2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Subaru's largest vehicle enterd 2007 with freshened styling and added features. B9 Tribeca is a midsize SUV with available seven-passenger seating. It shares a basic platform with the Subaru Outback and Legacy. Tribeca has all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. Its 245-hp horizontally opposed 6-cyl engine teams with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Standard are ABS and antiskid control that gains rollover sensors for '07. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags with rollover deployment for the 1st and 2nd seating rows are standard. Tribeca comes in base and Limited models. Each offers five- or seven-passenger seating. For '07, grille inserts go from chrome to matte black, though a new Special Edition Package uses bright mesh inserts. A rearview camera and rear obstacle detection are among other newly available features.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Larger than Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to eight-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

Our Best Buy choice is the Honda Pilot. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Explorer, Ford Freestyle, Mazda CX-7, Nissan Murano, and Toyota Highlander.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Dodge Nitro, Ford Edge, GMC Acadia, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-7, Mazda CX-9, Saturn Outlook, Suzuki XL-7, and Toyota FJ Cruiser.

News

We hear the B9 will get a fairly heavy facelift for 2008, quite early for such a new model. Subaru evidently feels that styling is at least partly to blame for underwhelming B9 sales, so the current look should be toned down somewhat. Changes elsewhere are likely to be fairly minor before a full redesign, which is now expected for model-year 2011.

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2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca Road Test

Pros	Cons

All-wheel drive	Acceleration

Passenger and cargo room

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Limited 7-passenger w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5.2

Sufficient power for around-town driving, but feels strained in highway passing or uphill climbs. Engine rough at idle, but smooth once under way. Maximum towing capacity is 3500 lb.

Fuel Economy

Limited 7-passenger w/nav. sys.	Class Average
4	4

Test B9 Tribecas averaged 18.3-19.4 mpg. Subaru recommends premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Limited 7-passenger w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	5.5

Good bump absorption overall, though some choppiness over rough surfaces. Solid body structure contributes to buttoned-down feel.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Limited 7-passenger w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	4.5

Well-balanced in turns, with no undue body lean. Steering is linear, but transmits little road feel. Adequate braking control masked by spongy pedal.

Quietness

Limited 7-passenger w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	5.6

Engine refined, whisper-quiet at cruise. Some wind rush at highway speeds. Road noise well-quelled, though tires roar on rough surfaces.

Controls

Limited 7-passenger w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	6.6

Main gauges simply marked, easy to read. Fuel gauge blocked by steering wheel. Climate and audio controls neatly arranged, clearly marked, easy to access. Navigation controls intuitive, but a long reach for both driver and passenger. Nicely textured matte-finish interior panels impart upscale look and feel to cabin.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Limited 7-passenger w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7

Adequate room, though tall drivers may wish for a wider range of seat adjustments. Comfortable, supportive seats. Upright driving position. Good overall visibility, though view to the rear is obscured by thick rear pillars. Ride height only slightly elevated for easy entry/exit.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Limited 7-passenger w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	6.1

Versatile 2nd-row seats move fore, aft up to 8 inches for ample leg room. Head space limited for six-footers. Third-row seats sized for kids, offer no leg room if 2nd-row seats are in rear position, and are awkward to access.

Cargo Room

Limited 7-passenger w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	8

Enough space for single golf bag or several grocery bags behind raised 3rd-row seats. Third row folds flush into floor. Convenient small-item storage; 2nd row has handy console-mounted drawer that holds about five DVD cases.

Value within Class

Limited 7-passenger w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5.9

Subaru's SUV delivers fine handling, versatile interior accommodations, and a generous list of standard equipment. However, acceleration is lackluster, and while Tribeca pricing is competitive with similarly equipped midsize SUVs, there are more-compelling alternatives.

Total Score

Limited 7-passenger w/nav. sys.	Class Average
62	58.4

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		48
Average Score		58
High Score		69

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2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 11/14/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 5-passenger 4-door wagon	$29,995	$28,311	$625

Base 7-passenger 4-door wagon	$31,995	$29,976	$625

Limited 5-passenger 4-door wagon	$32,495	$30,610	$625

Limited 7-passenger 4-door wagon	$33,495	$31,367	$625

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine, 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, all-wheel drive.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, front- and 2nd-row curtain side airbags w/rollover deployment, front-seat active head restraints, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, antiskid system w/rollover sensors, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, rear air conditioning w/rear controls (7-passenger), interior air filter, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats w/lumbar adjustment, heated front seats (7-passenger), 8-way power driver seat, 4-way power passenger seat, center console, cupholders, 2nd-row adjustable split folding rear seat, 3rd-row split folding seat (7-passenger), heated power mirrors w/turn signals, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers w/deicer, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, rear defogger, variable-intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic-off headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, fog lights, rear spoiler.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

255/55R18 tires, alloy wheels.

Limited adds to Base:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, heated front seats, driver-seat memory, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Special Edition Pkg.
Base, Limited	$1,295	$1,100
Satellite radio, wire-mesh grille, chrome alloy wheels.

Convenience Group 1
Base, Limited	$214	$205
Puddle lights, additional reading lights. NA w/DVD entertainment system.

Convenience Group 3/4
5-passenger	$167	$102
7-passenger	$142	$86
Cargo cover, cargo net, cargo tray.

Popular Equipment Group 1
Base, Limited	$293	$190
Automatic day/night rearview mirror, theft-deterrent-system shock sensor.

Popular Equipment Group 2
Base, Limited	$359	$214
Roof rack, mud guards.

Protection Group
7 passenger	$328	$211
5 passenger	$303	$195
Floormats, front bumper underguard, rear bumper pad.

Safety
Rear-obstacle-detection system
Base, Limited	$325	$211


Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
Limited	$2,000	$1,839
Includes rearview camera.

DVD entertainment system
Limited 7-passenger	$2,500	$


Satellite radio
Base, Limited	$445	$334


Remote engine start
Base, Limited	$389	$253


Cargo cover
Base, Limited	$149	$91


Floormats
5 passenger	$60	$36
7 passenger	$85	$52


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Roof rack
Base, Limited	$215	$117


Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Trailer hitch
Base, Limited	$628	$471
Includes transmission cooler.

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2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Subaru B9 Tribeca 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	108.2

Overall Length, in.	189.8

Overall Width, in.	73.9

Overall Height, in.	66.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	4130

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	74.4

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	16.9

Seating Capacity	7

Front Head Room, in.	38.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.3

Rear Head Room, in.	38.2

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	34.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc H6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.0 /183

Horsepower @ rpm.	245 @ 6600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	215 @ 4200

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	18/23

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Subaru B9 Tribeca 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	5/60,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	5/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: all-wheel drive

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Also in the 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca Review:

Subaru B9 Tribeca

Subaru B9 Tribeca Road Test

Subaru B9 Tribeca Prices & Equipment

Subaru B9 Tribeca Specs & Safety

Subaru B9 Tribeca Photos

Subaru B9 Tribeca Full Review