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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  Fun to drive - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By bodpa - June 12 - 10:16 pm

  I have had it for about a week and already have about 1100 miles. The handling is amazing and interior is wonderful. We use the full seven passengers (kids in the back) and is very comfortable.

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  B9 Divine - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Joe - June 6 - 7:50 pm

  Traded a Tahoe for the B9. Runs well. Shifting is substandard since I live in hilly area.

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  Great car - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Sergei - June 5 - 11:40 pm

  I have 12 months, 12K miles with my B9. Great car. This winter in Colorado was bad and I enjoyed driving. The car did very well on the snow and ice roads with manual shifting. I made a trip to Seattle (almost 3K miles, avg. speed about 75-80) plus there is my every day commute from home to work in Denver. The average mileage is 21 per gallon.

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  AWD nice - short on details - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Dr. Dave - April 6 - 6:13 pm

  We had driven the Lexus RX 330 and Acura RXD and found both superior in ride and quality. However the price on those 2007 models was prohibitive, and Subaru was promoting a nice finance incentive for the 2006 B9s. I thought the B9 was overpriced at $37K, but at $30K with the navigation system, we thought it was fair. Its a beautiful body design and the power train is efficient. Those wide tires will grip anything, especially nice for the wifes winter Michigan drives. Driving it is noisy as its not as baffled as our Lincoln LS sedan. The sound system sounds a little hollow too, but it is adequate. The ride was bumpy, and we now found out that all 4 tires are out of balance, needing 2 new.

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  Nice Family Vehicle - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By PEB - March 16 - 3:40 pm

  This s.u.v. is as close to my dream vehicle as I will get for a while. Beautifully designed in and out and comfortable. The only 2 things that is a very small minus is that the wipers have to be bought from Subaru unless you change the whole arm...cant fit flex or other types of wipers. Second, the power in the first generation tribeca, the B9, is a bit low for hwy passing, but still does the job. Overall...would recommend this vehicle to anyone who wants a four dour. We love it...beats a tiburon when you have kids!

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  I LOVE this thing! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By GYRFALCON - March 6 - 6:23 am

  Once I went out on a test drive, I was doomed! This car floats over the road, and is as quiet as an electric vehicle, yet still has plenty of muscle and handles beautifully. The reviewer who said it drives like "a big, heavy truck" had to be following one with his windows open and ODing on the fumes. The nose does take some getting used to, but the interior and other angles of the exterior are design marvels. So - if you love the feel of being pulled laboriously down the road by a noisy, vibrating engine placed at your knee level, and really enjoy the look of fake burled wood all around, then by all means stay away. Otherwise, you may just get Becad.

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  Follow-up review...still satisfied! - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By TAS - February 23 - 11:20 pm

  Its 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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  Boring - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Mari - February 14 - 11:16 pm

  I enjoyed my SUV at first, but Ive experienced numerous quirks the past year. My tire pressure light flashes off and on, regardless of the actual tire pressure. Ive gotten to feel like every drive I make will end up with a flat tire, Im getting paranoid. Even if the AC/Heat is off, I still feel air coming in from the outside. The radio volume goes up and down when it wants to. The seatbelt buzz is annoying, especially when I have to "buckle up" library books and the such.The door locks have been repaired and replaced 3 times. Any one else out there having these same problems or is it just my car???

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  A True Winner - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By jmw14 - February 14 - 12:06 am

  An 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 pm

  We 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.