More than a nose job
Filed Under Curt Hennig | Posted on March 20, 2008
The ‘new’ Subaru Tribeca has received a nip, a tuck - and a
heart transplant.
IF THERE were a gossip magazine for automotive facelifts, the
Subaru Tribeca would be a cover star. The difference, though, is
that the surgeon’s work would look better in the after photos.
Subaru’s medium-sized soft-roader, available as a five- or
seven-seater, has been on sale for a little over a year and yet has
already come in for a nip, a tuck and a nose job. It is Subaru’s -
and probably the car industry’s - fastest-ever makeover.
Car makers customarily give their models a freshen-up about
halfway through a vehicle’s life cycle, about three years after its
release. But following a mixed reaction to the original Tribeca
(the nose was intended to resemble that of an aircraft), there is
now an updated model.
Everything forward of the windscreen is new (headlights, bonnet,
bumper, fenders), the aperture of the rear side windows is larger
and there’s a new tailgate, rear bumper and tail-lights.
The changes are more than skin deep. As the Subaru designers
were performing cosmetic surgery, engineers took the opportunity to
perform a heart transplant.
The previous 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine struggled at times on
hills, so Subaru fitted a new ticker which has a bit more life in
it. The new 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine has 5 per cent more power
and 18 per cent more torque (or pulling power) than the previous
engine.
It also uses slightly less fuel than its predecessor, according
to the figure on the compulsory fuel rating label, which is
calculated on a lab test. During our road test, though, the new
Tribeca was no more frugal than its predecessor, consuming between
16 and 19 litres for each 100 kilometres in a mix of city and
highway driving. In comparison, we’ve recorded slightly lower
figures for the new Toyota Kluger (14 to 17 litres/100km) in
similar driving conditions.
At least the updated Tribeca has less expensive tastes when it
comes to fuel. The previous model insisted on premium unleaded but
this one makes do with regular unleaded.
Subaru also installed a new automatic transmission. It has the
same number of ratios as the old one (five) but with much smoother
and more predictable shifts.
As with the original Tribeca, there are four models in the new
line-up: two five-seaters and two-seven seaters. Despite the
extensive changes, prices remain the same, ranging from $53,990 to
$60,990.
Standard equipment on all models includes satellite navigation,
a rear camera (now with a slightly wider view), dual-zone
air-conditioning, power-adjustable front seats, sliding second-row
seats, remote entry, high intensity xenon headlights and a better
quality sound system.
The flagship models of each version carry a $5000 premium and
come with leather upholstery, heated front seats with “his and her”
settings for the adjustable seating positions, a sunroof and a
roof-mounted DVD player with a pair of wireless headphones.
The cabin looks smart, which is probably why little has changed.
It has a cockpit-style design, where the controls sweep around the
driver. There is, however, a downside to this. Some basic controls
are a little out of reach.
We also noted that some of the plastics feel cheap and hard to
the touch. This may be attributed to the fact this Subaru is made
in Lafayette, Indiana, US, whereas all other Subarus sold locally
come from Japan.
Some of the dials - in particular the fancy-looking
air-conditioning controls with a digital display in the centre -
felt a little flimsy. At least the instruments directly in front of
the driver, such as the speedometer, are clear and easy to
read.
The steering wheel has illuminated audio controls and the cruise
control is mounted on a stalk. Cabin storage is average (rivals
have larger door pockets and centre consoles) but adequate.
Third-row seat access has been improved. The second-row seat now
has hinges and sits on rails so it can tilt and slide forward.
Unfortunately, it’s still pretty cramped once you’re in the third
row. It’s for kids only. As before, the third-row seats fold into
the floor to create a flat load space.
The Tribeca has a five-star safety rating for crash protection
and a four-star rating for rollover protection (authorities are yet
to award five stars to a 4WD for rollover protection) and comes
with a comprehensive level of safety kit, including stability
control and six airbags. There is one blot, however. The curtain
airbags don’t extend to the third-row seats (curtain airbags cover
all three rows in the Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Kluger). For a brand
that promotes its safety credentials (every model in the Subaru
line-up has a five-star crash rating), the lack of curtain airbag
protection in the third row seems a disappointing oversight.
I found it difficult to find a comfortable driving position in
the Tribeca. The driver’s seat cushion is flat and unsupportive and
the steering wheel has tilt-adjustment but not
reach-adjustment.
Larger, ultra-wide view convex mirrors on both sides help you
manoeuvre this rather large vehicle in traffic, with good vision of
what’s in each lane either side.
Despite the larger rear glass area, the Tribeca’s view when
parking is still marginal, which is presumably why Subaru has
fitted a wider angle camera and the image appears on a screen in
the middle of the dashboard. It should be noted that the Tribeca’s
latest camera and screen are quite clear, especially at night, when
some systems are not at their best.
The new xenon headlights are a welcome change too, with a
toothpaste-white glow on low beam and a strong, long range from the
regular globes on high beam, making it ideal for country
driving.
Subaru expects many Tribecas will end up towing caravans, which
is why it has improved the cooling on the transmission and made an
effort to improve the towing capacity. The claimed maximum braked
towing capacity of the new model is 2000kg and the unbraked towing
capacity is 750kg. But Subaru has increased the tow ball weight
from 100kg to 160kg with the new model. That said, I’d be inclined
to tow lighter, smaller caravans to build in some margin for
reliability and durability.
As with all Subarus, the Tribeca is covered by an unlimited
kilometre three-year warranty, which should appeal to those who
plan on covering long distances. Service intervals are the same as
other Subarus, too, at 12,500 kilometres.
Given the Tribeca is likely to be used on long hauls, it is odd
Subaru has fitted a space-saver spare tyre. These are only good
enough to get you to the next town, provided it’s within the range
of the space-saver - shown by a wear indicator on the tyre.
Space-saver tyres seriously diminish a vehicle’s road holding,
which is why a maximum speed of 80kmh is recommended. If you’re
planning a big trek, we suggest you buy a full-size spare wheel and
tyre from Subaru, or perhaps even from eBay. You might be able to
squeeze it into the cargo area of a five-seater; otherwise, store
it in whatever you’re towing or strap it to a roof rack (provided
the roof rack is capable of carrying the weight of the spare).
A switch to wider tyres has made modest improvements in the ride
and handling of the Tribeca, although they’re designed for comfort
rather than corners. However, the car steers predictably and feels
sure-footed, thanks to its all-wheel-drive grip - but you can feel
the vehicle’s overall weight. The only real letdown with the
suspension is that the front end can be quite noisy as it deals
with bumps and thumps.
Overall, the new Tribeca is a step forward compared with the old
model. But a few things still weigh against it, including cabin
comfort, the space-saver spare and the lack of curtain airbag
protection in the third row. It also faces some stiff competition,
such as the Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Kluger, two models we prefer.
That said, Subaru devotees will probably warm to the new
Tribeca. After all, it’s what Subaru should have built in the first
place.
‘FAST FACTS
SUBARU TRIBECA
Price $53,990-$60,990.
Country of origin United States.
Engine 3.6-litre six-cylinder.
Power 190kW at 6000rpm.
Torque 350Nm at 4000rpm.
Weight 1888kg-1942kg.
Drivetrain Five-speed auto with all-wheel-drive.
Safety Five-star crash rating by NCAP and four-star rating by US
authorities for rollover protection (no 4WD yet has five stars).
Rear camera, stability control and six airbags but the curtain
airbags don’t cover the third row seats.
Consumption and emissions 11.6 litres/100km and 275g/km.
Resale value Subarus tend to hold their value but the Tribeca is
a little weaker than its peers. Redbook forecasts it will retain
between 52 and 63 per cent of its RRP after three years, compared
with Toyota’s Kluger (53 to 66 per cent) and Mazda’s CX-9 (55 to 66
per cent).
Pros The updated model gets more power, better economy, smoother
gearshifts, better road holding, a rear camera and runs on regular
unleaded. Cabin looks good.
Cons Some materials and dials feel cheap. Third row seat is
cramped. Lack of curtain airbags in the third row is disappointing
from a brand that promotes safety.
Stars * * * (THREE STARS)
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