Subaru Tribeca 2008 review: road test

The wagon was deemed a touch odd in its styling and a touch underpowered. Despite Subaru's well-credentialled history in this business of SUVs — think Forester and Liberty — the big Tribeca was up against some considered competition in this larger, more premium corner of the market.

The first Tribeca arrived here in late 2006 and, as elsewhere, was a slow seller.

The second version arrived about 12 months later. Most agree it is better.

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• Subaru Tribeca 2008 review
• Subaru Tribeca 2008 review: road test

Some of that may well be subjective, for Tribeca No.1, which did have a strange nose, inspired by parent company Fuji Industries' aeroplane heritage. The wagon's grille was loud, much unloved and perhaps turned away a customer or three.

That point of contention disappeared in version two. Now the Tribeca has a face more Forester-style with grille slats plus new bonnet and headlights, it will not scare the kiddies or the Yanks.

The all-wheel-drive wagon's rear was also reworked with wider tail-lights, bigger rear windows, new tailgate and bumper.

So the Tribeca looks tidier, more conventional in today's bold style of a lump-sized piece of SUV.

And the engine capacity was lifted from 3 litres to 3.6 litres, taking power up 10kW to 190kW. Torque is up 17.8 per cent from 297Nm to 350Nm. The five-speed auto transmission was also revised for smarter shifts.

The result is a very handy handsome family wagon with five or seven seats.

It is packed with safety and convenience although the sweep-around, fighter-pilot styled front cabin may be a little overdone with the bewildering array of switches and dials over the centre console, and in some contrast to the now-restrained exterior style.

Little of this matters for the Subaru Tribeca handles the cut and thrust of city traffic well. Visibility is good and despite the bulk it parks with few dramas — helped here by a rear vision camera — and keeps pace with city motoring.

Motor and transmission are smooth and competent.

On the open road the Tribeca is quiet and comfortable over all surfaces.

The big Subaru is not to be thrown around like a WRX but it has good road manners and good grip. It feels safe and sure, and that primary safety is backed by a five-star NCAP crash rating plus front, side and curtain airbags.

Occupants sit high and with the five-seater test vehicle there's good cargo room when that third row is not in use.

This is a solid and capable soft-roader, quite versatile and comfortable.

Rivals here include the Ford Territory, Toyota Kluger and now Mazda's CX-9, and the Subaru Tribeca is not left behind.

The Mazda CX-9 is the most likely rival; each has its own character and virtues — the Mazda's lower pricing structure is a plus yet the Tribeca's more restrained nature may better suit some.