Subaru Tribeca 3.6R premium 7
Filed Under Curt Hennig | Posted on March 29, 2008
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
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