Diabolical conditions including blinding rain, hail, fog and mud during a road test convinced The Daily Telegraph's Cars Guide Editor, David Fitzsimons, of the new Subaru Liberty (Legacy)'s rock solid credentials, according to a review in today's edition (Friday 5 December).

Fitzsimons writes: "Short of actually racing in the 24-hour event at Bathurst, the car was asked to demonstrate its acclaimed handling and acceleration characteristics.

"And it didn't miss a beat."

He added: "Such conditions demand excellent road handling and the car did not move off its correct line once.

"Subaru banks a lot of its reputation on its AWD abilities and the new Liberty (Legacy) is a clear demonstration of its value."

On styling, Fitzsimons writes: "The edgy-styling of the body is accentuated by 17-inch alloy wheels. In the market sector where looks are impressive (Mazda6, Honda Accord Euro are rivals), the Liberty (Legacy) is a strong contender."

For the full story, see the Cars Guide in today's edition of The Daily Telegraph.