Subaru Tribeca Reviews

After decades of building small and mid-sized crossover all-wheel-drives, Subaru introduced the Tribeca SUV to compete at the big end of town in the 4WD market.

Car experts say women often opt for a 4WD because it makes them feel safer and fashion also plays a part.So how do the cars compare? We took a selection for a road test to find the mum mobile which best suits you. FOR THE MUM WHO LIKES TO BLEND IN FORD TERRITORY TS RWD REVIEWER: RUTH LAMPERD STYLE QUOTA: The mainstream face of the big car range. It seems about 150 families at the children's school drive them already. So, if fashion is defined as “what everyone else is wearing/eating/driving”, this one is right up there.SCHOOL RUN FACTOR: A minor problem is waiting children can't work out which Territory they should get into.KIDDIE-PROOF LEVEL: For three young boys (9, 7 and 4), this vehicle stood the week-long test and emerged easily intact. The littlest chap, squeezing into his booster seat, did tip out and on to the footpath at one point while wrestling with a seatbelt. There was nothing to hold him in. They struggled to get in and out of the third-row seats, but enjoyed the distance between them and mum.FEATURES: Mounds of shopping bags can be easily stacked into the back door through a window, instead of having to open the entire door and balance them precariously before shutting it (as you do with a van). But don't forget which part of the back door you should open to unload — you will end up with your groceries on your driveway.PRICE: $46,190, including extras of prestige colour ($400) and third-row bench seat ($1800).SAFETY: A standard reverse sensing system gives you a series of beeps in increasing urgency if you're about to back into something. Has driver, front passenger and side curtain airbags. The Territory's Acutrac system (with ABS,) dynamic stability control and traction control were not put to the test. But nice to know they're there.PRACTICALITY: A car with the capacity to treat unforgiving speed humps like blips. You don't have to slow down (much) and still the children's heads don't hit the roof.TERRAIN COVERED: Freeways, highways, suburban streets.MUM MOST LIKELY: Those who like their cars big but not landmark fashion statements.AND NATIONAL MOTORING EDITOR PAUL GOVER SAYS: The homegrown hero is only let down by its fuel economy, although that has just had a tweak together with a restyle job that is so minor even the experts will be pushed to pick it. Lots of space inside and a thumpy Falcon six means it goes well, but don't waste time or money on the all-wheel drive package.Ford Territory for sale FOR THE MUM WITH ATTITUDE MITSUBISHI PAJERO REVIEWER: KATE JONES STYLE QUOTA: As a confessed four-wheel-drive hater, I was surprised to find myself feeling quite trendy in this beast. It's not as square-cut as the Jeep, but it's still big and strong looking enough to mean business. After just one glance at it, my husband had christened it Hercules.SCHOOL RUN FACTOR: With an extra three fold-up seats in the back, this school bus can carry eight. Just don't tell the other mums. Parking is easier than you'd expect and it's a dream in traffic. The reversing camera, displayed on the in-dash satellite navigation screen, is essential in this car size — especially where there are children.KIDDIE-PROOF LEVEL: This car can take anything that's thrown at it, literally. My daughter tried many food types, soil, sand and other unidentified objects. The beauty of leather seats is that anything can be wiped right off. The exterior is tough, too. The bumper bars are in the right spot to cop unruly prams and trolleys. And just a tip — kids love the outside step and hanging off the car. This is best tried while the car is stationary.FEATURES: Wow, where do I start. The in-dash navigation system, audio controls on the steering wheel, reversing camera, diesel engine, roof racks, rear tinted windows etc. My favourite was perhaps the most simple — rear airconditioning. In our station wagon, the airconditioning is fabulous but only for front passengers. In the Pajero, my child didn't swelter.PRICE: The base price of the Pajero VRX diesel auto is $66,490 (excluding taxes). Sat-nav and reversing camera cost an extra $2500. Accessories such as the luggage area cargo net, rubber mats and rear camera and screen in interior mirror range from $51 to $1035.SAFETY: Being an ultra-cautious mum, a nagging thought was the safety of reversing around small children. But the reversing camera option eased my mind. Other paranoid mums and dads will also like the SRS driver and passenger airbags as well as the curtain airbags.PRACTICALITY: Size-wise, it's a beast. At first, I doubted my ability to manoeuvre this thing. Also, the luggage area is huge — pop in the pram, portacot, nappy bag and whatever else you can think of and you'll probably still have room.TERRAIN COVERED: Local streets and a run to the beach. A full tank of diesel will last about 500km.MUM MOST LIKELY: Mums on the go, especially those in outer urban or country areas who need a 4WD. Mums with more than three children will appreciate the extra leg room.PAUL GOVER SAYS: One of the oldest four-wheel drive names in the business still stands for quality, reliability and off-road ability. Also a good tow vehicle for mid-range work. Not as sexy as the surburban SUVs, but a lighter drive than a Toyota LandCruiser or Nissan Patrol.Mitsubishi Pajero for sale FOR THE ALPHA MUM BMW X5 REVIEWER: KAMAHL COGDON STYLE QUOTA: The supermodel of the road, this not-so-little number brings new meaning to bitumen fashion.SCHOOL RUN FACTOR: For those who like to make a statement. Small car parks posed no problems. The rear camera and electronic distance and direction guide ruled out unwanted surprises while reversing.KIDDIE PROOF LEVEL: Nothing risky or annoying within reach of my four-year-old's booster seat in the centre spot but let him loose and he had a field day pushing buttons. Thankfully he waited until we parked to open the sunroof and stick his head out.FEATURES: Most of the gadgets were lost on me. I'm sure the six-CD changer and the ability to switch channels on the dashboard TV are great but Channel 7 isn't that bad. I mastered the radio, eventually. Built-in navigation system could be a marriage saver for mums who don't do maps.PRICE: As a working mum of two, safety, fuel efficiency and affordability are the three things I seek in a new car. Two out of three ain't bad. This BMW X5 is more than $109,000.SAFETY: ABS brakes, corner brake control, airbags in every nook, dynamic stability and traction control, hill descent control, rollover sensor, all-wheel drive. I'm not sure what most of these do but I've never felt safer at the wheel.PRACTICALITY: There's ample room for prams, bags, sports gear etc. One boot door opens upward for quick access and a lower door opens down flat to let you slide in cumbersome loads. Passengers have plenty of leg room.TERRAIN COVERED: Mostly city driving but also the open roads of the Mornington Peninsula and Princes Highway.MUM MOST LIKELY: The mum for whom a big bank balance and big sunglasses are standard, and the kids are an optional extra, thanks to a nanny.PAUL GOVER SAYS: The benchmark for suburban SUVs drives more like a car than a four-wheel drive, and has great engines including a frugal turbodiesel and an enjoyable 3-litre petrol motor. Not cheap from $86,635 before options but definitely the first choice for driving enjoyment.BMW X5 for sale FOR THE THINKING MUM VOLVO XC90 REVIEWER: MICHELLE POUNTNEY STYLE QUOTA: It's solid, looks good and works well for the mum who likes safety and function in a car that still says style at the shopping centre.SCHOOL RUN FACTOR: Instant street cred with the teen family members. The XC90 also has a third row of seats, making it a seven-seater — handy when extra kids need a ride.KIDDIE-PROOF LEVEL: The kids appreciated their own air vents in the back. And with a DVD entertainment system in the back, the toddler was happy with her new ride.FEATURES: The navigation system made finding new destinations a breeze. The reverse parking sensors were a help in tight spaces but living in a court where children often play outside, I felt a little vulnerable backing the big Volvo from the driveway without a rear camera.PRICE: $81,450.SAFETY: The family felt safe in the embracing cocoon of the Volvo with its checklist of safety features such as roll stability, whiplash protection and six airbags including front, curtain and side impact. Visibility in traffic was good except when there were other four-wheel-drives around.PRACTICALITY: It was hard getting the toddler in and out of her centre seat. I had to climb on board. The leather seats are easy to wipe and the middle seat with toddler car seat on it can be moved forward. While we didn't try it out, parents can listen to the radio in the front while the teens listen to a CD in the back and the toddler watches a DVD. The in-built iPod dock won votes from the teens. As a five-seater, the boot space is huge. The tailgate folds flat for easy loading and its height makes for a great mobile change table for the toddler. As a seven-seater the boot space is compromised but a stroller and the weekly shop still fits easily.TERRAIN COVERED: One week of school holiday driving including a visit to family across town.MUM MOST LIKELY: Likes her car safe and her family cocooned and has the cash to do it.PAUL GOVER SAYS: One of the biggest SUVs with plenty of room for seven, and good fun with the V8 engine choice. But heavy to drive and very hard to park, which counts against it in the suburbs. Plenty of people will like the safety gear, but the smaller XC60 is the best Volvo choice.Volvo XC90 for sale  FOR THE SEMI-URBAN MUM LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2 REVIEWER: KYLIE HANSEN STYLE QUOTA: I had an image of this car belonging in the English countryside, driven by a woman sporting pearls, a twinset and a serious pair of gumboots. I was pleasantly surprised at how urban it looked.A nice looking machine that could hold its head high at any school pickup. With its diesel engine, it still has a slightly manly feel and any family man will also feel right at home behind the wheel. But it's also a stylish car for the outdoorsy mum — or at the very least the mum who stands on the sidelines at soccer practice.However, in terms of popularity, I can't see it embraced by urban Melbourne mummies as universally as say, the Ford Territory or at the other end of the scale, the BMW X5. But perhaps, for some mums, that would be the appeal.SCHOOL RUN FACTOR: Easy to manoeuvre and, while a big car, it's very easy to reverse and park. It is well designed so lifting small children in and out of seats is easy. There's great space in the back for all the family accessories. I almost felt obliged to do a garden centre run to make use of all my portable carry space.KIDDIE-PROOF LEVEL: Easy wipe-down seats. Great space means small children aren't cramped in together, making family road trips more peaceful, genteel affairs.FEATURES: The children were enthralled by the rear-vision windows, which automatically close when the car is turned off. Loved the airconditioning — nice and strong on a hot Melbourne day and keeps the kids cool in the back as well. It has a good music system for when you've dropped off the kids and want to crank up the stereo. It has all the accessories for a stylish, modern family — tents, ski gear and boating accessories will fit quite nicely in the back.PRICE: $58,790.SAFETY: The best thing about this car is how high the driver's seat is. You can see everything and everyone clearly.PRACTICALITY: Easy wipe-down seats, so it's great to keep clean. Not too difficult for small children to climb in and out of.TERRAIN COVERED: Shopping centre dashes, kindergarten pickups, city driving. This car moved effortlessly between them all.MUM MOST LIKELY: The mum who likes a mix of city and coastal cool. Would suit the commuter mum who's made a sea change but still likes her city fix and needs a car for all terrains without sacrificing style.PAUL GOVER SAYS: Has the right badge but lags behind the latest Volvo XC60 and Audi Q7 as a fashion statement and suburban runabout. It's really best in the bush, which makes it the choice for serious weekend escapes.Land Rover Freelander 2 for sale FOR THE MUM WITH NO TIME TO SPARE SUBARU TRIBECA REVIEWER: TRUDY MICKELBUROUGH STYLE QUOTA: I loved being seen in this vehicle. It looks great, is not overly big and with a sunroof, stereo and DVD system, is a very nice way to cruise.SCHOOL RUN FACTOR: Easy to manoeuvre and parallel park thanks to the reversing camera and guiding lines that appear on screen. The vehicle is a seven-seater, so ideal for a larger family and in my case, given the leg room in the back seats, ideal for teenagers. I loved the amount of room in the back for all the shopping, the bike, bags etc.KIDDIE-PROOF LEVEL: As my children are teenagers we didn't have to put the kiddy-proof locks into action. However, they are easy to use.FEATURES: The seat heaters were great. We couldn't believe how quickly they heat up and the air ventilation was really good. DVD player with wireless headphones is great for a long trip. Large mirrors. Satellite navigation and air control in the back seat area.PRICE: $61,490 upwards.SAFETY: Backing out was no problem. The camera is so clear you can even see cracks in the road. The car feels safe and has a large number of airbags.PRACTICALITY: The car is ideal for running teens to their different activities — a full-sized bike can fit into the back easily once rear seats are lowered.TERRAIN COVERED: City and suburban streets.MUM MOST LIKELY: Mums on the run who have a lot of kids, lots of stuff and not enough time.PAUL GOVER SAYS: Not the sexiest family wagon in showrooms, but it gets the job done. Much better since a facelift which improved the ugly nose and made performance - a weakness at first - much sharper with slightly improved fuel economy. A hidden treasure in this field.Subaru Tribeca for sale

June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl.But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels.CITROENThe new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty.FORDThe death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away.The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle.HOLDENAs the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi.HONDAClipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off.KIAFree on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card. All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch.MITSUBISHIThe manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto.Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000.The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices.NISSANA 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive.OPELThere are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed.PEUGEOTFree on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here.RENAULTA Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance.Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight.SUBARUDrive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding.SUZUKIThe front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece.TOYOTAThere's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry.VOLKSWAGENDrive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY.VOLVOFuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40.Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTSYou must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise.But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price.The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today.If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it.Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties.No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead.The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot.And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs.Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already. 

The wagon was deemed a touch odd in its styling and a touch underpowered. Despite Subaru's well-credentialled history in this business of SUVs — think Forester and Liberty — the big Tribeca was up against some considered competition in this larger, more premium corner of the market.The first Tribeca arrived here in late 2006 and, as elsewhere, was a slow seller.The second version arrived about 12 months later. Most agree it is better.Some of that may well be subjective, for Tribeca No.1, which did have a strange nose, inspired by parent company Fuji Industries' aeroplane heritage. The wagon's grille was loud, much unloved and perhaps turned away a customer or three.That point of contention disappeared in version two. Now the Tribeca has a face more Forester-style with grille slats plus new bonnet and headlights, it will not scare the kiddies or the Yanks.The all-wheel-drive wagon's rear was also reworked with wider tail-lights, bigger rear windows, new tailgate and bumper.So the Tribeca looks tidier, more conventional in today's bold style of a lump-sized piece of SUV.And the engine capacity was lifted from 3 litres to 3.6 litres, taking power up 10kW to 190kW. Torque is up 17.8 per cent from 297Nm to 350Nm. The five-speed auto transmission was also revised for smarter shifts.The result is a very handy handsome family wagon with five or seven seats.It is packed with safety and convenience although the sweep-around, fighter-pilot styled front cabin may be a little overdone with the bewildering array of switches and dials over the centre console, and in some contrast to the now-restrained exterior style.Little of this matters for the Subaru Tribeca handles the cut and thrust of city traffic well. Visibility is good and despite the bulk it parks with few dramas — helped here by a rear vision camera — and keeps pace with city motoring.Motor and transmission are smooth and competent.On the open road the Tribeca is quiet and comfortable over all surfaces.The big Subaru is not to be thrown around like a WRX but it has good road manners and good grip. It feels safe and sure, and that primary safety is backed by a five-star NCAP crash rating plus front, side and curtain airbags.Occupants sit high and with the five-seater test vehicle there's good cargo room when that third row is not in use.This is a solid and capable soft-roader, quite versatile and comfortable.Rivals here include the Ford Territory, Toyota Kluger and now Mazda's CX-9, and the Subaru Tribeca is not left behind.The Mazda CX-9 is the most likely rival; each has its own character and virtues — the Mazda's lower pricing structure is a plus yet the Tribeca's more restrained nature may better suit some.

Some people at Subaru need a kick up the backside. The Subaru team has been slacking and their latest work is a reflection of how badly they have neglected their duty.The rushed arrival of an updated Tribeca wagon, less than a year after the introduction of a badly flawed original, has me steaming.The update answers every single criticism I made of the original, but what about the people who bought a Tribeca in good faith? They now see a car with much improved front and rear styling, a bigger engine and upgraded transmission less than a year after they parked the flawed original in the driveway?It's not good enough to say the new Tribeca is a car I'd happily recommend. It should have been done right in the first place.“So we have the right car at the wrong time,” Subaru Australia head Nick Senior says. “Are we embarrassed? No, because we sold 1500 of the first-generation Tribeca and those people love their cars."“The changes have transformed the car,” Senior says.There has been a significant makeover to remove the offensive, brutal front end Subaru claimed was a tribute to its roots as an aircraft maker. There is also a tail nip-tuck.The flat-six engine has been boosted from 3.2 to 3.6 litres, liberating 17.8 per cent more torque and 5.5 per cent more power and better fuel economy.The transmission has been revised for sharper shifts and better response. The rear suspension has also been substantially improved.Small changes run from an improved third row of seats to larger rear quarter windows, improvements to the exhaust, cooling and power steering, xenon headlamps and even a boost to the towing capacity.It has all been done without lifting the price, which starts at $53,990 for the five-seat Tribeca.Subaru could say the improvements are a reaction to increased competition, particularly from the good-looking new Mazda CX-7 and CX-9, but it is not hiding from the reality of a much-needed upgrade.There are still two models, the 3.6R and the Premium. Even the base Tribeca gets everything from electronic stability control and anti-skid brakes to alloy wheels, remote central locking and alloy wheels.So why bother with an extra $5000 for the Premium model? Because it means an upgrade to leather trim, sunroof and rear DVD system, though the optional seven-seat cabin package puts another $2000 on the bill. On the roadOnly one of my Tribeca complaints has not been answered by the 2008 upgrade model; the front seats are still flat and unsupportive.Apart from that, I have to praise everything from the engine response to the performance, refinement and fuel economy. The new driveline is much stronger and does that work much easier, and the ride and handling is smoother and more composed.And I like the new nose. The Tribeca comes through the test fleet at an interesting time, straight after a Volvo XC90 V8 and ahead of a Mazda CX-9. All three are new-age four-wheel-drive wagons aimed more at suburban families than people who seriously need to go into the bush.Compared with the Volvo and Mazda, the Tribeca is not as roomy. But it's more car-like and refined. And with better visibility than the CX-9 and a better chassis than the XC90. I also have to come back to the original Tribeca, which was well underdone in the engine despite its good-looking cabin and loads of standard equipment.This time around, Tribeca II is better from the time you turn the ignition. It has more bottom-end pulling power, the engine feels smoother and more powerful, and the five-speed auto works with the driver instead of doing its own thing.The result is a car that is crisp and eager, and relatively light at the pumps. Economy figures come in at 12.4 litres for 100km and a cruising thirst of less than 9.0 litres.I like the suspension, which seems to have more grip, and Subaru's signature all-wheel drive gives good grip and balance in turns.The cabin is roomy for five, but gets pinched — for people and luggage — with the third-row bench folded up for action. And I still find visibility a bit restricted, though the rear-view camera is good.I like the DVD system in the test car, and the sunroof, but probably not the price, which is getting beyond the reach of most big families.I would pick the Subaru ahead of the Ford Territory because of its refinement, and ahead of the Toyota Kluger because it is a better design that is better executed. It also rates well ahead of the thirsty Mazda CX-7 and — for me — is just a little in front of the CX-9.So this year's Tribeca is a winner and one to recommend for family wagon buyers.And that's the biggest reason to kick Subaru. It could and should have been this good a year ago.The bottom lineA winner. But it should have been right the first time. 82/100Fast factThe engine in the Tribeca is the largest-capacity Subaru boxer motor, but is actually 700g lighter and has the same physical dimensions. 

The market asked for a bigger engine, so it has now a gutsier 3.6-litre rather than the previous 3.0-litre. Customers asked for a better looking nose and tail – they’ve got it. They’ve even got a few things they didn’t ask for, like a bit of extra equipment and a price freeze.The changes had an effect even before the mid-sized SUV went on sale this week.When the updated Tribeca appeared at Sydney Motor Show in October, there was a marked spike in the level of interest. That’s bright news for Subaru, which hoped to sell 150 Tribecas per month, but has notched up about 130 per month on average.However it’s been a success in terms of conquest sales, with close to 80 per cent of buyers trading in from other brands.But some of those might have been former Subaru owners forced to look elsewhere when they wanted to move to a SUV.“Even our most loyal customers had no choice but to walk away if they needed the features a SUV offers, like more than five seats,” spokesman David Rowley says.The first Tribeca didn’t exactly bring them back in droves, but the new one has a better chance.For a start, it’s lost the controversial nose and tail in favour of a much more cohesive look, with a streamlined grille, restyled bumpers, bonnet and light clusters and larger three-quarter windows that update the profile – and improve visibility.Access to the third row in seven-seat versions has been made easier, but otherwise there’s little change in the cabin. And really, nothing was needed; with the flowing dash, storage nooks everywhere and quality materials making the previous model a pleasant place to be – until you actually wanted to go somewhere.But that’s been solved with the new engine –Subaru’s biggest ever – and its better outputs.A new 3.6-litre develops five per cent more power, with its 190kW peaking 600rpm earlier when the needle hits 6000. And dual valve timing helps improve the torque by a robust 18 per cent, now hitting 350Nm at 4000rpm. That’s put to the constant all-wheel drive by a new five-speed automatic with sports and simulated manual modes.Despite being larger, the engine is lighter, and fuel consumption is posted at 11.6 litres/100km – an improvement of 0.8L over the outgoing model. But all those figures are calculated on 95RON petrol, so if you use 91RON Subaru admits there will be a loss of between three and six per cent in low-speed torque and probably about two per cent in fuel efficiency.The prices are unchanged from the previous model, which should help the new one towards the 200 per month sales mark tipped for it, with only two per cent expected to be the $53,990 five-seat base model and eight per cent for the $2000 seven-seat option.At that level you get a great fit-out with all the usual suspects plus MP3-compatible audio, dual zone climate control air-conditioning, eight-way power adjusted front seats, touches of leather on the steering wheel and gear shifter, touch-screen sat nav and reversing camera.And the standard safety list is five-star comprehensive, including dual front, side and curtain airbags, rollover sensor, xenon headlights, traction control and ant-skid brakes with assisting systems for hard and panic braking.But it’s the Premium trim Subaru thinks buyers will largely head for, tipping 25 per cent for the $58,990 five seat but the largest portion — 65 per cent — handing over the extra cash for the seven-seater. This spec gets memory on the driver’s seat and heating to both front ones, leather upholstery, electric sunroof, roof rails and rear seat DVD with wireless headphones and remote control.ON THE ROADThe changes to the Tribeca are noticeable from the turn of the key. Where the outgoing model was lacklustre to the point of insolence, the new arrival is full of zip and eager to please.Tap your foot and the engine responds happily, press it harder and you even get an enjoyable burble from under the bonnet. Launch feel is great and even when we had the car loaded up with luggage there was no sign of it faltering on slopes.Nor did the new transmission hunt up and down through the gears in hilly country. It stepped down smoothly to an appropriate slot and stayed there until the terrain changed. Flicking it over to the Sport mode allowed the shift level to rise from 5000rpm to about 6500rpm, giving an even better reaction, while the simulated manual mode was swift fun.The previous Tribeca was at least reasonably well-composed on the road – although that may have been because it didn’t have enough grunt to get into trouble – but this one’s revised suspension has even improved that area.It always feels confident, insulates the cabin from bumps and can be surprisingly agile in cornering.Even hauling has been improved with the 2000kg braked capacity download increasing from 100kg to 160kg.Only the steering really lets it down with a lack of feedback that leaves you feeling no connection at all to what’s happening on the road. Minor issues are the lack of bolstering on the seats, and – while there are generous doorbins and what seems to be a crowd of cupholders – the glovebox is next to useless.But overall, this is now an enjoyable drive, rather than a tedious one. Subaru finally has the SUV it needed.

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.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.

Subaru is better known for agile rally cars and smaller wagons such as the Outback and Forester that use AWD for optimum traction on tarmac or dirt.It kept running with that formula as other brands built big seven-seat AWD wagons that are selling well in Australia and are huge in the US.Subaru has finally arrived at the big AWD wagon party with a car aimed at the US.It comes standard as a five-seat wagon, but a third row consisting of two extra seats is available. The extra seats and space are just what Subaru Australia needs.It has lost many loyal customers because it couldn't offer them anything larger than the Outback — too small for many families.The Tribeca will take on medium-sized AWDs such as the Ford Territory Ghia, Nissan Murano and Toyota Kluger Grande.It is a stand-alone model, but borrows a six-cylinder engine from the Liberty and Outback. The petrol unit is a 3.0-litre boxer with 180kW and 297Nm. There is no diesel option.When many other models use six-speed transmissions, the Tribeca uses a five-speed automatic.As do its Subaru siblings, the Tribeca has a constant AWD system.All Tribecas come standard with electronic stability control, dual front, side and curtain airbags and seatbelt sensors on all seats indicate if someone has not belted-up.Another sensor detects if the car is about to roll and automatically deploys the curtain airbags.Subaru says the Tribeca is less likely to roll that other big AWD wagons because of its lower centre of gravity thanks largely to the boxer engine (with horizontally opposed cylinders) that sits lower than a regular six-cylinder engine.The Australian New Car Assessment Program awarded Tribeca a five-star safety rating.The five-seat 3.0R, the base Tribeca model, costs $53,990. The seven-seater is $2000 more.A more luxurious 3.0R Premium five-seater costs $58,990 and the seven-seater adds $2000.Standard gear for the base 3.0R includes a rear-vision parking camera, satellite navigation, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, electronically adjustable front seats, multi-function trip computer, six-stack CD sound with MP3/iPod input, 10 cupholders and 18-inch alloy wheels.ON THE ROADMOST Subarus come from Japan, but the Tribeca is made in Lafayette, Indiana. To please the locals, it is big and has plush suspension.And it upholds the US right to have more than one cupholder: the Tribeca has 10.The Tribeca is unlike other lean and agile Subarus, but that doesn't mean it should be written off.It is a large, practical and comfortable family car that comes with a lot of equipment as standard.Unfortunately, the styling seems to have missed the mark. No one surveyed in the week I had the test car liked the look.Some thought it was a bit weird, others thought it wasn't quite right and one person labelled it the ugliest car they had seen. Perhaps that person had not come across a Ssangyong Stavic.The interior also looks different, but in a good way. A flowing wrap-around dashboard makes a feature of the centre-mounted colour screen, which shows rear-camera footage when reversing and all the sat-nav and system info.Subaru has taken a big step forward with its interior quality. The Tribeca has metal-look surfaces and dials that look and feel as if they belong in a more expensive car.Small things such as the way the lid for the compartment between the driver and passenger opens slowly and smoothly is straight out of the Lexus handbook.The Premium model's leather seats are wide and flat (very American) and offer little support, but they are still reasonably comfortable.So are all other five seats, though there isn't a lot of room in the last row.The second row can slide back and forth (its also split 60/40) and all rear seats can fold flat to open up a large cargo area.Small touches such as rear-zone roof mounted airconditioning vents and the roof-mounted DVD should keep passengers happy.I liked the rear-view camera and satellite navigation, which you also get in the base car. Luxuries such as heated seats seem pointless now, but will be nice in winter.The Tribeca is not going to impress people who love to drive. The suspension is soft, there's a fair amount of body roll and it tends to float along.The dirt roads it ran on seemed to suit the Tribeca, which pounded over them with ease. Its AWD system is excellent and really gives good traction in the wet and on slippery gravel.The 3.0-litre engine is a cracker in the Outback and Liberty, but has to work a lot harder to pull almost two tonnes of Tribeca.It really could do with a lot more torque to get off the line and up hills, especially when fully loaded.The boxer engine is a bit noisy, with some chain-whirring sounds when moving at city speeds, but the Tribeca cabin is serene when cruising and decelerating.The five-speed automatic works well enough, but has to change down a fair bit to help the engine maintain speed. A six-speed may have helped.THE BOTTOM LINENOT pretty, but a practical family wagon that is great value for money. 73/100

Twelve years ago Subaru Australia was selling the basic little Brumby 4X4 ute to cash-strapped but shrewd farmers who knew a tough little bargain when they saw one.Last week it launched a luxury crossover vehicle named after the New York arts and culture precinct where most residents don't even own a car.Tribeca stands for triangle below Canal Street. Among New Yorkers that trendy little triangle is regarded as a little gentrified these days, but its successor as the cutting-edge district is less likely to be immortalised in a chrome car badge. The latest avant garde district is down under the Manhattan Bridge overpass — Dumbo for short.Still, with its meaty snout, saggy creases and elephantinely rounded rear end, the extraordinarily odd-looking Tribeca could easily have passed for a Subaru Dumbo — all you'd have to do is open the doors.But plain looks never stopped previous Subarus building cult followings and Subaru Australia is upbeat about the Tribeca. Interest is already high with 1600 potential customers signed up for test drives before it goes on sale on November 25. They're signing up to try Subaru's first seven-seater, and its most expensive model yet.The Tribeca arrives at a time when there is an increasing number of customers for $50,000-plus Subarus, says Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior. "Until now, some of those prospective customers, or existing owners, have reluctantly looked elsewhere when family circumstances dictated they need a larger vehicle," he said.Senior thinks Tribeca has their measure.As well as seven seats it has a 3.0-litre flat-six engine shared with the Liberty and Outback 3.0R models and,like all Australian-market Subarus, all-wheel drive.The range opens with the five-seat Tribeca 3.0R at $53,990. Among its standard features are touch-screen satellite navigation, reversing camera, dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, a six-stack CD with iPod input and power adjustable front seats.For $58,900 the Tribeca 3.0R Premium adds leather trim, a sunroof, a back seat DVD player with wireless headsets, memory settings for the driver's seat and electric heating for both front seats.Seven-seat versions of standard and premium models are another $2000, and add extra air-con vents and controls for back seat passengers.It sounds like a lot of car, and it is. At 1930kg the Tribeca is nearly 400kg heavier than a six-cylinder Outback, but uses the same engine. Subaru owners trading up from the effortless performance of the 3.0R engine in their Libertys and Outbacks will be disappointed.The Tribeca does not care for hills and even with only two unimpressed journalists on board its five-speed automatic became twitchy at the slightest sign of an incline, with frequent kickdowns and noisy revving. Freeway cruising is commendably quiet — so long as the road is level — but the official fuel consumption figure of 12.4 litres per 100km tells the story of the engine's losing battle with weight.The payoff is in an area arguably more important to family car buyers. The Tribeca is officially very safe with a five star crash test rating. An impressive detail from its frontal crash test is how the D-pillar right at the back of the car deforms slightly as the body absorbs and dissipates energy that would otherwise crush the occupants.Six airbags, ABS brakes and electronic stability control are standard. Even without these there's a margin of safety in handling that feels more like a Subaru passenger car than a high-riding off-roader. Ride is also notably comfortable, with no four-wheel drive style pitching. The Tribeca's poise is a credit to Subaru Australia, which calibrated the suspension after local testing.The interior is a typical modern Subaru presentation of luxury with a touch of eccentricity, such as the distinctive climate control switches. Quality on the American-built Tribeca — it comes from Lafayette, Indiana — appears equal to the high standard of Subaru's Japanese models.While front and seat room is good and second-row accommodation fair, the third row is strictly for children — and they'd better not have too much luggage or sports gear, because like most seven-seaters there's not much boot space when all seats are up.As with the district, accommodation in Tribeca can be a bit crowded. But people still want to go there. Subaru anticipates selling 150 Tribecas a month — or 1800 a year — after supply constraints ease next February.