This is what I believe the next-gen Subaru Liberty (known as the Legacy elsewhere in the world) will look like, if you take away all the WRX-like bodykit and futuristic lights. It's letting us know that it is definitely still a Subaru, anyway: it's pretty ugly. But that's what Subaru are known for, and that's what they'll continue to be known for. Besides, I'm sure the car will be of exceptional quality and will handle beautifully. But it definitely won't be cool.

Actually, when the current Liberty was released in 2003, I quite liked it, and I thought it had a classy masculinity that was missing from the Accord Euro and Mazda6 - I thought that Subaru may have finally cracked it, when it comes to styling. It may have been somewhat bland, but at least it wasn't ugly, like the infamous bug-eyed Impreza of 2000. But alas, then they brought out the Tribeca, made the Forester ugly as well, and gave the Liberty a facelift that didn't really work. It looked worse than it did to start with!

I can see that this design is, in many ways, an evolution of the current Liberty, but far more agressive. I can't really tell you why it is so bad, but when I compare this this to a Mazda6, I just know that this new Liberty doesn't look quite right. I think the rear of the car is by far the most offensive area.

So get ready for a new Liberty, set to offer a third alternative to the brilliant Accord Euro and Mazda6. It'll turn up late this year or early next year (next year is 2010 now, remember).

DETROIT MOTOR SHOW 2009: Subaru Legacy Concept Points to the Future Liberty/Legacy