If you’re looking for a cookie-cutter design in a crossover, move along. The Subaru Tribeca is taller than, wider than and just plain different from other crossover sport utility vehicles out there.
Subaru has always appealed to those who want something with a bit more design personality than “standard” autos. After all, this crossover is named for New York’s trendy TriBeCa area.
Though many equate the name Subaru with sporty, this Tribeca is more of a family vehicle. The automaker took the Legacy platform and puffed it up and out a bit for this car. But the tire pressure system, rollover sensor and other safety extras make the ride feel stable and firm.
But don’t think the Tribeca is a minivan wannabe. Sure, it is a bit larger than its contemporaries, but its modern grille and sculpted sides make it modern enough. It’d be nice if the windows weren’t quite so boxy, but they do eliminate blind spots around the car. In fairness, the windows and reshaped-for-2008 rearview mirrors are more positives than negatives. Function — in this case anyway — is definitely more important than style for me.
The interior of the Tribeca is easy to love. The cabin has a high-quality sedan feel with plenty of high-tech extras that are within easy reach, including heated mirrors, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and even an air filtration system.
Leather-trimmed seats that I found plenty roomy and comfy, a high-end audio system with nine speakers and an MP3 adapter, and a power driver’s seat with memory add to the sedan feel and look. Plus I loved the central screen on the dashboard that displays climate and audio information whether you have the navigation system/rear camera or not. What a nice extra.
The spacious 74 cubic feet of cargo room is supplemented by a 20/40/20 split fold-down rear seat. Although the second and third rows are not as roomy as the front row, it’s plenty large enough for kids or even adults who are riding along on a short trip. I haven’t been in many crossovers’ second- or third-row seats that would comfortably seat an adult for a cross-country ride.
Say what you will, the Tribeca’s 3.6-liter, 256 horsepower engine makes for a powerful yet controlled drive whether on highways or side roads. It also handles snow well, thanks, no doubt, to the all-wheel-drive system.
Moving along in highway traffic is effortless, as are quick lane changes, thanks to ultraresponsive handling. I didn’t feel the handling was a sport experience, but other reviewers disagree, saying that you can rev the motor to add some extra fun to the experience.
Those familiar with earlier models of the Tribeca note that the passing power is significantly improved since the car was first introduced, thanks to extra torque. The Tribeca now has 247 pound-feet of torque compared with the original 215 pound-feet.
For me, the Tribeca’s performance and handling are just what you’d want in a family SUV such as this. Sturdy, reliable and unfussy.
