2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca

Driver's Position

Built on a 108.2-inch wheelbase, the B9 Tribeca is 189.8 inches long and stands 66.4 inches high. Subaru's Outback wagon is an inch shorter overall and only 61.6 inches tall. Subaru claims that the Tribeca's center of gravity is 1.5 inches lower than a BMW X5's. Ground clearance measures a healthy 8.4 inches, though the Tribeca is not intended for serious off-road adventures. Safety features include side-impact airbags for front occupants, as well as curtain-type airbags.


Each side of the 40/20/40 split-folding second-row seat can slide fore/aft through an 8-inch range, to permit more passenger leg space or cargo room. Subaru says the H-point (hip point) is five degrees higher than the Outback's. Seven-passenger models add a 50/50 split-folding third-row seat, as well as heated front seats and a rear-cabin air conditioner. Ten cupholders are scattered through the interior, and occupants can enjoy dual-zone air conditioning with air filtration. Power front seats and a glass moonroof are standard, along with a vehicle information display screen.


Except for modest third-row space and behind-the-seat cargo room (which is no surprise for a vehicle of this size), there's not much to fault in the Tribeca. You get plenty of available second-row space, helped by the fore/aft adjustment. As in so many vehicles these days, the center seating position is hard and high, but it's almost tolerable. Second-row leg space isn't so appealing if the front seats are pushed back, however, and third-row room is nearly nonexistent if the second row is slid rearward.

Cargo

On good pavement, the B9 Tribeca delivers a ride that can approach sheer bliss, ranking well above the class norm. Sure, this wagon may hit urban bumps a bit hard, but it recovers smartly.


Not only does Subuar's six-cylinder engine produce no shortage of energy for passing and merging, the zesty acceleration is beautifully refined, exhibiting no SUV-type coarseness whatsoever. Lower-speed pickup isn't quite as swift, but automatic-transmission shifts are barely noticed. Relatively light steering is accompanied by easy and impressive maneuverability for the vehicle's size, though the Tribeca isn't quite as frisky as Subaru's smaller Forester. Pleasantly quiet most of the time, the engine does get a touch snarly when accelerating hard.