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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  Love it! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By rwambold - January 28 - 7:33 am

  Im a picky car guy, and I love this car. I became die-hard loyal to Subaru when I owned an Outback wagon for 4 years. I traded it in hesitantly but boy am I glad I did. The Tribeca is the perfect mean between an obnoxiously large SUV and too-small station wagon. The controls are well thought-out, the engine performs smoothly and beautifully whether you are gunning it in sport or manual mode or just cruising around town, and the interior is perfectly roomy (do bear in mind this is compared to the comparatively small Outback wagon). I read some static about the exterior design when the car first came out, but I love the styling too.

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  Tribeca, As Close To Perfect..... - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Sol Hornberger - January 17 - 2:36 pm

  The Tribeca is as close to perfect a car can get. It drives like a car. It has the room of an suv. It has the interior of a luxury car. The Tribeca has everything you want in a car and left out everything that you dont want in a car. I have to drive 1 hour each way to work and it is really comfortable. I did have a Cherokee Sport. My back hurt everyday and now it doesnt. This car is SWEEEEEEET!

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  Great drive, bad mileage - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Amber - December 26 - 12:56 pm

  Love the car, hate the gas mileage. The nav system is awesome! I love the feel of the drive. Love the payout. It feels safe and I dont find any issues with the acceleration. Lots of room. Easy to load two big doggies in the back. Anyone have ideas on how to improve MPG? I have been using the premium gas.

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  Great Car!! - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Jaap - December 1 - 10:50 pm

  Just bought a Tribeca after test driving several SUVs. The final choice was between a Murano and the Tribeca. I was able to get a great deal on the Tri (maybe due to the bad reviews on looks). This car is great! Moved from Texas to Massachusetts and needed a car that would be safe in the snow . Just survived my first snow storm and this car handles suburb. Especially the guided traction control helped me out in some slippery situations. 3rd row is a joke but it is made up for by the double sliding middle seats. Im 63 and the legroom in the back seat is great. Power is at higher RPM (by design) so dont be afraid to rev it up when needed. I found the 250 hp to be sufficient.

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  hazardous headlights - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By aok - November 27 - 1:30 am

  Nice look and ride in daylight. Very dangerous low beam headlights. We had it checked out and service said thats the normal operating characteristic. Cant see 10 feet in front going down a hill at night. Flawed design-needs safety recall. Another Tribeca owner said its like a horizon line right across your vision. Its a notched line, pitch dark on top. Need to drive with high beams on-creates another safety issue for oncoming cars. Poor, hazardous headlight design. Service has heard it lots-why dont more bring it up?

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  Not so in love anymore - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By lisa - October 13 - 12:36 am

  I have had my Tribeca for 7 months and the bloom is off the rose. I have to open the drivers door and put the seat back so I can reach the gas opener which is hid underneath the seat. This is a problem because I am at the gas station twice a week! The bells ring for the seat belt if you put a gallon of milk on the seat. The drive is becoming stiffer (didnt know that was possible). Had a piece of the dashboard fall off and I dare anyone to find the hood open latch without the manual! I had much better luck with an Outback. Good news is its a lease so the end is in sight. Just doesnt have the Subaru reliability you look for.

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  Sooo much for just so little!! - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By KATHY - September 22 - 2:53 am

  I love my SUV, I cannot believe I was able to afford such a luxurious vehicle. The design inside and out is so extremely comfortable and breath taking. This vehicle has everything and more than I could have ever wanted. It drives like a champ especially in the Miami, FL rain. FYI: I would not change the locking system, because if you ever were to go into a canal you dont want those doors locking automatically.

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  Short on detail - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Tom - August 11 - 12:23 pm

  This is my first Subaru, and I bought it based on its safety ratings, the recommendations of friends and on my own long-standing perception of Subaru as an Innovator. Nice car, nice looking, but Subaru is falling short on the details. The $2,000 plus 2007 navigation system is shipping with a 2- year old 2005 vintage map CD. The companion audio system doesnt display title/artist/station information from CD player or radio on that big color screen like other cars in its class. It is also loud in the passenger cabin.

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  Versatile - 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By jim kilgore - May 3 - 3:30 pm

  With the 3rd and 4th seats folded down flat there is room to pack a kid back to college. Has nice power and is sporty.

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  Best car Ever - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By bob barich - April 26 - 1:26 am

  My wife and I are journalists and work from home offices. She suggested looking at the Tribeca in the hope it would get me out of the house more often. Previously we averaged 5500 miles per year; now 9000. I guess it worked! We have owned everything from a Dino to a Q45; nothing garners more attention than the B9; which is especially amazing in a car-jaded town like West Los Angeles. Handling and breaking is on a par with a sports sedan and fit and finish is first rate--more than several rungs above its price point. Absolutely wonderful!