2008 Subaru Tribeca Review
April 24, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
2008 Subaru Tribeca Premium Review & Road Test
Model tested: 2008 Subaru Tribeca 3.6R Premium – five seat – $58,990
Ride & Handling, Interior refinement, Build quality, Fuel efficiency.
Needs more power, Faces tough competition, built for the American market.
CarAdvice rating: 
-by Alborz Fallah
Subaru has now established itself as one of the most reliable and proven brands in the world. Differentiating from the rest of the Japanese makers via their All-Wheel-Drive system, the Japanese brand is now well and truly at its best.
But, and I say but with extreme emphasis, the people in charge of Subaru’s exterior designs need to be lined up against a wall and ran into by every single ugly front end the brand has ever made, and there are a few of them.
Take the bug-eye Impreza 2000-2002 for example, 6 years on and even today Subaru owners hang their heads in shame knowing the company put the world’s ugliest front end to such a marvellous car.
The engineering work that goes into every single subie is above the fold, and that is a result of years and years of refusing to give in to temptation to build front-wheel-drives.
All other mainstream Japanese manufacturers decided a long time ago that in order to make the most money, front-wheel drive was the way to go, not Subaru, it’s either done the right way, or it’s not done at all, similar to BMW, no such thing as a front-wheel-drive BMW.
However the upcoming Toyota funded ‘affordable sports car’ will be rear-wheel-drive, which should pose an interesting dilemma for Subaru.
But enough about the brand, lets get back to the car. The first Tribeca that came out was unanimously labelled as the ugliest SUV on the road (bar SsangYong’s contributions).
One has to wonder sometimes how some car designs get approved. Manufacturers spend millions on focus groups and research before a car goes into production, so how then, did Subaru think the car was going to appeal to anyone except the visually impaired?
Subaru got some Greek stylist guy with a surname beginning with ‘Z’ fron Alfa Romeo, and he must have been a con-man because all he did was flip the Alfa front end upside-down and call it a Subaru. It didn’t work. It turned the bug-eye Impreza into something even worse, and the ‘why do we need this?’ Tribeca into a re-run of the ‘flying vagina’ Edsel. Subaru sacked him, but they should have done that before they hired him.
Now we have Subarus with Chrysler front ends, and the company is controlled by Toyota. Subaru’s future looks like a dark place, but we won’t miss the ‘DOOF DOOF’ of the stereo every time an older one goes past.
I think the writer should do a bit of study.
“The Tribeca marks a big change for Subaru, for so long the brand had been limited to the Impreza (and its derivative, the Outlander), Forester and Liberty. ”
He may learn that:
Forester is a derivative of the Impreza.
The Outback & Tribeca are derivatives of a Liberty.
And that the Outlander is a Mitsubishi.
Sadly, Subaru have stopped making the Magna, and Mitsubishi are now producing a P76.
The interior looks groovy!
The centre console looks like a bit of melted cheese drooping down but otherwise it seems to be a marked improvement on the previous model.
the original looks like a nissan micra SUV – in other words ugly!
A vast styling improvement over the outgoing model. And a little exclusivity as well. Nice
GOOD QUESTION BY WRITER – “…..did Subaru think the car was going to appeal to anyone except the visually impaired?”
NM response……arent Subbie and Toyomota trying to work out what size bed to get and produce silly designs. Ah the pain of looking at it!
You’re right BHB, I did mean outback there not outlander, all fixed up, thanks for pointing it out.
There are some SSanyongs that are far prettier than the first of this, and a far better vehicle for purpose as well :)
The new design is better, but a drover’s dog could not have designed something uglier.
What is surprising, is that cars are produced by more than just the designer, there are plenty of others that have to sign off before it is built.
Then again, the industry is littered with such glaring mistakes, take the home-grown AU for another example. One really bad model finished off the Falcon, which is now in its death throes – it will breathe its last when fuel gets to $2.00.
its medicore styling…
but its “prettier” than the previous one… but thats a given.. a car smash looks prettier than the first one.
Toyota Stylers, have been given more freedom actually… so hopefully back to “inspired” designs when the next models come out… Subaru looks to benefit from it…
The old WRXs, werent lookers either… admit it… great cars.. but their performance made there fans blinded from the appearance…
This yank tank actually looks and feels decent. I came across one while looking thru the new Impreza (don worry, ended up with a Mondeo) and the interior feels top notch. I’m pretty sure this car would sell better if Subie had actually promoted it. I haven seen a single ad for this car anywhere. The CX-7 u mentioned, on the other hand is fast becoming Eddie Everywhere.
And yeah lastly, Cx-9 doesn work on me coz i felt the proportions were perfect on Cx-7. Now if only Subie sold Diesels in these.
YUCK! [sorry ricky]
Cheers
F-0
Original Tribecca = Flop
Solution?
Take one aborted Saab 9-6X (developed as another saabaru rebadge) and simply apply Subaru badges and change the grille slightly. (notice the Saab shaped headlights)
How else do you think Subaru could afford to change the look off the car so much and so quickly?
Anywho, better looking as a Subaru than a Saab.
Given to look of the current Subie Impreza.. and the couple of models before that.. The 02 Bug-Eye Impreza looks more attractiuve and alot more uniform with the rest of the car. Infact I’d say it looks more modern particularly when compared to the one with wings
I like the exterior of this model Tribeca way more than the old one. However the interior leaves a lot to be desired – I strongly dislike the slopping dash (looks like something from a French car in the 70’s), and the seats in the base model have very little support (made for fat Americans). They should refit better seats for Australia. Definitely needs a darker interior and dash redesign.
Subaru are also about 3 years behind now with their auto transmissions – all premium autos should be 6 speeds, with 5 speeds as a minimum in the base models. Sports models (wrx and STi) are desperately in need of a DSG gearbox (I personally am holding off upgrading my 99 wrx until Subaru provide one! and I cannot wait much longer). And how about the 4 speed autos in the new impreza and forester.. I mean.. seriously! Stakeholder Toyota should assist Subaru asap with their tranmissions.
Disgraceful styling, looks likes a mad dog’s breakfast, and I totally with ^ gear box selections across the range are Shite. Wake up Subaru… there are probably thousands of potential buyers waitng desperately to replace their older Subies, but, if like me, they’ll give up and select other makers. We wait silently for some smart designs.
I’d take a CX-9 any day, at least they look like they were styled this century. Sorry Suby, as good as you may be, this is average at best.
Casey if you actually took the time to drive both cars back to back, you would find the tribeca superior to drive
, it rides better , the gbox is smoother, it handles better because its constant awd not part time like the mazda, the engine sounds better (boxer layout), mazda has little bit more power but in this style of family car the tribeca has more than anough and has plent of bottem end torque, also tribecas new shape is lell likely to date as quickly as the oversyled mazda..
and a big advantage especially with fuel prices going higher and higher is the tribeca is much better on fuel than the cx9 and runs on std unleaded fuel..
OSU811, is right u know!
Another “Claytons” 4wd (the 4wd you have when not having a 4wd) that fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. This car is about as much use as a chocolate teapot.
OSU811 i’d have to disagree. Yes the tribeca rides a lot softer but at the expense of more body roll. The mazda rides a lot stiffer but it was designed that way from the ground up to embrace the so called “zoom zoom” philosophy. The subie is not quite sure about what it wants to be. Its too firm to be a true luxury vehicle, and too soft to be a sporty vehicle. I believe the mazda to be the better handling of the two, and its transmission is just as smooth if not better. The mazdas shift points are a lot better as well and it doesn’t hunt for gears as much. The mazda engine is a lot more responsive and i find is a bit more powerful. But yes it does use more fuel. honestly i think the looks are all subjective. To each his own.
i am test driving one now – and it is growing on me. FENNO – a very funny post but a tad off the mark. Value for money this is one very good sensible family soft-roader. I have been a BA falcon wagon sorta guy with three toddlers and this is a car we would look at. A stylish really safe kid carrier with lots of great features for your $. Handles so well, nimble for its size and brakes on a pin. My only grip is its too quiet and all I hear is the transmission, so it sounds like Im driving a stylish sewing machine. Looks as great as a conservative family car can – even tho I want to buy the alfa 159 estate ….mmmmmm now thats a car. pity its only got room for the shopping.
yes – drive it for the weekend before bagging it people.
Oh yes my wife rightly points out ‘looks like lexus ‘cept only a third of the price and it doesnt talk at you all the time – god I hate overly chatty GPS units dont you?’
We just purchased a 2008 Subaru Tribeca and was disapointed to find that Subaru Sat Navigation system has been substantially degraded.
The “blurb” given to new purchasers includes a booklet with the front cover labelled “Subaru” & suggesting that the vehicle contain “WheriS” navigation with “Version 13″ software.
But don’t be fooled, they have removed entirely such essential items as:- School zone warnings, Red light & Speed camera alerts etc. Worst of all the new cars have the old Version 13 software rather than Version 14 which was released in December 2007.
Subaru dealers are not interested to discus this deplorable situation.
What do you reckon can be done to overcome this problem??
James
I just purchased the Tribeca early 2007 model. The one the writer calls ‘ugly’. Well I beleive it looks great. Not only great looking, but unique as well. The shape is not like the generic SUV faces you see on the road everyday.
So many times I’ve been stopped geting out of the car and people asking for a look. They often make the comment that it looks very similar to Porsche’s Cayenne. And I’d have to agree. It also has all the luxury you could imagine on the Premium model and for a 3.0L engine, it has enough power for a family car. My Tribeca is my dream car come true.
am about to buy a tribeca, I like the car, but if any one can help with any info regarding reliability, spare parts prices, etc.
I think you are all a bit agressive on the design. The earlier model, the B9, was out there and I think very impressive. Those who seem the abuse its design should go back to the FJ and live the dream of a limpid in the ocean never changing over millions of years.
Car designs are meant to evolve, and maybe in 10 years time you will look back and say that was a great design. However probably not. Carry on bottom dwellers.
Hi,
I too have a tribeca which I do love. Servicing is very well priced.
However, we have just had a terrible situation on our driving holiday to QLD. Whilst pulling out in front of semi (putting the throtle to the floor) the engine literally had a fit. It was as if it threw itself in to neutral and was reving really high. We bascially lost all power. My husband luckily pulled into the middle of the road so the truck could pass. We then could not get the car out of low gear. We tried everything. Every warning light was on on the dash. We turned the car off and re started and it seemed a lot better (lights were still on). We took it Subaru and they checked everything and said it was the transmission cellunoid? sp? The car is still “chugging” a bit at certain speeds. Has anyone else had something similar?
Any other feedback would be appreciated!
Ugly as hell … yuck I woulnt think it would have good resale being built in the states. Subaru has lost the plot they use to make nice cars.
I have purchased the 2008 Tribeca Premium several months ago. I love the body shape, the ride, the atention to detail and the overall build and style of my Beca. The only critisicm I have is that the Navigation system doesn’t have school zone, speed/red light camera and speed zone warnings. Any run of the mill mobile GPS unit has this, why not a car that has everything else? Also the audio system lacks bluetooth connectivity for mobile phone pairing. Once again, much cheaper and inferior vehicles have this feature. Style and design are highly subjective, so not everyone will like everything. personally, this is the best car I’ve ever purchased. Oh and the wife loves it as well. There’s almost peace on earth.
Dam nice car but the 7 seat option can only really be considered for midget parents or those with legless children. Parents under 5′9″ who’s children have no feet should also look at it but for the remainder its just a joke.
Kriss Says:
November 18th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
If its one of the solenoids in the transmission then its quite a big repair job depending on the gearbox design. Either the gearbox will need to be removed and repaired or they might have access to the solenoids from the sump. Either way hope its covered under warranty or else $$$$$$!
I liked the original. It was an interesting design and creative design. But so many people ae bland and want things to look bland too.