Introduced in 2006, and named for an upscale district in New York (an area of Lower Manhattan that runs in a "Triangle Below Canal Street”, or TRIBECA, from Canal Street south to Park Place, and from the Hudson River east to Broadway), the 2008 Subaru Tribeca SUV sports a new name, a new look and more power.
What was known as the B9 Tribeca is now simply the Tribeca, and gone, along with its alphanumeric delineation are the Alfa-Romeo-like design cues, as the ’08 version is rounded, sporty and dynamic with a personality all its own. Also gone is the underpowered 3.0-liter engine, replaced with a more potent 3.6-liter flat-six.
The exterior is bold with a much larger grille and deeper front air dam, larger taillights, larger sideview mirrors to eliminate blind spots, and re-designed D-pillars for better rear interior vision. Roof rails, multi-reflector halogen fog lights and power moonroof also add to Tribeca’s new personality.
With seating for seven I have heard it referred to as a crossover, but I don’t know what it crosses over to, unless it is a minivan. This is an SUV … it looks, drives and handles like one without the pretense of a crossover that tries to be various things to various niches.
Assembled in Lafayette, Indiana, this Subie is built with 50 percent U.S./Canadian parts, 40 percent Japanese parts and the rest from an international contingent.
One common rip on B9Ts of the past was that they lacked brawn. The Tribeca’s new 3.6-liter, H-6 AWD engine linked to a 5-speed automatic transmission with sportshift and multi-point fuel injection system addresses that shortcoming, compensating with 256 horsepower, an increase of 16 over last year’s model. Torque, that ability to get power to the wheels, thumps up to 247 lbs.-ft. at 4400rpm, a jump of 28 lbs.-ft., with the power curve stressed on the low end. This enables the 4,294-pound SUV to better utilize the thrust.
The low-end strength worked well enough during my track tests to amble from zero-to-60mph in a respectable 7.9 seconds – a nice gallop for a two-ton sports-ute. Power was smoothly available on long runs as well, and my Satin White Pearl test vehicle completed a quarter-mile run in 16.3 seconds. While one might expect that force to be felt and heard inside the cabin, I found engine noise muffled and vibration kept to a minimum while in the driver’s seat.
The horizontally opposed system is EPA rated at 16mpg/city and 21mpg highway, an increase of about 10 percent over the ‘07 model, and the new incarnation runs on unleaded regular fuel, whereas the previous version required premium gas. During a full week of testing in and around Central Pennsylvania and Northwestern Maryland, during brisk Fall days and nights, my test ride averaged 20.1 mpg, for a cruising range of about 300 miles.
Handling was adequate, but not exemplary. Tight turns on a tough autocross course caused a bit of wobble, but the center of gravity is relatively low and in normal driving conditions, the vehicle’s AWD set-up that combines its horizontally opposed engine and symmetrically arranged AWD system, provides optimum power with minimal slip and greater grip, on P255/55 R18 M+S Goodyear Eagle radial tires.
Standard safety measures include anti-lock 4-wheel vented disc brakes, electronic brake force distribution, dual front and side curtain air bags, front seat side impact air bags, active front head restraints, LATCH system for children, daytime running lights, rollover sensor, tire pressure monitoring system, vehicle dynamics control and brake assist.
One of the safer-driving 2008s, the Tribeca was awarded a 5-star crash test rating for frontal impact on the driver and passenger, and side impact on front seat and rear seat inhabitants, based on the risk of injury. Rollover ratings achieved four stars from the National Highway Traffic safety Administration.
Roomy and inhabitant-friendly, interior comforts include an air filtration system, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated mirrors with windshield wiper de-icer, heated front seats on leather-trimmed upholstery, power driver’s seat with memory function, 9-speaker AM/FM stereo with 6-disc CD changer and MP3 capability, cruise control and tilt steering column, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power windows and security system with immobilizer.
Base priced at $34,995, my test vehicle included a 3 year/36-month roadside assistance plan, touch-screen GPS Navigation system – I am one of those auto journalists who complains when Navi is not included in upscale vehicles, so this is a real plus as far as I am concerned – and XM Satellite radio.
Charged-for add-ons included cargo are spotlight, net and tray ($167); Puddle lights, autodimming mirror and rear dome/reading light ($507); cross bar kit and splash guard kit ($344) and Security shock sensor ($100). Adding the destination and delivery charge of $645, brings a bottom line of $36,758.
The 2008 Subaru Tribeca may have lost its B9 sobriquet, but it has gained power, style and a following at a competitive price.
Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
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