Used 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca Consumer Reviews
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Great drive, bad mileage
Love the car, hate the gas mileage. The nav system is awesome! I love the feel of the drive. Love the payout. It feels safe and I don't find any issues with the acceleration. Lots of room. Easy to load two big doggies in the back. Anyone have ideas on how to improve MPG? I have been using the premium gas.
Brief Review
Nice vehicle so far.
- Limited 7-Passenger 4dr SUV w/Nav and Gray Int.MSRP: $4,36915 mi away
- 7-PassengerMSRP: $3,99170 mi away
- Limited 5-Passenger 4dr SUV w/Beige Int.MSRP: $8,443218 mi away
Great Ride
I traded in my Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. I've only owned the Tribeca for a couple of weeks but so far I really enjoy driving it.
my Tribeca
Really handles well on dirt roads. Has plenty of pick up and go! Love the extra leg room.
2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca Review
My first Subaru. Fun ride. Comfortable as it can get. Strong body. Streamlined design. Bad fuel efficiency.
Luv it so far
Only 1800 miles so far and besides the gas mileage, I love the SUV. Have the Nav system and never knew how helpful it would be. Like sitting up high. Like the secure feel of the airbags and cage.
Sure thing
I have been buying Subarus for years and find this one the cream of the crop. Handing is a bit soft, but the comfort, the small turning radius, the "interesting" styling, and the power to spare all combine to make it a first rate buy, even at a top Subaru price.
Awesome Crossover SUV
Have been driving SUV for almost 10 years and hit the jack-pot when I bought my Tribeca. Drives like a car with a SUV feel. Took weekend trip to Lake George, NY with 3 adults and 2 kids without a problem. Third row turned into a play area for kids and a extended bed for my 4 year old. I am 6'4 and and have plenty of leg/head room. Bought car for my wife. Like Subaru so much the following week a bought a Legacy GT Turbo wagon. Love both cars.
Why did it take Subaru so long?
Surprisingly smooth and road holding tenacious in wet. If you need lots of room for a 5 seater but occasionally need 7 seats, this beats any minivan I have had before. Pickup more than adequate. Best build quality of any Subaru I have had and this is the 5th.
B-9 is Beautiful!
Wow, I have waited 2 and a half years for this car and all I can say is WOW! I love the way the B-9 drives; it is hard to believe that you are that high off the ground! All I can say is drive one and you will own one; perfect size, love the extra two seats and the rear heat and air is great for guests. It isn't the most powerful 'ute out there but it sure does great with what it's got. I love the engine sound and the exhaust note, it just screams sporty!
Subaru Rocks
I have owned this car for about four months now. This is my second Subaru. It's a great car, handles as good or better than many sports cars I have owned, is fairly quiet on the road, and yes, it can get good gas mileage (you have to drive gently). Commuting to and from work I get 20 to 22 mpg, with mostly highway driving. At high speed on the Interstates (75+) I get 19-21 mpg. The manual shift feature I use a lot when I'm driving in the mountains (NM), it saves the transmission from countless up and down shifts. The other vehicle I considered buying was a Cadillac SRX 7 pass. One test drive told me the B9 Tribeca was the best buy.
B9 Tribeca
This is the sixth Subaru that I've owned. I was very interested in buying an SUV and the timing of this vehicle was perfect. It is beautiful inside and out and drives and handles like a car. I am very pleased.
Love it!
I'm a picky car guy, and I love this car. I became die-hard loyal to Subaru when I owned an Outback wagon for 4 years. I traded it in hesitantly but boy am I glad I did. The Tribeca is the perfect mean between an obnoxiously large SUV and too-small station wagon. The controls are well thought-out, the engine performs smoothly and beautifully whether you are gunning it in sport or manual mode or just cruising around town, and the interior is perfectly roomy (do bear in mind this is compared to the comparatively small Outback wagon). I read some static about the exterior design when the car first came out, but I love the styling too.
Concept SUV in Production
I first saw the Tribeca in March at a special invitation by Subaru. The styling of the vehicle, especially the interior had me sold, but I wanted to wait until I was able to test drive it. I finally did drive it and purchased it two weeks ago.I absolutely love driving it. The ride is quiet and it handles very well in turns. The instrumentation controls are at close reach and the brightly lighted gauges are easy to view. The five passenger vehicle is roomy and the adjustable rear seat supplies plenty of leg room.
Exciting and Fun New Vehicle
I just purchased my new Subaru and I absolutely love it. It is fun to drive and comes with great features. Great set up on the dash. This is my first Subaru and I was impressed with the dealership. For the past ten years I have had various Suburbans and I am very excited and pleased with this change.
Best Of The Bunch
This is my first Subaru. I did my homework before making up my mind and choosing the Tribeca. My decision to buy a Tribeca may not seem surprising until you realize that the last 4 cars I have owned were a 1999 Jaguar XK8, a 2000 BMW 540si, a 2001 BMW M5 and a 2002 Infiniti Q45. I mention this so you understand that I know what quality automobiles are. I am not saying that a Tribeca is the equal of those cars but in comparing it to the likes of BMW X5, Lexus 330, Volvo, MDX etc, there are none that come close to the Tribeca and all cost thousands of dollars more.
SUV With Personality!
Complements from everyone on the looks of this car! The B9 is a great looking SUV to my eyes. Its both modern and retro all at once. It's far better looking than the still unattractive WRX or clunky Forester; cars that my eye never really adapted to. Good power and handling. Awesome interior and comfort. Nothing but silky smoothness. I read one owner complaining about gear hunting, but my car exhibits none of that. Switching to manual mode is done on the fly and shifts are both smooth and useful. This is nicer than any SUV under 40K. There are some compromises, but the B9 has most of it right. I'm very impressed thus far.
Tribeca, As Close To Perfect.....
The Tribeca is as close to perfect a car can get. It drives like a car. It has the room of an suv. It has the interior of a luxury car. The Tribeca has everything you want in a car and left out everything that you don't want in a car. I have to drive 1 hour each way to work and it is really comfortable. I did have a Cherokee Sport. My back hurt everyday and now it doesn't. This car is SWEEEEEEET!
Just off the lot
We were floored when we saw the car on the dealer's lot. We were there to have our previous Outback serviced and knew the Tribeca was coming soon but seeing one in person cemented the deal. The car has everything you could want in a mid-size SUV. The power is excellent. The looks are terrific. We have the 5 seat version and the interior is excellent. There is plenty of room with an especially spacious back seat area. We have the 5 speed auto and I like to drive in the sport mode which gives you a little more torque between shifts. All in all, a home run for Subaru. If you can find one, go get one now!
Early Impressions
Love the vehicle but.... Resonance vibrations when holding ~30 mph. BAD buffeting when the rear windows only are down and I do mean discomfort to the eardrums type buffeting! CD player has already failed mechanical failure message displays (mechanical error) not noted in the manual! Dealer told us not to slam the back gate - it would break a cheap plastic latch - this was told to us after the purchase as we were leaving . :-/ Note that all the doors do shut with grace, very easily with little noise, just a little thing but another example of the inconsistent quality of components. Weak radio of Wal-Mart quality - not a boomer by no stretch of the imagination.
CANT BEAT THE VALUE
I traded in a 2004 VW Touareg with v6 engine which gave me more problems than I car to report. Electrical, transmission and no power. I purchased a B9 Tribeca a few days ago and comparing the two vehicles, the Subaru in my opinion the Subaru is a better value dollar to dollar on both base models.
B9 Tribeca
After six months, am still very impressed with this vehicle. Came out of an X5 and feel the Tribeca is closer to the drive feel of the X5 than the price difference suggests. Extremely nice interior and nav system.
Goodbye Old ML, Hello B9 Tribeca Ltd 7
So impressed by test driving B9 Tribeca Ltd. 7 passenger we bought it 2 days later; our first non German make in 25 years. Went from ML to B9 - after comparing every detail interior, performance and fact that almost every option is included in 7 passenger Ltd price were options on others sold us. Especially comfort, handling ease, safety feats. Not as tall as ML, Lexus GX470, Z3 we tested but what we got for price -- impressive. Hope to embrace B9 unusual exterior styling. Interior superb- driver's "cockpit" design, ease in reading well positioned dash instruments. Good mileage, great cornering & handling, smooth ride, A+ rear seat comfort & A/C controls & 20k less than ML with equal options.
Very Classy Car
My husband and I were originally looking to purchase the Murano, and as I was conducting research, I came across the Tribeca. After going to the dealer and seeing it in person, we had to have it. We absolutely love this car. We have the Atlantic Blue with grey interior. It's like a cross between the BMW X3, Infiniti, the Lexus and the Murano. A lot of features to have fun with including the rear DVD, and it drives like a dream. We haven't had the chance to test out the sports/manual transmission drive yet, but maybe when we go on vacation, we'll be able to test it. Several people have already stopped to ask us what the car is, and we have gotten many curious looks when driving this car.
Great Vehicle
Had narrowed our choice to BMW X3 vs Subaru for safety reasons. Was looking at LL Bean Outback when my wife saw the Tribeca. Wow! The driving performance is slightly below the BMW; however, it surpasses it in the overall package. Subaru does a tremendous job of equipping the vehicle with so many standard options. Dealer experience was the best we have EVER had. I had no idea Subaru made vehicles like this. Very impressed with the build quality, performance and luxury of the vehicle.
the Tribeca crossover
After owning the Tribeca for about three weeks, I must say we are very pleased with the car. We find the vehicle has an ample amount of leg room both front and back. We like the fact that the rear seats have fore and aft movement. The car handles beautifully. So far its been a pleasure to own.
So far lovin it
This is my first SUV purchase. After driving my husband's Ford Explorer around I knew I had to finally get rid of my old '99 Honda Accord. The Subaru Tribeca looks very modern and that is one of the reasons why I really like it. Inside the dash is amazing - simply beautiful. It is quite easy to drive and park (and I am not the best parallel parker). I love the solid feeling the Tribeca gives me. I feel very safe driving it.
SUV Subaru at last
Excellent driving experience in snow and tarmac. Good power, excellent AWD and traction control. Windshield wipers obscure view of nose and headlights.
Fun "Car" to Drive
We have driven 6000 miles to date in the last 5 months. This is a very fun "car" to drive. My wife is 5'1" and loves it. We looked at ALL of the other options out there. Until this we could not look at Subaru due to the fact we use the 6+ passenger seating often. I still don't know how my 10 year old fits in the 3rd seat. She says it's very comfortable. As long as the family is happy so am I! What a fun car to drive, very sporty. I am looking forward to ski season to see how this vehicle does in the snow!
I love this Subaru!
This car is awesome. It handles winter roads unbelievably well. Power is great. Interior is awesome. Seems complicated at first but has many many useful features. Very nice car.
Beautiful Car!
The car is a genuine winner. It's my 10th Subaru and easily the best.
Great Car--Major Collision-Were Alive
A great car for the money.
Love this Vehicle
I purchased my Tribeca three weeks ago after driving a Suburban for the past 8 years and I love it! It is very comfortable and easy to get in and out of. It has plenty of power for the mountain roads. I especially love the DVD Player for our kids. The trip to our cabin this past weekend was the quietest trip we have ever had. Since purchasing my Tribeca I have had four people stop me and ask what it was and just the other day found a doctor peaking into the windows while I had it parked in the parking lot. He liked it so much I ended up opening the doors to let him take a look at it.
Rear Lift gate hydraulic jacks weak
Purchased B9 in July/05 for an extra auto. Found the B9 great to drive, roomy, and very comfortable. After the past 120 days have found the rear lift gate hydraulic lifts are weakening and not performing well. Mileage is getting much better than when first purchased. Larger gas tank would be helpful to go further than just 300 miles on a tank of gas.
I LOVE this thing!
Once I went out on a test drive, I was doomed! This car floats over the road, and is as quiet as an electric vehicle, yet still has plenty of muscle and handles beautifully. The reviewer who said it drives like "a big, heavy truck" had to be following one with his windows open and OD'ing on the fumes. The nose does take some getting used to, but the interior and other angles of the exterior are design marvels. So - if you love the feel of being pulled laboriously down the road by a noisy, vibrating engine placed at your knee level, and really enjoy the look of fake burled wood all around, then by all means stay away. Otherwise, you may just get 'Beca'd.
Better than the BMW or Lexus
I previously owned a Subaru, and wanted to again buy such a reliable automobile. I test drove Lexus, BMW, Mercedes and a number of other SUV's. Then I read about, and immediately test drove and purchased the new Subaru Tribeca. For the money, the luxury and quality of this vehicle can not be beat. My average mileage is about 21; less than expected but okay. The comfort and style of the vehicle is first rate. Now that I have the navigation system, I can not imagine being without one (it is like a cell phone, it becomes a necessity). The interior is extremely attractive and roomy, also great headroom for a tall guy.
My Tribeca -- a good choice!
Love it! Whether zipping around town or settling down for a road trip it is fun to drive. It has great response to the gas pedal and the steering wheel. Have been on a trip from Cincinnati to Lawton OK and another to Savannah GA and enjoyed the Tribeca on the road as much as in the city.
Very nice!
All I can say is this thing is great. We had a lot of rain here in Hawaii over the past few weeks and I never felt safer, and after the rain stopped I took it to the dealer to get washed they told me how people flocked in for a little AWD safety.
Buy It - Lease It - GET IT TODAY
I got my Tribeca Saturday. Monday drove it to FL, phenomenal, my 4th Subaru, somewhat biased? Maybe, but have Audi's as well. I leased no money down, taxes rolled in etc. and pay $498.00. Now this does include some excess from my previous VDC which I owned but still owed on! I have the 15,000 miles allowance and a $20,995 buyout. I cannot recommend this car enough. I also test drove everything comparable; the only other serious contenders for me: the hybrid twins from Toyota; the Lexus was too much and the Highlander just not visually exciting. On I-95, it tracked true, it's quick enough and 21 mpg! Nav and MP3 are standouts; how did i live without these before? NO disappointments here - recommended.
Love the Tribeca
I have had my Tribeca for almost a month and LOVE the car. I traded out of a Lexus RX330 and have not compromised at all. I have every available option you would need and the car drives like a dream. It is heavier than the Lexus but that is due to AWD that is standard on Subarus. I would definitely recommend this car!
Blind Spots
Design flaw that needs reviewing is blind spots. Bigger mirrors may help however there is a definite blind spot in the rear window area. Nice ride, great features but safety concerns.
Best Yet!
The Tribeca is the fourth Subaru I have owned and it is truly the "best yet"! At 15 years and 250,000 miles, I gave my 1990 Legacy to my mother-in-law and prepared to buy an Outback wagon--until I saw the "coming soon" promotion on the Subaru website. I am not sorry that I waited 4 months for the Tribeca. The styling outside and in is very sleek and eye-catching. The controls for AC/stereo are very convenient. The Tribeca handles very well and is as fun to drive as my Legacy. I have taken several trips to mountainous areas. The Tribeca holds the road in the curves extremely well and I have plenty of power climbing. It handled wet roads perfectly. Comfort, style, performance -- best yet!
Excellent Value
Subaru has hit a home run with the Tribeca. The build quality is excellent. It has all the features one could ask for in this type of SUV. Good performance. Low interior noise. It has 18" wheels and is very responsive. Since it's a brand new model just delivered, I can't rate reliability, but my experience with Subarus has been excellent. Thus far performance and fun-to-drive factors for the Tribeca exceed my expectations.
B9 Divine
Traded a Tahoe for the B9. Runs well. Shifting is substandard since I live in hilly area.
Best car Ever
My wife and I are journalists and work from home offices. She suggested looking at the Tribeca in the hope it would get me out of the house more often. Previously we averaged 5500 miles per year; now 9000. I guess it worked! We have owned everything from a Dino to a Q45; nothing garners more attention than the B9; which is especially amazing in a car-jaded town like West Los Angeles. Handling and breaking is on a par with a sports sedan and fit and finish is first rate--more than several rungs above its price point. Absolutely wonderful!
owner
Rated as being one of the safest vehicles on the road. All wheel drive is beneficial in snow and wet conditions also. Speed and performance is good for this type of vehicle. Mileage is low - we get approx. 21 miles per gallon since owning the vehicle. Wife is driving vehicle. I'm not too pleased with the appearance of vehicle, but is handy with hatch and seats that go completely down. Very reliable and no issues whatsoever with the vehicle. GPS system is a great option if you travel frequently. We use it quite frequently. Kids enjoy seeing movies and makes the longer trips bearable for us also. We simply run to the library and have them pick out a few cds to watch.
Disappointment
In mountains you cannot use cruise per manual and experience. Foot drive results in shifting under load between 3 & 4 gears. Have to rev engine to 5000+ rpm to maintain freeway speed. Engine screams and high rpm bad for engine. Won't pull hills in 4th. Sport shift helps but is not responsive enough and will shift gears without driver knowing. Any call for power even on level road results in high rpm in 3rd with engine howling. Didn't pay all this money for automatic & cruise and not be able to use it. In general, lack of power causes behavior like my pickup towing a heavy camper. Driver seating is designed for small people. It's either stretch arms for wheel or knees "against chest" for 6 footer.
Awesome SUV from Subaru
Overall the Subaru B9 Tribeca is a joy to ride and is quite amazing with a number of features standard. My wife was going to trade in her '99 Mercedes E320 and was looking to replace with an SUV. After looking at a number of SUV's, primarily German and Asian, I chose the all new B9 Tribeca because of the number of features that were standard and of higher quality materials than Nissan and other Asian manufactures. Being a loyal Volkswagen fan I was looking for something with a German look and feel without the price tag and problems of German. After the B9 Tribeca came out I was quite impressed with the press pictures and after driving it didn't even think twice, I bought it.
Love it
After having our 2005 Outback stolen we bought the Tribeca and have been very happy with it. After owning a Lexus RX 300, I find this car as comfortable and even more fun to drive. It has taken a bit to get used to the outside look, but I am very happy with the inside. I am very happy with this car and would recommend it to anyone.
A fun ride!
I have been looking for just the right vehicle that will fit my 6'6" body, be comfortable, get reasonable gas mileage for a small SUV and be fun to drive at a reasonable price. The Subaru B9 is just that car. I look forward to driving this vehicle each day as it truly is comfortable for a tall person. Although it is a bit lacking in 0-60 acceleration it has more than enough power to make the driving experience fun. Both the interior and exterior are refined and stylish. Some have complained about the front end being ugly but I will bet it will grow on people the longer it is out. I love it!