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Christopher Jackson | 9/6/2007 | Subaru
So what, exactly, would motivate Subaru, purveyor of all-wheel drive cars and SUV alternatives, to produce its own sport-ute? After all, isn't Subaru's own Outback proof that one doesn't really need a big, gas-wasting SUV?
We can't speak to the aims of Subaru's product planners, other than to point out that Subaru has never produced a real sport-ute until now. We can, however, pass on the news that the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca is a fine example of a modern crossover SUV. It's got the sport-ute stance and ride height, combined with stable all-wheel drive and a silhouette that's not going to be mistaken for anything else on the road.
We like the design of this vehicle. Then again, we like ugly cars, and that's a proven fact. Subaru says that buyers are "getting used to" the design of the Tribeca; based on curbside reactions to our tester, it looks more like the Tribeca is going to end up on history's "what were they thinking?" list. The exterior can be hard to take; it's all lumps and bumps and strange angles, from front to rear. The narrow grille is inspired by aircraft, but was compared to everything from an Alfa Romeo to an Edsel during our week with the Tribeca. Bulbous headlamps ride high up the fenders in prominent blisters. The Tribeca's flanks curve inward mid-body, then flare out again at the waist-high taillight clusters which form blisters at the back of the body. 18" wheels are standard. From some angles the Tribeca looks like modern art; from others it looks like a haphazardly squeezed lump of clay. Although there's a slight resemblance to the Lexus RX330 if you squint, it's safe to say that the Tribeca looks like nothing else on the road.
Once inside, all aesthetic concerns vanish, because the gently sloping wave-form dash is just gorgeous. Aluminum-look trim brightens the interior considerably; at night, ambient lighting fills the console and footwells, just like it does in many expensive European cars. There's a vehicle information system with a touch screen that's a bit too far away from the front seats for easy use. Tribecas equipped with the available navigation system place the map on this screen as well. Subaru intends the Tribeca to compete with SUVs like the Honda Pilot and Nissan Murano, but the interior is lavish enough and the options list generous enough that the Lexus RX330 and Acura MD-X are also within reach. Standard equipment includes automatic climate control, a moonroof and steering wheel controls for the sound system. Amenities in the Tribeca Limited include leather, three-mode heated seats and a subwoofer-equipped six-disc CD changer.
There's seating for five or seven. For longer trips, a rear-seat entertainment system (with a nine-inch screen!) is available in seven-passenger Tribecas, and passenger comfort is nicely enhanced by a second-row seat that can be adjusted almost eight inches fore and aft.
On the road, it drives more or less like a tall Outback. The 250-horse engine is calm and the center of gravity is low, for drama-free handling. Borrowed from the Outback 3.0 R VDC limited, this three-liter six-cylinder is a smooth-running horizontally-opposed engine, just like the rest of the Subaru family uses. The 3.0's flat construction and low mounting in the chassis give the Tribeca a low center of gravity for confident handling. Variable valve lift and timing control are used to broaden the torque curve, giving the 3.0 a confident, unstoppable feeling. The transmission is a five-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive is standard on all Tribecas. Properly equipped, this SUV will tow up to 3500 pounds.
The Tribeca's underpinnings are automotive in origin, like those of many luxury SUVs. A stretched and widened Legacy Outback platform is modified with a double-wishbone rear suspension for better handling and improved interior room. In spite of 8.4 inches of ground clearance, the Tribeca doesn't like going off-road--Subaru's Forester is still the backroad basher of the family--but then the Tribeca's intended more for dealing with harsh weather than mud holes. In the slippery stuff, Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive takes over. The system uses Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability control, Variable Torque Distribution (VTD), and traction control to limit wheelspin and to prevent the Tribeca from spinning on uncertain surfaces.
If the looks don't turn you off, the Tribeca is a surprisingly capable competitor in the growing class of "soft-roader" SUVs like the Toyota Highlander and Acura MD-X. The base Tribeca starts at $30,695, making its premium ride and appointments available to mainstream customers. The Tribeca Limited we drove rolled out the door with a ton of standard equipment, including VDC, handsome 18" wheels, heated mirrors and wipers, navigation system and dual-zone climate control, all with a $37,695 starting price. Subaru's proven flat-six engine and sure-footed all-wheel drive system are also points in the Tribeca's favor.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca.
Length: 189.8 in.
Width: 73.9 in.
Height: 66.5 in.
Wheelbase: 108.2 in.
Curb weight: 4225 lb.
Cargo space: 37.6 cu.ft. (seats up); 74.4 cu.ft (seats folded)
Towing capacity: 3500 lb.
Base price: $37,695
Price as tested: $38,761
Engine: 3.0 liter horizontally-opposed six-cylinder
Drivetrain: five-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Horsepower: 250 @ 6600
Torque: 219 @ 4200
Fuel capacity: 16.9 gal.
Est. mileage: 18/23
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