Subaru Tribeca 2008 review

Some people at Subaru need a kick up the backside. The Subaru team has been slacking and their latest work is a reflection of how badly they have neglected their duty.

The rushed arrival of an updated Tribeca wagon, less than a year after the introduction of a badly flawed original, has me steaming.

The update answers every single criticism I made of the original, but what about the people who bought a Tribeca in good faith? They now see a car with much improved front and rear styling, a bigger engine and upgraded transmission less than a year after they parked the flawed original in the driveway?

It's not good enough to say the new Tribeca is a car I'd happily recommend. It should have been done right in the first place.

“So we have the right car at the wrong time,” Subaru Australia head Nick Senior says. “Are we embarrassed? No, because we sold 1500 of the first-generation Tribeca and those people love their cars."

“The changes have transformed the car,” Senior says.

There has been a significant makeover to remove the offensive, brutal front end Subaru claimed was a tribute to its roots as an aircraft maker. There is also a tail nip-tuck.

The flat-six engine has been boosted from 3.2 to 3.6 litres, liberating 17.8 per cent more torque and 5.5 per cent more power and better fuel economy.

The transmission has been revised for sharper shifts and better response. The rear suspension has also been substantially improved.

Small changes run from an improved third row of seats to larger rear quarter windows, improvements to the exhaust, cooling and power steering, xenon headlamps and even a boost to the towing capacity.

It has all been done without lifting the price, which starts at $53,990 for the five-seat Tribeca.

Subaru could say the improvements are a reaction to increased competition, particularly from the good-looking new Mazda CX-7 and CX-9, but it is not hiding from the reality of a much-needed upgrade.

There are still two models, the 3.6R and the Premium. Even the base Tribeca gets everything from electronic stability control and anti-skid brakes to alloy wheels, remote central locking and alloy wheels.

So why bother with an extra $5000 for the Premium model? Because it means an upgrade to leather trim, sunroof and rear DVD system, though the optional seven-seat cabin package puts another $2000 on the bill.

On the road

Only one of my Tribeca complaints has not been answered by the 2008 upgrade model; the front seats are still flat and unsupportive.

Apart from that, I have to praise everything from the engine response to the performance, refinement and fuel economy. The new driveline is much stronger and does that work much easier, and the ride and handling is smoother and more composed.

And I like the new nose. The Tribeca comes through the test fleet at an interesting time, straight after a Volvo XC90 V8 and ahead of a Mazda CX-9. All three are new-age four-wheel-drive wagons aimed more at suburban families than people who seriously need to go into the bush.

Compared with the Volvo and Mazda, the Tribeca is not as roomy. But it's more car-like and refined. And with better visibility than the CX-9 and a better chassis than the XC90. I also have to come back to the original Tribeca, which was well underdone in the engine despite its good-looking cabin and loads of standard equipment.

This time around, Tribeca II is better from the time you turn the ignition. It has more bottom-end pulling power, the engine feels smoother and more powerful, and the five-speed auto works with the driver instead of doing its own thing.

The result is a car that is crisp and eager, and relatively light at the pumps. Economy figures come in at 12.4 litres for 100km and a cruising thirst of less than 9.0 litres.

I like the suspension, which seems to have more grip, and Subaru's signature all-wheel drive gives good grip and balance in turns.

The cabin is roomy for five, but gets pinched — for people and luggage — with the third-row bench folded up for action. And I still find visibility a bit restricted, though the rear-view camera is good.

I like the DVD system in the test car, and the sunroof, but probably not the price, which is getting beyond the reach of most big families.

I would pick the Subaru ahead of the Ford Territory because of its refinement, and ahead of the Toyota Kluger because it is a better design that is better executed. It also rates well ahead of the thirsty Mazda CX-7 and — for me — is just a little in front of the CX-9.

So this year's Tribeca is a winner and one to recommend for family wagon buyers.

And that's the biggest reason to kick Subaru. It could and should have been this good a year ago.

The bottom line

A winner. But it should have been right the first time. 82/100

Fast fact

The engine in the Tribeca is the largest-capacity Subaru boxer motor, but is actually 700g lighter and has the same physical dimensions.