CD Article: 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Test Drive:

It seems every automaker now needs to build an SUV, and for 2006, Subaru chimes in with the B9 Tribeca. Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh reports on a vehicle that's well-built, offers good performance and features Subaru's proven all-wheel-drive. Just don't ask her to play nice with the styling.    More...

[mdxtasy]

Good review.  I share the same basic feelings towards this thing.  I've never really liked the dash design and the pictures in this article really show how plasticky it really looks. 

[ovr50]

I really have mixed feelings about that thing. I saw one at the local Subie shop about 3 weeks ago. Sat in it and looked it over pretty good. I think it's well built and I liked the interior; and, IMO, it looks better in the real than it does in pictures. It just does not photograph well.

I am not in love with the nose styling nor the rear, for that matter. But overall, it's a good rig. Why does Subaru have to mess up their cars with this "propeller" idea of Zapanatas (sic)??

I dunno...

[a4_tom]

I agree with the article regarding the 3rd row seating. Its more of a marketers than engineers' idea to come out with such cramped 3rd row seating that doesn't cover with side curtain airbags.

[si]

Did I mention the grille looks ugly? or did anybody else aleady think that?

ever?

I can't remember... has anybody mentioned how looking at this thing head on makes you gag?

no? never?


Inside: nice
Safety: good
Drivability: decent
Functionality: good
Quality : seems good
Seating: good
Dashboard: good

Fugly propellerless face:

[mdxtasy]

I really have mixed feelings about that thing. I saw one at the local Subie shop about 3 weeks ago. Sat in it and looked it over pretty good. I think it's well built and I liked the interior; and, IMO, it looks better in the real than it does in pictures. It just does not photograph well.

I am not in love with the nose styling nor the rear, for that matter. But overall, it's a good rig. Why does Subaru have to mess up their cars with this "propeller" idea of Zapanatas (sic)??

I dunno...

I'll take your word for it Ovr...if you say the interior is nicer than in the pictures....but the exterior is somewhat quirky.  I've never warmed to the melted plastic look inside....but that's just my opinion.  There's a red one in the neighbourhood....not sure if it's a 5 or 7 passenger one but regardless of how many it seats, it's still not pretty.

[Shnak]

I haven't see one at a dealership, but the 3-4 I've seen on the roads, I've been impressed with. I'm starting to like its design more and more, and just because it's grille design is different, that doesn't mean it's fugly like so many of you say. I really like it. I agree that the 3rd row seating seems pretty useless in such a small-ish vehicle... it's no Odyssey or Sienna!

And am I the only one that thinks that 42G is a bit steep for a vehicle like this? That's Murano, fully-loaded Highlander and Honda Pilot territory... I don't know... seems a bit too much for the Tribeca.

[quadzilla]

"And am I the only one that thinks that 42G is a bit steep for a vehicle like this?"

Take a look at all the prices at Subie.  You can pay over 35G for a Forester and I'm not talking about the XT either. 

I think the price fits in their line up (Forester, Legacy, Outback, Tribeca).  Its it fair, only the buyer can decide that. 

[mrthompson]

"And am I the only one that thinks that 42G is a bit steep for a vehicle like this?"

This is from a guy who would spend $35 on a Corolla clone (current Jetta).  Just bustin' yer chops, Shnak.   

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I think pricing is right in-line with Murano and they're directly comparable. On the upper end, the B9 might be priced better than Murano when you take into account the equipment. They're the same size of vehicle, positioned similarly. B9 Tribeca offers the dinky 3rd row even - as useless as it is, some people think it's a necessity.

Anywho, I actually like the way it looks. Very solid and quirky, and handsome. Not far off a Murano, but more expensive looking to me. I like the interior in person very much, especially certain two-tone treatments. I've never been inside one to check room, but looked thru the window on a few. Very snappy!

Could have done a lot worse, but wish it had one shinning attribute. More power and superb handling would do it. I really love the new Legacies, so wouldn't pass one up for a B9 Tribeca tho.

[mdxtasy]

and just because it's grille design is different, that doesn't mean it's fugly like so many of you say. I really like it.

And because you like it doesn't mean it's not ugly.....it's an opinion...everybody has one.

[AVToller]

When I saw one up close, I was surprised that I didn't hate it. It actually looked quite decent. I found that the elements worked pretty well together. The pricing seems about right too as Quadzilla pointed out. Don't forget, Subaru gives fairly large discounts compared to Toyota and Honda.

[ovr50]

Mark me as another who thinks the pricing of the Tribeca is about right on in comparison to other mid-size SUVs of COMPARABLE equipment. The Tri is very well equipped for the money. I do agree that the 3rd row seating is a joke tho.

[mdxtasy]

Mark me as another who thinks the pricing of the Tribeca is about right on in comparison to other mid-size SUVs of COMPARABLE equipment. The Tri is very well equipped for the money. I do agree that the 3rd row seating is a joke tho.

Pricing is up there...a loaded one will take you right in with the Acura MDX (base model) and Lexus RX330 (base) as well as an entry level Infiniti FX35.  Is the Subie as good as these heavyweights and can that badge bring enough to the table?  I don't think a lot of loaded ones will sell because of that.....but the entry level $42K ones might be worthy competition for the aformentioned competitors.  It looks pretty well equipped but for me, I can't get over the interior/exterior design.

[Brigitte]

Saw one this morning on my way to work.  The nose isn't as jarring as I expected it look - I was prepared to shriek in horror. The vehicle has more of a mini-van than SUV look, IMHO.

IF I had kids to haul and a hard-on for mini-vans, I would consider it, if for nothing else than the AWD feature.  Even at that price.  However, I have neither of those things (thank God), so I guess it's a moot point.

[Careener]

Robert Farago just got fired from the SF Chronicle over his creative description of the new front fascia on the Tribeca.

Here's the dicey review (some questionable language) and his reaction to being terminated.

[BJB]

I'm usually not a big fan of Subaru's but this one has to be the ugliest SUV on the market since the Aztek, seriously that front end is horrible, but the back end is where it goes horribly wrong, to me it looks totally disjointed and doesn't flow and it looks like a pregnant minivan

The interior looks great though, I'm really impressed with the way it looks

[ovr50]

Farago's article (review??  ) was somewhat over the top. I think he went too far with his analogies and language for a mainstream newspaper in a major urban market. I'm not surprised his auto column got the axe. He could have been critical without trying to be the wit of the century. Newspapers are a business like any other and they can't afford to have advertising dollars walking away over some columnist whose ego is too big for his own good.

Some of these newspaper writers still think they are heros in the "Bernstein/Woodward" manner.

Just my opinion. YMMV. 

[sterling]

I liked this from Farago's article:

Yes, I know: the design reflects Fuji Heavy Industries’ past as an airplane manufacturer. But they don't make airplanes anymore, and the ones they DID make attacked Pearl Harbor.

What a strange reason for company to use in styling a vehicle. I guess we should be glad they didn't draw on their history of ship building or household appliance manufacturing.

[Brigitte]

Robert Farago just got fired from the SF Chronicle over his creative description of the new front fascia on the Tribeca.

Thanks for the link, Careener.  I found the review both hilarious and refreshingly honest.  So he said 'vagina.'  Big farking deal.