Posted: Wednesday, October 5, 2005.

Subaru B9 Tribeca: All Grown Up

Subaru touted the Outback and the Forester as SUVs, but many thought of them as crossover vehicles or the less loved tall station wagons.

By Ed Kemper
Honolulu, Hawaii
Courtesy of Subaru Distributor

With the B9 Tribeca Subaru is not going to be kicked around anymore in SUV land since no one could argue that this 5 or 7 passenger vehicle is anything but an SUV.

As with all Subaru’s, all-wheel drive is standard stuff. In order to create this SUV, the Outback chassis was borrowed and with a stretch of the wheelbase of about 3 inches enough room for a 7-passenger edition was found. Although only an inch longer than the Outback, the rest of the other dimensions are substantially larger — 4 inches wider and about 5 inches taller.

To keep this bigger and obviously heavier vehicle going, Subaru again robbed the Outback piggy bank and took the 250 hp flat 6-cylinder 3.0-liter motor. Transmission choice is simple — there are none except a 5-speed automatic.

With prices starting above $30,000 and thereby competing with some high-end SUVs, Subaru loaded the B9 with standard features thus limiting the need for options. (See the sidebar spec sheet). Besides the base model, a higher-level Limited model can also be chosen. The other major decision is whether seating for two additional riders is needed behind the standard 5 seats.

Styling, to say the least, is not conventional. The inverted Alfa Romero center stout with the very large headlights certainly makes a statement. Further the roofline and pillars are not straightforward either, with final pillar sweeping forward. In a word, some will love it and others will be less enthusiastic. Whatever your preference, this new grill is going to be the Subaru icon starting with the 2006 Impreza redo.

Be Better
A fairly well equipped Tribeca with 7-passenger capacity and a DVD system was provided for testing on the hills and dales of Honolulu. (Total out of the door sticker price: $34,920.)

The styling uniqueness does not stop with the exterior— the front compartment has few, if any, imitators. In effect, two half circles surround the two front occupants connected by the center console. Separating the two-tone interior is a large swath of metallic/plastic that runs from the armrest up and across the dash to the door panels.

Aside from the attractive look, this design pushes the main controls closer to the driver so that they are clearly more reachable. All of the gauges are the video type rather than mechanical including the A/C temperature settings and fan speeds. Large dials control the latter with the data in gauges in the center of the switches.

Recessed on the top of the center of the dash is a large video screen that shows info about the stereo, temperature, time, and data collected by the computer (gas mileage, etc.)..

Besides a covered puka that supplies cupholders, a large double opening armrest/storage console is also provided in the center console.

Four Wheeling
Although no rocket, the B9’s 250 hp does the job of moving the seven-passenger hauler with some spirit. In doing so, the engine sound remains muted in the lower rpm range. Pushed into the top of the tach, the engine is heard but still maintains it composure.

For the most part on level or near level ground, the 5-speed tranny is likewise a smooth operator. But any upward grade causes the transmission to downshift too quickly to maintain movement. Both a sport setting and individual shifting of the gears are available for those who desire better performance and greater shifting control.

Gas mileage is rated for the city at a respectable 19-mpg. The real life commutes from Kailua to town and back was close to that number — from a low in heavy traffic of 16 mpg to a high of 20 in a Kalihi-to-Kailua run.

Steering is light and quick, and the ride is very comfortable with potholes and such being handled with by the suspension and solidly constructed body. With fairly large 18-inch wheels, cornering was likewise controlled.

Seating in front was flat on the bottom with some side support on the backs and on the firmer side of the cushioning equation.

Besides the unique interior, the general lay out of the controls was first rate with everything within easy reach and well marked. At night every button, bow, and dial lights up in a red glow for your entertainment. The light show is even in the cupholder puka.

Back Seat Manuvers
Unlike most SUVs and cars with split rear seats, the B9 is divided 40/20/40 instead 60/40. This permits large and long items to be placed in the center of the storage compartment and yet maintain seating for two in the second row of seats.

With the adjustable seats all the way back, there is plenty of room for three with abundance of knee room in particular.

When the seats are all upright, there is an armrest with two open cupholders provided. Cooling comes from two sources — vents in back of the console with a fan speed switch and vents in the ceiling further back. The DVD entertainment center is in the ceiling along with its controls.

For cargo carrying the seat backs are easily dropped with a simple pull of a handle and without removing any of the three adjustable headrests.

Moving into the third row of seats is somewhat difficult even with pulling and pushing the second row of seats forward. Once back in row three, it is obvious that they are unwelcoming to adults and really made for small kids. Legroom is simply too tight for anybody but the petite.

Fortunately, the 50/50 split seats can be hidden with a pull of a handle and a large cargo bay is then presented. Even with the third row of the seats up, there is some cargo room for a couple of suitcases.

Subaru Moves Up
No one can now claim that Subaru has not produced a true SUV. The B9 has met all the criteria — 5 or 7 passenger carrying capacity, cargo room galore, the needed height and added to all that standard 4-wheel drive. As a bonus the interior styling and layout is first rate, and if the exterior styling is to your looking Subaru now may have fulfilled your SUV dream.

Q&A
Q: So what is the meaning of the B9 Tribeca name?

A: The B stands for the boxer (flat) engine, 9 is the chassis designation, and Tribeca stands for the Triangle Below Canal streets in the New York City. What that area of New York has to do with an SUV is a question that might be asked of Subaru.

High Beams
• Flashy, interesting, and useful front headquarters.
• Smooth and quiet in everyday operation.
• Subaru makes a real SUV!

Low Beams
• Automatic transmission shifts oddly going up hills.

– Ed Kemper is the auto columnist for the Honolulu Star Bulletin and MidWeek, the Weekend. He also hosts Wheels Hawaii TV on Oceanic Cable-Channel 16 in Hawaii, which is shown on Wednesday at 12:30 PM, Thursday at 1:00 PM and 5 PM, Friday at 10:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and Saturday at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

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