Subaru Tribeca 3.6r Premium 7-seater

The Age

Saturday March 22, 2008

Cameron McGavin

With a change of looks, the new Tribeca is an improved package, writes Cameron McGavin.

SUBARU'S first full-sized family 4WD, the Tribeca, has probably set something of a record in being face-lifted just a year after its arrival.

And it's no surprise really because there was room for improvement. A lack of under-bonnet punch that impacted on driveability and economy was probably the biggest black mark, and the styling wasn't everybody's cup of tea, either.

Now we have a new Tribeca and it looks well placed to capitalise on the positives of the package. A bigger engine brings more power, the controversial styling has been toned down and there are myriad other minor revisions.

WHAT DO YOU GET?

I actually didn't mind the old Tribeca's Creature From The Deep appearance, if only because it looked like nothing else. Now, with its safe chrome grille and squared-off headlights, the top Subaru blends right in with the crowd.

No qualms about pricing, though. It's exactly the same as before, with the base 3.6R opening the account at $53,990 and getting an impressive amount of gear, including touch-screen satellite navigation, power seats, CD stacker and more.

Step up to the $58,990 Premium version tested here and the kiddies pick up a DVD entertainment system to enjoy, while heated leather front seats and a sunroof make life nicer for mum and dad. Going for the seven-seat version adds $2000.

HOW SAFE?

The original Tribeca was strong in this area, packing six airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic gee-whizzery such as a rollover sensor, brake assist and stability/traction control, not to mention a five-star rating in NCAP crash tests.

And Subaru hasn't been idle. The reversing camera now covers a wider field of vision and gets handy marker lines to help placement. Larger side-rear windows, too, bring better over-the-shoulder vision. A pity, then, that the curtain airbags still don't extend to final-row passengers.

WHAT'S INSIDE?

Minor changes have improved access to the final-row seating, though it's still somewhat difficult, and the bigger windows bring a better view.

Ultimately, though, the Tribeca's passenger-carrying abilities are somewhat compromised. The middle-row seats recline and slide, allowing you to free up space for the final row, but a sweet spot is elusive.

Legroom is only really acceptable for full-sized adults in the middle seat if you slide it all the way back, but that takes leg and foot space in the final row down to almost nothing. Slide it forward to improve the final row's lot and the middle passengers suffer.

At least they have rear air-conditioning controls, their own vents and the DVD system to keep them cool and entertained. The boot, too, is big and the final row's

split-fold function allows some semblance of flexibility, but we'd prefer a full-sized spare instead of the space-saver.

Up front, the driver fronts the same swoopy, futuristic-looking dash.

Quality is excellent and there's plenty of space but storage is mediocre, the seats lack support and tall drivers will rue the lack of steering reach adjustment. The touch-screen system, too, requires a big stretch to operate.

UNDER THE BONNET

This is where the action is at, with the old, undernourished 3.0-litre boxer six making way for a new 3.6-litre unit. Power is up from 180 kW to 190 kW and torque from 297 Nm to 350 Nm, yet the new engine is lighter and more efficient (official economy has dropped from 12.4 L/100 km to 11.6 L) than its smaller predecessor.

On the road the increase in low-rev torque is immediately obvious.

The Tribeca now steps off the line smartly and responds promptly to calls for rolling acceleration without kicking down and revving out, and the result is a significantly more relaxing drive.

Subaru has also fiddled with the five-speed automatic and it's noticeably less frazzled and prone to hunting. The shifts seem smoother and more decisive.

Fuel economy, too, has improved. We averaged 13.7 L/100 km in combined urban/highway driving, much better than the 14.8 L figure we achieved in the old one. And, unlike the old engine, it runs on cheaper regular unleaded.

ON THE ROAD

Subaru has revised the rear suspension for better ride quality, but the difference is hard to quantify.

Low-speed bumps are soaked up with aplomb, while lumpy rural tarmac and unsealed roads are dispatched effortlessly. Low levels of tyre, wind and mechanical noise bolster its touring abilities.

The Tribeca is also impressively agile, nicely balanced and confidence-inspiringly predictable for such a big, heavy beast, with strong brakes and precise, communicative (if a tad light) steering.

Of course, grab it by the scruff of the neck in tighter going and its size, weight and the suspension's comfort bias all start to count against it.

VERDICT

It might have lost a touch of its visual individuality but the new Tribeca is an undeniably better package than before. There are still niggles, such as the compromised seating and the lack of curtain airbags for final-row occupants, but these shortcomings are now balanced by a wider range of strengths.

In the end, if it were my money I'd probably put it on Mazda's value-packed CX-9. However, if the Subaru appeals I wouldn't try to talk you out of it.

HOW MUCH: $60,990 (auto only).

ENGINE: 3.6-litre horizontally opposed six-cylinder, 190 kW/350 Nm.

WHAT'S IT GOT: Twin front, side and curtain airbags, stability/traction control, ABS with EBD and BA, reversing camera, dual-zone climate, powered heated front seats, cruise control, trip computer, satellite navigation, six-CD player with aux-in, rear DVD entertainment system, power sunroof, two 12-volt outlets, 10 cupholders, 18-inch alloy wheels, engine immobiliser and Datadots, three years unlimited km warranty.

FOR: Bigger engine brings better performance and economy, smoother auto, confident road manners, loads of toys.

AGAINST: Seven-seat layout is compromised, final row misses out on curtain airbags, flat seats, no steering reach adjustment, space-saver spare.

3.5/5

THE COMPETITION

FORD TERRITORY GHIA AWD

HOW MUCH: From $56,990.

ENGINE: 4.0-litre six-cylinder, 190 kW/383 Nm.

SAFETY: Four-star NCAP rating.

Six airbags, stability/traction control, reversing camera, ABS.

WHAT'S IT GOT: Dual-zone climate control, power front seats, leather,

CD stacker, 17-inch alloys.

FOR: Wonderfully roomy and flexible cabin, muscular engine, brilliant six-speed auto, excellent road manners, value.

AGAINST: Thirsty, quality and equipment no match for match rivals.

OUR SCORE: 3.5/5

MAZDA CX-9 LUXURY

HOW MUCH: From $57,265.

ENGINE: 3.7-litre V6, 204 kW/366 Nm.

SAFETY: No NCAP rating. Eight airbags, stability/traction control, reversing camera, ABS.

WHAT'S IT GOT: Tri-zone climate control, power heated front seats, leather, CD stacker, sunroof, 20-inch alloys.

FOR: Good looks, strong performance, entertaining handling, sharp value.

AGAINST: Mediocre economy, tight centre middle-row seat, active ride.

OUR SCORE: 4/5

TOYOTA KLUGER GRANDE AWD 7-SEATER

HOW MUCH: From $64,490.

ENGINE: 3.5-litre V6,

201 kW/337 Nm.

SAFETY: No NCAP rating. Seven airbags, stability/traction control, reversing camera, ABS.

WHAT'S IT GOT: Tri-zone climate control, power heated front seats, leather,

sat-nav, CD stacker, DVD system, sunroof, power tailgate, 19-inch alloys.

FOR: User-friendly cabin, strong and efficient V6, refined road manners.

AGAINST: The price, mushy handling, question mark over stability control calibration.

OUR SCORE: 3.5/5

© 2008 The Age

Back to News Index | Back to Home