Subaru Liberty vs BMW 5 Series
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Subaru Liberty
Price TBC
Sedan
Petrol
2.5-litre horizontally-opposed Boxer 4-cylinder petrol
127kW
7.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
476L
BMW 5 Series
From $114,900
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
140kW
6.8 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
520L
Subaru Liberty: we're still completing price, kerb weight, 0-100km/h and warranty.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The BMW 5 Series counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Subaru Liberty uses a 2.5-litre horizontally-opposed Boxer 4-cylinder petrol producing 127kW and 235Nm of torque, sent through a lineartronic cvt to a AWD layout.
The BMW 5 Series responds with a Petrol making 140kW and 310Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds.
The BMW 5 Series has the clear power advantage at 140kW vs 127kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Subaru Liberty measures 4,745mm long on a 2,750mm wheelbase, 315mm shorter than the BMW 5 Series at 5,060mm (2,995mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW 5 Series generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 476L in the Subaru Liberty and 520L in the BMW 5 Series, giving the BMW 5 Series a 44L advantage.
For towing, the BMW 5 Series leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.9m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,252/year for the Subaru Liberty and $1,938/year for the BMW 5 Series. That is a $314 annual difference in favour of the BMW 5 Series.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru Liberty if: You or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW 5 Series if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW 5 Series takes 4 of 4 key spec categories. The BMW 5 Series will save you roughly $314 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BMW 5 Series has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Subaru Liberty and BMW 5 Series?
The BMW 5 Series is the cheapest at $114,900 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BMW 5 Series uses the least fuel at 6.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW 5 Series holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Subaru Liberty, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW 5 Series has the largest boot at 520L.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 5 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW 5 Series makes the most power at 140kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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