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:
Showing 181 through 190 of 225.00-
CANT BEAT THE VALUE - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By J CHAMBERS - November 17 - 2:43 amI traded in a 2004 VW Touareg with v6 engine which gave me more problems than I car to report. Electrical, transmission and no power. I purchased a B9 Tribeca a few days ago and comparing the two vehicles, the Subaru in my opinion the Subaru is a better value dollar to dollar on both base models.
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Oh, my Tribeca! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By Donna - November 11 - 7:50 amI bought this SUV used and I was kind of wary about buying used, but this SUV makes all that worry go away. I love that I can warm myself with the heated seats. That my kids have tons of space in the back. My husband loves driving it and changing from automatic to manual. Great family vehicle. Excellent trunk space. Not to mention you dont see them much here in Long Beach, California since I bought it Ive only seen 3 on the road.
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Tribeca - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By busher - November 11 - 12:50 amOnly have a few thousand miles on it but its everything its built up to be.
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Solid performer - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By FuzzyJohn - October 27 - 11:36 pmI live on a dirt road and the B9 Tribeca handles washboarding like a champ, feeling little vibration in the body or steering. On paved roads, the ride is smooth and gives minimal feeling of sway at moderate speeds. The look takes getting used to but it grows on you quickly. I enjoy the fact the controls and readouts are simple and easy to use. The seats are comfortable and I dont feel cramped with the amount of room in the front seat area. The rear leg room leaves something to be desired but the seats are deep and can be adjusted to give adequate room for knees. Overall, I believe it is equal to most luxury cars and a big improvement on every SUV and off-road vehicle I have driven.
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Could be better - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By B9CT - September 18 - 7:16 amI picked up my B9 yesterday and found things that I didnt during test drive. Woefully lacking in the pick up department. Almost seems the car is too big for the engine. SOA should address with factory authorized aftermarket performance upgrades. Loved the look and feel of the interior, dials and gauges well laid out, informative and good non-intrusive coloring (Blue/Orange). Front, middle and cargo areas have great amounts of room. All in all an ok vehicle.
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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By New Subie Lover - September 1 - 2:16 pmExcellent vehicle. Never had a Subaru before, will always consider one now. Fit and finish are excellent, very tight turning radius, AWD is awesome in rain, can really feel a difference. Navigation is a pleasure to use. Only drawback is when on the highway and ascending up a hill, the transmission cant make up its mind where it wants to be, but is easily remedied with a downshift on the sportshifter...take this for a ride before you buy a Murano, you wont be disappointed. Hope this helps you.
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Disappointment - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By Larry Schultz - August 18 - 11:30 pmIn 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.
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beautiful car - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By apkjczb - August 16 - 6:56 amI bought this car because I needed a car that has 7 passenger seating but I hate those big trucks with 7 seats, so this was the perfect match for me, I loved the interior design, and the leg room it has since I am a tall guy (6.2) the few things I am missing in the car is the Bluetooth, and rear backup sensor which is important for this car since it has a tiny rear window so itÂ’s a large blind spot.
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Early Impressions - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By baddad303 - July 20 - 11:03 amLove the vehicle but.... Resonance vibrations when holding ~30 mph. BAD buffeting when the rear windows only are down – and I do mean discomfort to the eardrums type buffeting! CD player has already failed – mechanical failure message displays (mechanical error) not noted in the manual! Dealer told us not to slam the back gate - it would break a cheap plastic latch - this was told to us after the purchase as we were leaving . :-/ Note that all the doors do shut with grace, very easily with little noise, just a little thing but another example of the inconsistent quality of components. Weak radio of Wal-Mart quality - not a boomer by no stretch of the imagination.
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Love the Tribeca - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
By Nancy Jo - July 18 - 6:50 amI am thrilled with my Tribeca. The interior and exterior are well designed. It doesnt look like every other SUV on the road. It handles well and has good power.
