Subaru Tribeca 2007 review: snapshot

The challenging look comes from a former Alfa Romeo designer who obviously liked the centre shield front look with squinty tail lights and transposed it to Subaru.

Dig a little deeper into the Tribeca and you'll find an impressive vehicle, beautifully built and blessed with a super slick looking, functional interior. It has tidy road manners and feels solid and safe.

The value for money proposition is also hard to resist with the $53,990 base model having dual air conditioning, cruise, Sooby's version of ESP, six air bags, satnav, 18in alloys, multi speaker audio and a rear view camera.

Explore the 2007 Subaru Tribeca range

• Subaru Tribeca 2007 review: road test
• Subaru Tribeca 2007 review
• Subaru Tribeca 2007 review: snapshot

And though we didn't venture off road, the 50/50 all wheel drive and good ground clearance would allow Tribeca to go most places short of heavy duty mudlarking or rock hopping. But don't get a flat because the spare's a space saver.

It's a medium/large SUV competing directly with the almost equally visually challenging Nissan Murano and the stylish, locally-made Ford Territory Ghia.

Two models are offered: 3.0R and Premium in either five or seven seat configuration.

The engine is a petrol 3.0-litre flat six from Liberty and Outback and drives through a five speed auto offering sequential gear selection.

Maximum output is 180kW/297Nm with the DOHC engine benefitting from variable valve timing and variable valve lift. Tribeca under- went local engineering refinement and it shows as the vehicle is super quiet on the road and offers a comfortable, controlled ride with a distinct sporty flavour.

It tips the scales at around 1900kg and the beef hits fuel consumption. We averaged about 14-litres/100km with mixed driving but it goes up around town or when you push it on the highway with a load and the aircon' blasting.

The auto works a treat and is a happier system than the Si drive autos in Outback and Liberty with the same engine.

Performance is good for a vehicle this weight and size and the auto seamlessly flicks between ratios to keep everything on the boil.

In a departure from Sooby-law, Tribeca has sash doors but access into the vehicle is easy. The third row of seats is for kids.

Interior design is clever offering plenty of room and a sliding second row of seats. There are about a dozen cup holders in the cabin and numerous storage compartments.

It's good to drive, responsive, sounds great and has plenty underfoot. The seats are comfy with even the base model having electrically adjustable fronts.

Sitting in Tribeca you could be in a luxury car - it has that air about it.

It's a super safe vehicle too passing the Australian NCAP crash test with a five star rating.

Tribeca is the fifth product line for Subaru and like all the others, the vehicle is all quality and well engineered. It's just the skin you have to get used to.