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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  Concept SUV in Production - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Ronzzo - December 2 - 5:53 am

  I first saw the Tribeca in March at a special invitation by Subaru. The styling of the vehicle, especially the interior had me sold, but I wanted to wait until I was able to test drive it. I finally did drive it and purchased it two weeks ago.I absolutely love driving it. The ride is quiet and it handles very well in turns. The instrumentation controls are at close reach and the brightly lighted gauges are easy to view. The five passenger vehicle is roomy and the adjustable rear seat supplies plenty of leg room.

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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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  Some reasons NOT to buy this car. - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By calibuyer - November 13 - 1:16 am

  After test-driving this car twice and much research, we bought this vehicle off the showroom floor in DEC of 05. After our first weekend it was in the shop after a problem with all the warning light signals. The service dept asked why we had not made an appointment! The problem was not fixed and had to be taken to the dealer 3 more times. It was then we were told our TRIBECA had a FAULTY TRANSMISSION. It stayed in the shop for over 2 weeks plus the previous days in the shop. The TRIBECA has been in the shop now more days then we have been able to drive it. This is the worst NEW car experience we have ever had. Subaru please fix this. We cant recommend buying this car.

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  Tribeca - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Andrea - October 23 - 5:23 pm

  Please test drive on the freeway before you purchase if a lot of road noise or wind noise is bothersome to you. You have to turn up the radio loudly and speak loudly if you drive more than 50 mph because of wind and road noise. Also dont count on this car to get out of the way of a speeding truck coming towards you. NAV system not that reliable. Dont bother paying extra for it. Drives more like a truck than expected. A big truck. Gas mileage is so so for a truck.

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  TRULY A MONSTER - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By MR. POTTS - September 24 - 6:40 pm

  Simply a well built machine. From its initial design, structural stability, solid stance, and car-like maneuverability ... this machine is a monster. My only peeve is that the premium sound system needs a real wake up call. My 2005 Outback premium sound blows the B9 sound package out of the water. Otherwise ... A+

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  Best car I have ever had - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Maddog - September 15 - 10:46 pm

  We got this car with 580000 miles on it. We have had three other subies and loved them all. Our son loves it and calls it the spaceship car (he is five years old ); we travel often and love this car. We had a chevy uplander before and it was JUNK and not four wheel drive. I highly recommend this car to anyone and know a lot of people that have them and love them.

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  What a Surprise - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By franco - September 7 - 1:06 am

  We looked and test drove just about every style of SUV. It came down to the new LR2 Land Rover or the Tribeca, the last one we test drove. Ive owned Porsche, Corvette, BMW, Acura, Toyota just to name a few. The interior and exterior of the Tribeca have excellent fit and finish. The ride is very stable and secure feeling. The standard and optional features are wonderful. We wanted an SUV that was going to be a keeper for the next 10 years and we found it. The power is satisfying and adequate for normal everday use. The style isnt ugly, its unique and exotic and it didnt take long to grow on us. We wouldnt have been happy with anything else. The new style looks like all the others.

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  Rear Lift gate hydraulic jacks weak - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By G.J. Pence - September 4 - 8:50 pm

  Purchased B9 in July/05 for an extra auto. Found the B9 great to drive, roomy, and very comfortable. After the past 120 days have found the rear lift gate hydraulic lifts are weakening and not performing well. Mileage is getting much better than when first purchased. Larger gas tank would be helpful to go further than just 300 miles on a tank of gas.

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  Awesome! But Missing a Few Touches - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By ChicagoSteve - September 4 - 8:56 am

  This is an incredible car. I am in the advertising business for auto dealerships and had my pick of cars. I looked at several but for the money for the B9 nothing comes close. I have the NAV system and the information this car provides is just scary, above and beyond the the actual Nav system. Every car detail from current MPG to service intervals and a calculator are only a touch away. As for what the car is missing, one thing would have to be seat memory. My wife and friends have tried my car and it takes me forever to get it back. Also a coin holder. These thing sound minor and they are, but every model above $30k has them.

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  Horrible 3.0 motor - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Jr - September 2 - 5:36 am

  The 3.0 in this vehicle is horrible. Its a pig to put it bluntly. Im getting rid of this vehicle with 7,500 miles. Im sick of it and its lack of power.