Overview & Reviews

The Subaru B9 Tribeca was the first midsize SUV from a company that traditionally just made smaller station wagons with elevated ground clearance. Bigger and taller than other Subarus, the B9 was meant to be a viable alternative to established Japanese crossover competitors as well as other more upscale sport-utilities.

Named for New York City's fashionable and affluent TriBeCa neighborhood (the B9 was tacked on seemingly just for fun), it also became Subaru's first U.S. vehicle to feature a new design expression consisting of a stylized triangular grille and rounded bodywork apparently inspired by aircraft. It wasn't well-received, however, which was made all the worse because it was underpowered and not as spacious inside as other three-row SUVs.

In an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to turn the ship around, Subaru adopted more conservative styling for 2008 and ditched "B9" in the process. The rechristened Subaru Tribeca is covered in a separate review.

Most Recent Subaru B9 Tribeca
The Subaru B9 Tribeca was sold for 2006 and 2007, before it dropped the B9 from its name. Attached to its standard all-wheel-drive system and five-speed automatic was a 3.0-liter horizontally opposed (boxer) six-cylinder engine that produced 245 horsepower and 215 pound-feet. This modest output didn't do the relatively heavy B9 any favors, bringing it from zero to 60 mph in a pokey 9.6 seconds.

The B9 came in five- or seven-passenger configurations with either base or Limited trims. The base car included 18-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, power front seats (eight-way driver, four-way passenger), a tilt-only steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player. An auxiliary audio jack was added for 2007. With its seven-passenger configuration, the base B9 Tribeca gained heated front seats and rear climate controls. The Limited got you leather upholstery and an upgraded sound system with a six-CD changer. Options on the Limited included a navigation system, a rearview camera and a rear seat entertainment system.

The Subaru B9 Tribeca's cabin had a distinct look with a waterfall center stack painted silver. It looked cool, but with its awkwardly arranged buttons, it was definitely a case of form over function. The cabin's abundance of hard plastic was also a turn-off, although we liked the central screen that displayed the climate control and audio information.

Many have found the B9 Tribeca's driving position awkward, which was largely a result of the non-telescoping steering wheel. Legroom was sparse for third-row passengers, and even those in the second row might feel a little cramped -- a rear-facing infant seat barely fits. Fortunately, cargo room with the seats folded was a bit more generous, with up to 74 cubic feet available.

In general, we found the Subaru B9 Tribeca to have too many flaws to be recommended as a used SUV purchase. Power was improved with the subsequent Subaru Tribeca, but it, too, remains an also-ran as more impressive crossovers have arrived on the scene.

User Reviews:

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  Disappointed - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By MJ - December 14 - 12:36 pm

  Interior is so comfortable and it has all the bells and whistles. However, the performance is horrible. When attempting acceleration at any speed including highway entering the engine revs to almost 7000 rpm before it kicks in and sometimes I can have the pedal floored and it still doesnt accelerate. Like others mentioned there is a problem with the headlights and poor visibility. Also, blind spots are very dangerous, almost hit 2 cars. And tire pressure light has been an issue since day 1. Goes off for a day after filling tires and then starts flashing again. Had a 2005 Ford Escape with 170K miles, should have stuck with Ford.

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  Underwhelmed - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By A. Grupp - December 10 - 2:20 pm

  Overall, while I like the car and feel very safe driving it, I have been disappointed with a few issues. First, I agree with others citing the headlights as an issue. Not only is the low beam ineffectual, but I have had to replace the bulbs numerous times. Second, the heating has failed so I will need to spend $1K+ to fix it. And,now,the A/C is an issue. Third, there is a blind spot on the passenger side due to the small rear window. Fourth, the electrical system has been causing problems. I am sold on Subarus, just not on the Tribeca. I own a Forester and have owned the Outback. Love/loved both. Will revert to one of them moving forward.

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  Timing Chains break - No support from Subaru - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By ob108 - October 25 - 3:51 pm

  This comment is dated, but I was looking for a recall notice. While your story is not a good one, here is one better. Less than 84000 miles on it when the timing chain fails. That cause the cam gear to fail and the dealer says they dont replace timing chains they replace motrs if they fail Scary I thought. I fix it and $2400 lighter it was running again only to find out that the main bearing was damaged and cannot be fixed. Thats why the replace motors. You would think that Subaru would stand behind one of their most expensive models. Nope I am on my own. To them I thank them for eduacating me that I will never trust them again.

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  Do not buy this car! - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By JohnCA - June 21 - 11:33 pm

  Well, this is my experience: We bought our 2007 Tribeca new from the dealer in 2007 - since then? Well it consumes more than a quart of oil a month. Also, for the second time since weve owned it it needed the timing chain serviced (first was under warranty, thank God). This time I had done the oil change in May, in July it was down 4 quarts! Amazing, and this time there was no factory warranty to back it up. Do yourself a favor and get something else.

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  Not so in love anymore - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By lisa - October 13 - 12:36 am

  I have had my Tribeca for 7 months and the bloom is off the rose. I have to open the drivers door and put the seat back so I can reach the gas opener which is hid underneath the seat. This is a problem because I am at the gas station twice a week! The bells ring for the seat belt if you put a gallon of milk on the seat. The drive is becoming stiffer (didnt know that was possible). Had a piece of the dashboard fall off and I dare anyone to find the hood open latch without the manual! I had much better luck with an Outback. Good news is its a lease so the end is in sight. Just doesnt have the Subaru reliability you look for.

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  So-So - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By E - November 29 - 2:30 am

  We have owned this for a year now and I somewhat wish we had something else. We have two kids and were used to a 4Runner which has A LOT more room than the B9. Fuel economy is horrible, and it really only likes 89 or higher. The heated seats are nice as well as the DVD. The interior is also pretty cool, however, that is about it. We are running into some mechanical problems now. The engine is making some sort of loud rattle every time you throttle from a stop. All in all, just so-so.

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  Not what I expected from a Subaru - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Eric - April 12 - 11:43 am

  30,000 miles replaced struts, sway bar bushing, head pipe cracked and replaced both headlights. The interior has developed rattles all over the place. Just sold it and driving my 14 year old E320 benz until I find something else. Maybe Im expecting too much.

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  Bushings replaced 2x - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By chris - January 30 - 7:06 am

  Well we have 70,000 miles on our B9 Tribeca. We have had to replace the stabilizer bar bushings (under warranty) and today control bar bushings. We are not under warranty any more so it wasnt covered. The repair helped but there is still a knocking underneath where my feet are. Not as bad as it was thou. I like the car but these issues SOA should do a recall on them and the headlight issue. You can not see at night. Its like a shade is pulled over your headlights half way and the only way to see far is with them put on high beams. Its a comfortable car. Gas mileage could be better. This expensive of a car these issues should of been taken care of.

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  Its ok---nothing fancy tho! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Marilyn H - December 26 - 8:56 pm

  The gas mileage is over-estimated, as is the quietness inside. I wonder because I see so few Tribecas around if I should have bought something more common.

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  Disappointment - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Larry Schultz - August 18 - 11:30 pm

  In mountains you cannot use cruise per manual and experience. Foot drive results in shifting under load between 3 & 4 gears. Have to rev engine to 5000+ rpm to maintain freeway speed. Engine screams and high rpm bad for engine. Wont pull hills in 4th. Sport shift helps but is not responsive enough and will shift gears without driver knowing. Any call for power even on level road results in high rpm in 3rd with engine howling. Didnt pay all this money for automatic & cruise and not be able to use it. In general, lack of power causes behavior like my pickup towing a heavy camper. Driver seating is designed for small people. Its either stretch arms for wheel or knees "against chest" for 6 footer.