The Subaru Tribeca is a mid-size crossover sports utility vehicle (CUV) built by Subaru from 2005 to 2014. It has five doors and a front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout.
The car came only with a 5-speed automatic transmission, and at full capacity, it could seat seven occupants. Inside the vehicle, the second- and third-row seats are adjustable to make room for more cargo, which makes the car perfect for transporting families and also for more practical uses. The Subaru Tribeca also scored very well in crash tests, promising high safety for all those aboard.
In some cases, the vehicle has also carried the label of 'B9' or 'B9 Tribeca'. But by 2008, the car was only called the 'Tribeca' in all markets.
The 'B' in the original name refers to Subaru's Boxer engine while the 9 is its model number. The name Tribeca was a way for Subaru to align itself with the popular culture of the Tribeca neighbourhood in New York. From the start, this car was designed primarily for the American market.
Despite the manufacturer being Japanese, this car was never available for the Japanese market. Subaru released it in Australia in 2006, with the Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana (USA) supplying all the markets.
The Tribeca was only on the market for about eight years before Subaru discontinued it in 2014. Its lifespan on the market during those years can generally be divided into two phases:
- The 2006-2007 Subaru Tribeca
- The 2007-2014 Subaru Tribeca
For the Australian market, the Tribeca was only ever offered in one variant. Initially, this was the 3.0 Premium, while the period from 2007 to 2014 saw the top-of-the-line 3.6 Premium.
The 2006-2007 Subaru Tribeca
The initial design for this car was controversial, particularly the style of its front grille. Critics in some markets didn't like the triangular shape of the grille, even earning the car an 'Ugly Duckling' status for some people. Combined with the overall round shape of the car's body, it seemed that the grille was supposed to reflect Fuji Heavy Industries (the company behind Subaru) and their history in aviation.
Despite how it looked, the car carried a powerful 3.0-Liter EZ30 engine with an output of 180kW and 297 N⋅m of torque.
The Subaru Tribeca was redesigned in 2006 to resolve the grille issue, while also including upgrades on a few other parts. The car's connectivity was also updated to include XM Satellite Radio, connectors for iPods, and an optional parking assist system.
A Special Edition released in 2006 featured unique wheels and a mesh grille.
The 2007-2014 Subaru Tribeca
In 2008, Subaru released a new version. It had a total facelift and a redesigned rear with a new hatch, a newly-shaped rear side window, and more rounded taillights.
The engine was also larger this time around, with a 3.6-Liter EZ36 engine with an output of 191kW and 350 N⋅m of torque.
The interior of the Tribeca was mostly the same, with a few minor changes. It was much easier to get to the third row of seats, while the second row was reconfigured to provide more space to passengers.
Other Issues
Aesthetic design issues weren't the only problems troubling the Tribeca in its time. In Australia, Subaru issued an urgent recall on the 2006-2014 Tribeca models (basically, ALL of them!) to replace faulty ignition switches.
The issue with faulty switches risked causing the ignition to go from ON to ACC, even while the car was still moving. Not only might the engine stall in the middle of the road, but the airbags would also fail to deploy as a result.
The Tribeca wasn't the only affected Subaru model. It seems the Liberty, Outback, Forester, Exiga, Impreza and WRX & WRX STI models were also affected by the same issue.
Discontinued Production
In 2012, Subaru discontinued the Tribeca in Australia and other markets.
In part, this was due to low sales, considering that it was unpopular from the moment that it was first released. Also, withdrawing it from the market paved the way for a more competitive replacement SUV. The Exiga and Ascent succeeded it in Australia and North America, respectively.
If you’re buying replacement parts for a Subaru Tribeca, try checking out Carpart.com.au! Carparts sellers in Australia advertise their products with us, making it easier for you to access original and serviceable car parts. Visit us now!
- Ray Hasbollah