2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca First Impression

Wrap-up and Specs


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TO THE POINT Selling Points:
Sophisticated AWD system, stylish cabin, great brakes, communicative suspension and steering, easy-folding back seats
Deal Breakers: Small back seats, funky front end, high price tag, easy to see cost cutting inside
Our Advice: Subaru has planted the B9 Tribeca smack in the middle of a crossover marketplace awash in great choices, but without anything to distinguish it aside from a controversial design.

MEET THE COMPETITION Chrysler Pacifica
Nissan Murano

Click to enlarge. 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca

Wrap-up and Specs Subaru focused on main consumer desires when it comes to the 2006 B9 Tribeca – upscale ambience, DVD entertainment, navigation system, leather upholstery, power sunroof, AWD, and other desirable features, but didn’t back it up with attention to detail. It’s too easy to see where corners got cut.

Subaru focused on main consumer desires when it comes to the 2006 B9 Tribeca – upscale ambience, DVD entertainment, navigation system, leather upholstery, power sunroof, all-wheel drive, and other desirable features, but didn’t back it up with attention to detail in terms of cabin materials, packaging, and content. It’s too easy to see where corners got cut on the inside, where most people spend most of their time. And, like many modern Subarus, the 2006 B9 Tribeca commands a premium price for average design, materials, and packaging. Given our test sample’s sticker price of $38,320, coupled to that off-putting front-end design, and the B9 Tribeca’s competition starts looking pretty damn good.

SPECIFICATIONS

Test Vehicle: 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca Limited
Price of Test Vehicle: $38,320 (includes $625 destination charge)
Engine Size and Type: 3.0-liter horizontally-opposed six-cylinder
Engine Horsepower: 250 at 6,600 rpm
Engine Torque: 219 lb.-ft. at 4,200 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic with manual shift control
Curb weight, lbs.: 4,155 pounds
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 18/23 mpg (estimated)
Length: 189.8 inches
Width: 73.9 inches
Wheelbase: 108.2 inches
Height: 66.4 inches
Leg room (front/second/third): 42.3/34.3/30.9 inches
Head room (front/second/third): 38.9/38.2/36.2 inches
Max. Seating Capacity: 7
Max. Cargo Volume: 74.4 cubic feet
Max. Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds
Ground Clearance: 8.4 inches
Competitors: Acura MDX, Audi Allroad, Buick Rendezvous, Cadillac SRX, Chrysler Pacifica, Ford Freestyle, Honda Pilot, Infiniti FX35, Lexus RX 330, Mercedes-Benz ML350, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Nissan Murano, Saab 9-7X, Saturn Vue Redline, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Volkswagen Touareg, Volvo XC90

Photos courtesy of Subaru of America

About Christian Wardlaw
Christian Wardlaw joined Autobytel's Automotive Information Center (AIC) in January 2003, and current serves as Manager of Content Development for Autobytel. Previously, Christian spent eight years as Editor-in-Chief and Director of Automotive Data for Edmunds.com. A writer, editor, and automobile aficionado, Christian is a different sort of car enthusiast. His passion lies in the vehicles that people most often buy, rather than with high-performance sports cars or ultra-luxury sedans. “Given the choice to spend an hour with a Dodge Viper or a Honda Accord, I’ll choose the Accord,” he claims. Unless, of course, the driving venue is a racetrack. Christian has been a car enthusiast all of his life, uttering “car” as his first word while growing up in Detroit. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English. His daily drivers include a 1994 Mazda Miata, a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and a 2005 Nissan Murano.