Kids can be so cruel.
In our urban elementary school, too many years ago for me to admit, one enduring insult was to run around some hapless little soul hollering: “Pig Nose! Pig Nose!”
So with some reluctance, I note the controversial snoot of the Subaru B9 Tribeca. There’s no gentle way to say this: Tribeca has a pig nose. advertisement
Not an ugly pig nose, mind you. Just a cute, little pug in the middle of its face. This is the signature grille adopted by Subaru for its latest vehicles. For some people, it’s too weird, while others see a classic European shield style.
Saddled with an unwieldy name as well as a pig nose, B9 Tribeca is Subaru’s first entry into the sport-utility arena, an area the automaker has resisted even though all its cars have all-wheel drive. Subaru was arguably the inventor of the SUV crossover, with Forester and Outback station wagons, and Tribeca follows suit as an SUV built on a car chassis.
Tribeca is the biggest Subie ever, and the first to offer seven-passenger seating, although those inhabiting the rear-most seat had better be really small folk.
The Japanese automaker also is trying to move upscale, and Tribeca’s lavish interior, high level of luxury features and substantial base price of $31,000 show that upward movement. The Limited version tested here included enough optional features, including DVD video and navigation systems, to push the price tag close to $40,000.
Tribeca has plenty of appeal, with superior drivability and Subaru’s reputation for durability, and despite the pig nose, it’s a fine new entry in the strongest part of the SUV market.
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The lowdown
PERFORMANCE: The horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, in which three cylinders lie horizontally on either side of the crankshaft, puts out plenty of power for its 3-liter displacement. Tribeca is a heavy craft but accelerates nicely behind 250 horsepower.
All Subarus use either four- or six-cylinder “boxer” engines, so called because the pistons seem like fighters’ fists duking it out. Like all these engines, Tribeca’s mill performs smoothly, although it sets up an agricultural roar when you hit the throttle.
DRIVABILITY: Tribeca handles nicely, especially for this class of vehicle, with part of the credit going to the low center of gravity of the boxer engine.
The SUV also has a full load of electronic drivability enhancements, including “symmetrical” all-wheel drive, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock and brake-force distribution and vehicle dynamics control.
STYLING: Other than the pig nose, Tribeca has a nicely sculpted shape and a sporty look, somewhat akin to Volkswagen Touareg.
INTERIOR: The dashboard is an interesting wrap-around design that looks both space age and luxurious. Truck guys may find the high style too frou-frou, although it should have plenty of appeal for women.
The controls are nicely designed and come easily to hand, and the materials all feel high quality. Tribeca comes standard with a full collection of luxury and convenience features.
Front-seat space is good, and the middle row moves fore and aft for legroom. But for the small third seat to be usable requires the middle seat to be far forward.
BOTTOM LINE: Another nicely turned-out vehicle for Subaru, which has gained many fans during the past decade with its solid all-wheel-drive passenger vehicles as well as its high-performance Impreza WRX sport compact.
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RELATED
Vehicle type: Seven-passenger, four-door sport-utility crossover, all-wheel drive.
Engine: 3-liter horizontally opposed six, 250 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 219 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm.
Transmission: 5-speed automatic.
Wheelbase: 108.2 inches.
Overall length: 189.8 inches.
Curb weight: 4,225 pounds.
EPA rating: 18 city, 23 highway.
Highs: Good drivability, lush interior, engine power.
Lows: Engine roar, teeny third seat, pig nose.
PRICING
Base price: $33,895.
Price as tested: $39,003.
OPTIONS
* DVD rear-video entertainment system, navigation system, audio upgrades, $3,800.
* Auto-dimming mirror, compass, security sensor, $293.
* Puddle lights, $229.
* Cargo net, rear compartment cover, cargo tray, $161.
* Shipping, $625.
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For more about the Subaru B9 Tribeca, go to autos.azcentral.com.
