Subaru B9 Tribeca Introduction

The B9 Tribeca, Subaru?s new crossover (car-based SUV) uses the Outback platform. It looks, um, quite distinctive even for a Subaru. You soon get used to it, however, and even begin to like it. I did anyway. Horsepower is adequate but torque isn?t. It?s OK for city and highway driving, but the combination of low torque and maybe one too few gears conspire to make it feel sluggish on hilly roads. Fit, finish and overall quality are superb.

Handling too. MSRP: $30,695 - $37,695; Warranty: 3/36,000.

First Glance at the 2006 B9 Tribeca

This one will definitely catch your eye. The design is definitely not your mainstream Japanese. This is probably because Subaru hired Andreas Zapatinas who had been with Italian icon Alfa Romeo to head up its design team. His first project was an entire new front fascia for the Impreza line and for the Tribeca. In fact, the grill is not the only part of the Tribeca that appears to have benefited from Andreas? Mediterranean touch.

Personally, I think the entire vehicle looks like it could be wearing an Alfa Romeo badge or perhaps the Renault/Citroen insignia.

Except if it were intended for any of those legendary Italian or French manufacturers' customer base, it would have had to be about 2/3 the current size and have a common-rail diesel as the base engine.

It just has that kind of style. Frankly, I can?t see a line I don?t like on the entire vehicle. Others, including my 20-something single female neighbor did. She thought it looked "like a station wagon." What??

Incidentally, the official line on the new 3-part grill is it celebrates parent Fuji Heavy Industries' 80+ years aircraft manufacturing heritage. The center, more upright part is supposed to represent a fuselage and the two side parts, the aircraft wings.

In the Driver's Seat of the B9 Tribeca

The interior of the Subaru Tribeca is, I think, a triumph. Visibility is excellent. The dash curves sensuously to cocoon the front seat occupants. I found it made the interior feel almost cozy. My test vehicle had the base fabric covered seats and metallic highlights on the dash. The standard power operated front seats are very comfortable.

The 60/40 folding second row of seats also slides back and forward several inches.

When there're in the full back position, there's about four inches between a tall passenger's knees and the front seatback. Visibility is excellent too, thanks to the high seat cushion and tall roofline. An optional third row of seats folds flat into the floor. It's suitable only for children. Rear seated passengers get roof mounted a/c vents, which is a nice feature.

As befits a family hauler, the Tribeca abounds in safety features and all the latest gear ? electronic and otherwise. Safety equipment includes traction control and 4-wheel electronic brake force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (VDC) and side curtain airbags. For the rear seat passengers' amusement, there's a large screen DVD entertainment system; to keep the driver and front passenger amused there's a touch-screen navigation system.

The B9 Tribeca, Subaru's long anticipated crossover vehicle uses the platform from the new Outback wagon. It has the 3.0L boxer 6-cylinder engine and the symmetrical all-wheel-drive. This is Subaru's "core technology?. The boxer engine is legendary for its smooth running. The smoothness is a result of positioning the cylinders in two opposite rows. Each cylinder's motion or vibration is countered by the motion or vibration of a cylinder that has been laid on its side directly opposite.

At idle, it feels like a V-12, so smooth-running and lacking in vibration is this engine.

The 3.0L boxer 6 produces 250 hp but only 219 lb-ft of torque. This power is put to the wheels by a 5-speed automatic. There's either not enough torque to move this 4,300 pounder or there's one too few gears. It's OK pulling away from the curb or from the stoplight and for normal city and highway driver but in situations calling for a spirited response from the powertrain ? like passing on a grade - it's too easily caught napping. Subaru's unique symmetrical all wheel drive mated with the superb (quite firm) suspension system and an engine sitting very low in the chassis strongly encourage spirited driving. So, I regularly caught it napping.

The B9 may not be everyone's cuppa but I think the design has character and will eventually grow on most people. From the side it has elements of the classic Nissan Murano crossover in it ? especially from the middle of B-pillar aft. This design would not, in my opinion, be out of place on a mainstream MPV from a European carmaker like Renault or Alfa Romeo. Driving it in North America, you'll likely stand out for a couple of years, however.

When I first laid eyes on the Tribeca, I thought Subaru had completely taken leave of its senses. After living with it for more than a week, however, I found it had completely won me over. About the only objection I have is not with the styling but with the size. I think it would be perfect were it only about 1/3 smaller in exterior dimension and, of course, lighter. The interior is perfect as is.

Subaru is a bit late coming to the American SUV/crossover games. But now that it's here, it's a player. What will ultimately make it succeed is this automobile's engineering excellence, its build quality and its superb handling made possible by both the symmetrical full time AWD and the design of the classic boxer engine. All that it needs now is more torque and maybe a sixth gear, or a CVT.