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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Follow-up review...still satisfied! - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By TAS - February 23 - 11:20 pmIts been a year since I wrote a review on my B7 Tribeca. It now has roughly 21,000 miles and Im still very glad I purchased it. My wife loved driving it in the snow this past winter. Only minor complaints are 1. I have to stay on top of the service mgr at the dealership when its in...which fortunately isnt often, and 2. rusty brake calipers.
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A True Winner - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By jmw14 - February 14 - 12:06 amAn amazing vehicle for the price. Refined, and crisp styling that turns the eyes. The ride is amazingly smooth and quiet. Subarus best family vehicle in its line-up.
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Very nice plus unique - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By Tup - February 4 - 2:36 pmWe previously owned a Forester for 9 years and found it getting a little small for us, esp. in the rear seat. So we got a great deal on a Tribeca and love it. We wont use the 3rd row much but its nice to have the option. The rear seat is very roomy with the seat moved all the way back (some dont know there is a second lever for sliding back more). The nav is very good once you figure it out (watch the video it comes with!). Handles very well for its size and has enough power especially compared to the Forester. It gets lots of looks and everyone says it looks much better first hand vs seeing pictures.
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Love it! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By rwambold - January 28 - 7:33 amIm a picky car guy, and I love this car. I became die-hard loyal to Subaru when I owned an Outback wagon for 4 years. I traded it in hesitantly but boy am I glad I did. The Tribeca is the perfect mean between an obnoxiously large SUV and too-small station wagon. The controls are well thought-out, the engine performs smoothly and beautifully whether you are gunning it in sport or manual mode or just cruising around town, and the interior is perfectly roomy (do bear in mind this is compared to the comparatively small Outback wagon). I read some static about the exterior design when the car first came out, but I love the styling too.
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Tribeca, As Close To Perfect..... - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By Sol Hornberger - January 17 - 2:36 pmThe Tribeca is as close to perfect a car can get. It drives like a car. It has the room of an suv. It has the interior of a luxury car. The Tribeca has everything you want in a car and left out everything that you dont want in a car. I have to drive 1 hour each way to work and it is really comfortable. I did have a Cherokee Sport. My back hurt everyday and now it doesnt. This car is SWEEEEEEET!
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Great Car!! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By Jaap - December 1 - 10:50 pmJust bought a Tribeca after test driving several SUVs. The final choice was between a Murano and the Tribeca. I was able to get a great deal on the Tri (maybe due to the bad reviews on looks). This car is great! Moved from Texas to Massachusetts and needed a car that would be safe in the snow . Just survived my first snow storm and this car handles suburb. Especially the guided traction control helped me out in some slippery situations. 3rd row is a joke but it is made up for by the double sliding middle seats. Im 63 and the legroom in the back seat is great. Power is at higher RPM (by design) so dont be afraid to rev it up when needed. I found the 250 hp to be sufficient.
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Sooo much for just so little!! - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By KATHY - September 22 - 2:53 amI love my SUV, I cannot believe I was able to afford such a luxurious vehicle. The design inside and out is so extremely comfortable and breath taking. This vehicle has everything and more than I could have ever wanted. It drives like a champ especially in the Miami, FL rain. FYI: I would not change the locking system, because if you ever were to go into a canal you dont want those doors locking automatically.
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Versatile - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By jim kilgore - May 3 - 3:30 pmWith the 3rd and 4th seats folded down flat there is room to pack a kid back to college. Has nice power and is sporty.
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Best car Ever - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By bob barich - April 26 - 1:26 amMy wife and I are journalists and work from home offices. She suggested looking at the Tribeca in the hope it would get me out of the house more often. Previously we averaged 5500 miles per year; now 9000. I guess it worked! We have owned everything from a Dino to a Q45; nothing garners more attention than the B9; which is especially amazing in a car-jaded town like West Los Angeles. Handling and breaking is on a par with a sports sedan and fit and finish is first rate--more than several rungs above its price point. Absolutely wonderful!
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Owner - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By Ronald L. Jordan - March 16 - 3:56 pmWe have owned this vehicle for two weeks and have found the experience very delightful. We took one long trip in it thus far and found the car to perform beautifully and the ride was most comfortable. There is plenty of leg room both front and rear and the quietness of the ride was the best we ever experienced.
