While building a family is a great thrill and privilege for most gearheads, one of the downsides is that your smaller and more performance-orientated cars are no longer suitable for the daily challenges you’ll face with a family. As a result, the change to a vehicle such as a crossover or SUV must be made to keep things moving smoothly. These kinds of cars tend to be designed to get the job done rather than get the pulse racing, making them a pretty dull proposition.
Fortunately, there are some more interesting options out there for those who want to preserve the feeling of excitement in their family wagons. A forgotten Subaru SUV fits the bill well, being the only modern mid-size SUV to feature a flat-six engine.
A front angle shot of a 2008-2014 Subaru Tribeca drivingSubaru
During the 1990s, Subaru found a great amount of success thanks to its Impreza sedan and Legacy mid-size sedan models, as well as the Forester crossover wagon. The SUV market had begun to find more traction in the late 1990s, which continued to build well into the new millennium. Wanting to secure a slice of the pie, Subaru got to work on developing its own mid-size SUV.
It was first shown to the public as a concept car called the B9X in 2004, before the renamed B9 Tribeca production car hit the streets a year later.
The Tribeca’s Challenging Styling Led To Swift Changes
Silver 2008 Subaru Tribeca rearSubaru
While there was never an official ‘second generation’ of the Tribeca, Subaru elected to release a redesigned version of the model in 2008. Its unusual grille and tail design weren’t well-received by the public, so Subaru afforded the model a more conventional front and rear design, which arguably snatched away a good amount of the original design’s character. It was also treated to a larger engine, with the Tribeca remaining on sale until it was eventually replaced by the Ascent in 2018.
A shot of the 2008-2014 Subaru Tribeca dashboardSubaru
The end came due to dwindling sales, which took a significant turn for the worse after its redesign in 2008. The big recession failed to help either, as the thirsty flat-six engine made it expensive to run. Having sold at least 14,000 cars a year across its first few years in production, Subaru never broke the 3,000 barrier beyond 2010, according to GoodCarBadCar. This compared poorly to rivals like the BMW X5, of which over 35,000 were shifted in 2010. The Tribeca was also panned for its cramped interior when compared to rivals, while its driving experience left a lot to be desired against the likes of the X5.
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Subaru’s Unpopular SUV Is A Used Steal As A Result
2005 Subaru TribecaSubaru
Due to its poor sales, the Tribeca can be picked up for cheap on the used market. Earlier models had more polarizing but interesting styling, and were also more economical thanks to the smaller 3.0-liter flat-six engine they contained. The earlier cars averaged around 20 MPG, while the later ones managed 18 MPG. The newer cars will have had the common issues of earlier examples ironed out, and will be the better shout for those who prefer more conservative styling. The enlarged 3.6-liter engine also produces a little more horsepower, and around 30 lb-ft of extra torque.
2005-2014 Subaru Tribeca Values and Reliability
Used Value
$4,804 – $9,044
KBB Reliability Score
4.6 / 5 stars
Yearly Maintenance Cost
$563
Most Common Issues
- Vibrating or Shuddering under acceleration due to faulty torque converter (45 reports)
- Intermittent fault with remote start system due to dodgy ignition switch antenna ring and wiring harness (7 reports)
Later 2014 model year cars can be had for around $9,000, while earlier pre-facelift models can be found for around $5,000.
The Tribeca Is A Dependable Workhorse
A shot of the 2008-2014 Subaru Tribeca interiorSubaru
While the Tribeca may have fallen short in some areas compared to its rivals, it does excel from a dependability standpoint. It has achieved a strong 4.6/5-star reliability rating from 219 owner reviews on KBB, while RepairPal estimates the SUV will only cost around $563 a year to keep running sweet. As far as problems to look out for, one of the most common is the vehicle vibrating or shuddering during acceleration.
A total of 45 Tribeca drivers reported this issue to RepairPal, and the cause is a dodgy torque converter in the transmission. Make sure to keep an eye out for this when taking a look at a used example, as you’ll need to shell out at least $1,000 to have it replaced, though this can differ depending on the garage you use.
The Tribeca’s Low-Mounted Engine Sets It Apart From The Rest
A shot of the 2008-2014 Subaru Tribeca engineSubaru
Aside from its interesting styling, the Tribeca’s unique flat-six engine is its most fascinating attribute. Subaru’s Boxer engine is different from most engines as the pistons are laid flat, unlike conventional inline or V engines that see them standing horizontally. This helps lower the vehicle’s center of gravity by keeping the weight of the engine lower. Engine harshness is also reduced. The setup does make the engine less efficient than more conventional layouts, however.
2005-2014 Subaru Tribeca Specifications
Engine
3.0–3.6L NA H6
Power
250–256 hp
Torque
219–247 lb-ft
0-60 mph
7.8–9.4 seconds
Average MPG
18–20 MPG
Earlier Tribecas with 3.0-liter units come with 250 hp and 219 lb-ft of torque, while later 3.6-liter vehicles have 256 hp and 247 lb-ft at their disposal. All Tribecas came with a five-speed automatic transmission, with the option of manual shifting via a stick mounted on the center console.
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The Tribeca Was A Proper Subaru
Silver 2006 Subaru Tribeca rear endSubaru
Reflecting the brand’s off-road heritage, its mid-size SUV also came with a full four-wheel-drive system. Thanks to an electronically adjustable transfer case, the car’s power could be shifted between each wheel to help enhance traction in tricky conditions. Fully independent suspension on each wheel also helped ensure the Tribeca could deal with off-road trails effectively, making it a strong choice as a mid-size SUV that offers affordability, durability, standout design in the case of the older cars, as well as a unique powertrain.
Cobb Tuning Built A Supercharged Variant Of The Tribeca
Black 2006 Subaru Tribeca Cobb Tuning nose shotCobb Tuning
For those wanting to boost the power of the earlier 3.0-liter engine models, a company called Cobb Tuning came to the rescue. It developed a bespoke supercharger setup for the car, an idea first floated in the 1840s (no, that’s not a typo), which came fully loaded with mounting solutions that prevented any annoying vibrations from entering the cabin. The base cooling system was also upgraded with an enhanced intercooler. Thanks to the supercharger, the boosted flat-six produced 320 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, a big increase compared to the stock vehicle.
2006 Subaru Tribeca Cobb Tuning Specifications
Engine
3.0L NA H6
Power
320 hp
Torque
270 lb-ft
0-60 mph
7.7 seconds
The ECU was also tweaked to ensure everything worked consistently and without a hitch. Aside from the supercharger kit, Cobb also graced the Tribeca with a sports exhaust and a stiffer suspension setup, which helped improve its on-road mannerisms. Along with the lowered and stiffer spring setup, a beefier disc braking setup was also brought along to the party. To finish off the project, Cobb also tweaked the styling.
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Larger 20-inch Advan wheels were introduced, while a bigger inlet was grafted onto the Tribeca’s nose to give it a more aggressive aesthetic. Wider fenders were applied to widen its stance while the headlights were also tweaked to look a little smoother. It may not have been a particularly successful SUV, but packages like those offered by Cobb ensure the Tribeca is one of the most interesting options for a used modern mid-size SUV.
Sources: Subaru
