[brad]

My wife drives a 2 year old Outback Premium 2.5 CVT. I think it's the most under-appointed, overpriced eyesore to grace our roads. The only thing it's got going for it is the drivetrain & a fantastic ability on dirt roads (not offroad just country dirt roads. That's when the GeoSquealers finally stop screaming & aquaplaning.

The sound system is rubbish, the projector headlights are just halogens (and pretty lousy), the seats are uncomfortable.

Renowned Subaru reliability? Oh please! I had a Gen2 2.5DOHC. What a piece of underpowered, unreliable rubbish. I know more than a a couple of handfuls of Gen4 owners too. So many engine rebuilds in both 4cyl & 6cyl types. Faffed out LCAs, unfixable creaky back windows, dampers like marshmallows, not enough cogs in the gearbox, sound systems that stop working & no aftermarket available, etc

[aware]

To the OP, you haven't exactly specified what you need in a car. only then can you start actually working out which is better for your needs. Also, Subaru quick in responding to VW? Might want to check a vehicle called the Outback. Been on sale for a just a year or 15+

My wife drives a 2 year old Outback Premium 2.5 CVT. I think it's the most under-appointed, overpriced eyesore to grace our roads. The only thing it's got going for it is the drivetrain & a fantastic ability on dirt roads (not offroad just country dirt roads. That's when the GeoSquealers finally stop screaming & aquaplaning.

The sound system is rubbish, the projector headlights are just halogens (and pretty lousy), the seats are uncomfortable.

Renowned Subaru reliability? Oh please! I had a Gen2 2.5DOHC. What a piece of underpowered, unreliable rubbish. I know more than a a couple of handfuls of Gen4 owners too. So many engine rebuilds in both 4cyl & 6cyl types. Faffed out LCAs, unfixable creaky back windows, dampers like marshmallows, not enough cogs in the gearbox, sound systems that stop working & no aftermarket available, etc

. C&I - The authoritative source of car ownership information.

[drad81]

The market they are targeting, IMHO, is on those people who wants a luxury car, but wants a bit of extra height for ease of getting in and out of the car and loading kids, a higher driving height to have that bit of extra security. ie. the majority of SUV buyers.

Exactly the reason why I purchased one.

We're expecting our first kid in May and my wife has always liked the thought of an SUV because it would make loading kids in and out a lot easier. I've always like the wagon because the boot space is bigger than most SUV's in the same price range (see CX5 GT as an example). So it was a good compromise for us.

Not the only reason why we chose the Alltrack

Having owned an A4 quattro with a bit of work done to it, I was originally considering an R36 or even the B7 Passat V6 (AWD+powa!= ) but after reminding myself that I won't be zooming around with a kid in the back we had settled for the Passat Wagon 125 highline.

So while I was looking for the right colour and price for the highline, I heard about the Alltrack (and the fact that it's only $1800 more than the normal wagon) and ordered that. Subaru was an option at one stage but you can't compare the two in terms of interior quality and badge snobbery.

[VAG newbie]

To the OP, you haven't exactly specified what you need in a car. only then can you start actually working out which is better for your needs. Also, Subaru quick in responding to VW? Might want to check a vehicle called the Outback. Been on sale for a just a year or 15+

What we need, like most young families, is just a safe transport that meet our needs. The problem is our priority is very strange.

1. For my wife, she needs the city emergency brake ("eye sight" in Subaru). GPS, RVC, parking sensors, Xenon, plus 5 star NCAP safety rating. Basically, we won't compromise safety. For me, City EB is non essential, but my wife definitely wants it. Both Alltrack and Liberty X offers it. But Alltrack will be $8000 more than Liberty X if all these are optioned. For Outback, only the top of the range offers eye sight, it will be >$60k on road, way too expensive for a Subaru. That's Audi Q5 and BMW X3 range.

2. She wants something with raised height for ease of loading the kids. SUV is ideal, but Tourag is too expensive and Tiguan is too small. Alltrack and Liberty X meet the need. Many of you don't agree, but many average mums buy SUV simply because of the raised height. None of them will ever go off road. They just use SUV to pick up kids from school! In fact, this is one of the market that Alltrack is aim at according to a VW salesman.

3. I want beige interior. This has slashed every Japanese SUV at the $50k price range. Liberty X and Alltrack both come in beige. In QLD, when you park the car under the sun during summer, I can tell you, the black interior will make the cabin a microwave.

Few things that are desirable but not essential:
- Diesel: we love the torque and fuel efficiency. This Alltrack wins. But for $8000? Hmm...that will buy us a lot of fuel.
- Keyless start. This Liberty X wins.
- Power tailgate. Alltrack wins!
- RVC with guideline: Subaru claims they have it, but I suspect it's gonna be a fixed type not responding to steering. Alltrack wins.

It will be nice to have all that extra cargo space with the Alltrack, but at the same time we are not moving house everyday, if Liberty X's boot space will meet our need, then we might not need a wagon.

I am still waiting to test drive the Liberty X. Went to 3 dealers and neither has one in stock! One of the dealer has been trying to get me to sign the contract "subject to test drive of the car", and the other has never heard of Liberty X! Talk about bad service with VW/Skoda dealers, I don't think Subaru is any better!

[BAD WOG]

Passat Alltrack vs Subaru Liberty X

We have had in our family alone 2 outbacks, forester xs ( currently ) , sti , svx and everyone of them turn to **** after 100k.

My gf has a 2002 passat that puts all of them to shame with 165k on the clock and over 10yrs old.

If you plan to keep the car longer then 100k.... Go passat.

The interior starts off good then the plastic-ness comes out in it when bits rattle and bits come off.

No offense to Subaru fan boys ( why are you here if there are any here )

[brad]

What we need, like most young families, is just a safe transport that meet our needs. The problem is our priority is very strange.

1. For my wife, she needs the city emergency brake ("eye sight" in Subaru).

Had city emergency brake in the Mondeo. Saved us a few times but made the wife complacent, so she still ran up the arse of a HiAce in the rain while putting on make-up/eating breakfast/doing something else totally unrelated to the task of driving - as 99% of women tend to do. HiAce was undamaged, Mondeo had $1800 in damage - yay!!!

5 star NCAP safety rating

The difference between 5 star NCAP & 4 star NCAP may be as little as a seatbelt reminder light. You are far better off having a look at the daigrams of the dummies & seeing which parts of the body are green/orange/red.

2. She wants something with raised height for ease of loading the kids.

This is simply BS unless she is an amazon. I've been Mr.Mom for extended periods when both my kids were little. SUV is not a requirement & is a bit of a pain to be honest. I didn't experience any back issues or access issues with our various traditional sedans/wagons. The biggest aid was when we had the Avensis Verso with the sliding door. That was unreal in tight carparks (observe fat-arsed people trying to bolt their kids in place if the gap between the cars is a bit narrow). I'd suggest your wife do pilates or yoga & strengthen the core (will help the pelvic floor muscles too). Also, sit on the seat while you bolt them in.

Many of you don't agree, but many average mums buy SUV simply because of the raised height

. No, they buy them to look the same as all the other Mums. The first bloke that bought his missus a 4WD for the school run should be shot.3.

I want beige interior. This has slashed every Japanese SUV at the $50k price range. Liberty X and Alltrack both come in beige. In QLD, when you park the car under the sun during summer, I can tell you, the black interior will make the cabin a microwave.

What colour exterior are you looking at?

Few things that are desirable but not essential:
- Diesel: we love the torque and fuel efficiency. This Alltrack wins. But for $8000? Hmm...that will buy us a lot of fuel.
- Keyless start. This Liberty X wins.
- Power tailgate. Alltrack wins!
- RVC with guideline: Subaru claims they have it, but I suspect it's gonna be a fixed type not responding to steering. Alltrack wins.

Does not the Alltrack come with KESSY?
Reverse sensors? Rear camera? Guidelines that respond to steering inputs? How many aids do you need to carry out a simple reverse park?

It will be nice to have all that extra cargo space with the Alltrack, but at the same time we are not moving house everyday, if Liberty X's boot space will meet our need, then we might not need a wagon.

Wagons + Kids work really well together. Have you looked at a Skoda Superb (wagon or hatch) with 4-motion?