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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  Satisfied - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By OM - November 11 - 8:40 pm

  Bought this car in 2005. Handles the Michigan snow great. One of the best handling cars out there. The engine is a little weak for the size of the car and the gas mileage is poor for a 3.0 liter. Interior is nice and comfortable, and quality is good. If maintained properly the car will be in great mechanical condition.

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  Great vehicle - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By SubiNewby - September 26 - 5:06 am

  This was my first Subaru...got this vehicle for my wife because of the safety aspects, but we both love it. This is a luxury vehicle at an affordable price. I cant recommend it enough. Good low end torque, with a little less response on the highway. Corners without leaning, havent had a chance to put the AWD to test. Interior is top-notch and very comfortable, including for back seat passengers. 3rd row is a joke, which is why we purchased the 5 passenger version. We chose this over X3, Murano, Highland, CR-V and CX-7.

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  Fun car to drive, - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Tom K - September 14 - 10:50 am

  I researched heavily against more expensive models: BMW X5, MDX and RX330. The Tribeca beat them all for less and my first 1000 miles have been fun. The car is more comfortable than my 1999 Mercedes ML430 and handles better. The Tribeca also has more horsepower than the X5 and top safety ratings from safercar.gov. In its first weather test for me it flew up an ice covered hill that other cars were stuck on.

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  Awesome Crossover SUV - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Dev Dawg 4 Life - September 13 - 5:56 am

  Have been driving SUV for almost 10 years and hit the jack-pot when I bought my Tribeca. Drives like a car with a SUV feel. Took weekend trip to Lake George, NY with 3 adults and 2 kids without a problem. Third row turned into a play area for kids and a extended bed for my 4 year old. I am 64 and and have plenty of leg/head room. Bought car for my wife. Like Subaru so much the following week a bought a Legacy GT Turbo wagon. Love both cars.

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  Beautiful Car! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By cdubois1@ - September 6 - 6:03 am

  The car is a genuine winner. Its my 10th Subaru and easily the best.

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  Tribecas great! (exc. gas mileage!) - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Lanie - September 3 - 2:16 am

  I love my new Tribeca. I also own an 03 Honda Pilot. Both had the NAV system, the becca has the DVD too. The Tribeca is much more posh inside, but I think its NAV is worst than the Pilot. The driver shouldnt have to figure out which "zone" she is looking up an address in, and living in Pa/NJ, I have to switch between zones! The Honda NAV is much nicer, easier to work, and thus quicker. Subaru should send out discs that cover all the USA! This zone stuff is from years ago. Another downfall on the Subaru is the lack of the radio station and time being featured alongside the map. Press map, then feature, then back to map. Not cool. And the gas mileage, well, Im doing 18mpg at best on the highway.

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  Great car for the money - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By T Jenks - June 26 - 2:13 pm

  My other car is a newer Cadillac, and I have only driven it once since I got my Tribeca 8 weeks ago. If you dont want a speeding ticket, you need to use the cruise control. This is a very well engineered car, that you know as soon as you close the door and take it for a test drive. I was looking at the Outback just for winter driving and skiing. Test drove the Tribeca, and was sold immediately. Test drove the Murano, and RX330, and I believe the Tribeca has much more bang for the buck.

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  Great Vehicle No Compromises - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Tad Bratten - May 26 - 8:40 pm

  We finally purchased the Tribeca a week ago and took it on about a 700 mile road trip through freeway (fast and nearly stopped heavy traffic), city (LA), desert and mountains and the vehicle performed superbly. Great looking and still rare here in So. California so the vehicle got lots of looks. The seats are great and we are coming from a Volvo. Interior is top quality and the dash and switchgear are perfect. Nav is brilliant. The car drives like a smaller vehicle than it is and responds very well to inputs for acceleration, turning and braking -- everything feels tight and capable. Quiet. You feel safe up a bit higher but will out handle any SUV out there. Avg 21 mpg so far -- just fine.

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  So far so good - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By asr - May 11 - 5:16 pm

  We bought it about 3 weeks ago, it has been great so far. I was a little worried about the sluggish pick up, but it really has not been a big deal. The car runs great, all the extras are awesome. I really love the puddle lights. Its my wifes car and its the type of car that makes me feel good that she is safe.

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  Fun car to drive! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Jinnie - April 5 - 12:03 pm

  After owning for Ford Explorers I changed to the Subaru. What a fun experience. Sure there are minor changes I would like to see but if the position of a knob is my only complaint, look out American car makers! One problem ... the way people stare at your car! Worth a test drive.