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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  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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  Tribeca is the best - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Jackson W. - March 29 - 6:43 pm

  Subaru is a very unusual brand for me but after taking the new Tribeca for 24 hours test drive I could not stop my self and bought one. Unbelievably stylish, great performance, nice features, great fuel economy. It is so luxurious, and comfortable. It changes the everything about the SUV we know.

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  Love it! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Drake - February 17 - 10:36 am

  This has been a great few weeks, drives with comfort and luxury. Handles Pennsylvania bumpy roads well, no more backache!

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  I love my B-9 - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Daycay - December 25 - 11:33 am

  I had a 2005 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition. I loved the car but my son had a growth spurt and we kind of outgrew it. I approached the dealer and asked to trade for a B-9 because I love Subarus and was happy with everything about the ownership experience. I am totally pleased with my B-9. At first, I thought it a little sluggish upon accelleration but a K&N permanent air filter cleared up that problem. I have the highest degree of happiness about my B-9 and the overall attitude Subaru has toward its car owners!

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  Great Car--Major Collision-—We’re Alive - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By JOHN - December 25 - 1:53 am

  A great car for the money.

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  3 years now PROBLEMS - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By michelle3971 - December 22 - 1:55 am

  I brought this car 3 years ago its a 2007 its 7 years old the check engine light came on so i called the dealership and took it right over and the told me that the right front axel had a crack and that the mass air flow sensor was bad and the K N G filter i had in my car had trapped oil and it damaged the sensor so long story short we paid $1253 to have the work done and 2 days later again the same thing and now they claim that the sensor may be bad so i drop it off and today they said the engine is running lean and they have to figure out why but when the claimed to have fixed it the y never mentioned the engine running lean smh talk about ripping off customers . navigation system went to

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  Headlights are horrible - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Janice - December 15 - 8:10 pm

  I am having a horrible time with headlights. Very little light and hard to see about 12 to 15 feet in front of car. Had headlights adjusted multiple times. So frustrating. Anyone have this problem?

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  Excellent car so far - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Alex - October 30 - 12:40 pm

  First Subaru in my household and whole family loves it. No bad things so far.

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  Liking it more than I thought I would - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By rc - October 27 - 5:03 pm

  We tested everything on the market, from the RAV4 all the way up to the XC90, and chose the 7 passenger Ltd Tribeca, feeling it offered more for the money. We are new to the Subaru brand and enjoying the experience so far. After a bad start, on purchase day, the car we originally leased broke down, but the dealership quickly replaced it. After 4 months of use, this car has really grown on me. Useless third row for anyone over 4 feet, but the fit, finish, ride and comfort are excellent. It fits two adults, two car seats and everything we need to pack easily without feeling overly large. The handling is sharp and the all wheel drive and traction control systems are great

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  Tribeca B9 - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By xspeedrj - October 21 - 9:30 pm

  Best vehicle I have ever owned. Rides smooth and the interior never fails to impress. AWD is superior and the build quality is second to none. For the price the Lexus and Acura cant touch the B9. So far two friends about to buy Pilots, even had deals together, bought B9s after test driving them at my suggestion. It certainly is worth a look for anyone in the luxury or near luxury SUV market.