Price: From R599 000
In typical Subaru fashion, this SUV -“ named after a neighbourhood on New York’s Manhattan Island -“ is assuming yet well-engineered. Significantly, its features are all standard (with some other cars, you need to tag them on, and that adds cost). For instance, the Tribeca comes with Xenon headlamps, a sunroof and dual-zone climate control. A touch-screen instantly turns into a display for a parking camera when reverse gear is selected. Thanks to its arsenal of safety features, the Tribeca has been awarded a five-star safety rating. There’s only one snag with this SUV: its price is too high.
By Gareth Dean
The Tribeca is one of those vehicles that take a bit of thought before it starts to make sense. Many have argued that a large luxury SUV is an odd departure for a company that offers sporty saloons, but given the company’s all-wheel-drive heritage and the lack of a true flagship model, the inclusion of the Tribeca does make sense.
Styling has never been a big issue with the majority of Subarus, but the Tribeca’s looks have polarized opinion like few other vehicles. It certainly is distinctive, there is a hint of Alfa about the newcomer’s cat’s eyes brake lights and grille and those creases down the flanks add to the car’s visual appeal and should also deflect mud away from the windows! Don’t judge the Tribeca’s looks until you see the Subi in the metal, pictures do not do those distinctive lines any favours. In about 16 month’s time the Tribeca will receive a facelift – hopefully it will not “do a Multipla” and emerge as boring and non-descript.
A 3,0-litre boxer six-cylinder engine with Active Valve Control delivers an adequate 180 kW at 6 600 r/min and 297 N.m of torque at 4 200 r/min. Mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox, the unit propels the Tribeca from 0-100 km/h in a respectable 9,55 seconds and on to a 200 km/h top speed. Acceleration is brisk in the lower gears but hits a bit of a flat spot thereafter as the 1,9 ton kerb weight of the Tribeca makes itself felt. In fact, the powerplant does not behave like that of a conventional SUV – it revs easily and doesn’t seem very torquey.
The engine retains that signature Subaru boxer snarl under acceleration. The gearbox lets the side down somewhat and the manual override isn’t lightning quick or dynamic. The test unit we drove willed its drivers to drop a cog in the gearbox on some of the uphills and tended to hang onto the ratio a bit too long.
The ride is suitably smooth on tarmac and even the corrugations of our route on the old George to Knysna road did not upset the Tribeca too much. Subaru fans will be pleased to hear that the SUV’s 215-mm ground clearance and commanding stance do not prevent one from cornering with gusto, but serious off-roading is not its forté.
The company’s signature symmetrical all-wheel drive system and central mounting of the horizontally-opposed engine make the Tribeca feel poised and balanced on the road. It does exactly what a premium SUV needs to do – the 45/55 per cent front to rear torque distribution makes the Tribeca feel planted to the road while the elevated ride height offers a modicum of dirt track ability for weekends away.
As we expected, the Tribeca’s steering does not offer levels of feel and feedback comparable to that of other Subaru models, but does its job well enough. The ventilated brakes offer good stopping power in most situations and bite tenaciously when called to do so.
Subaru interiors have always placed functionality above form, but the inside of the Tribeca is a visual treat. From the sweeping Maserati 3200GT-esque Y-shaped hang-down section to the hooded dials and neat digital readouts for temperature and fuel, the cabin is a place you will have no problems spending time in. Fit and finish is generally good with the exception of a rattly panel below the steering column.
Boot space is a generous 384 dm³ with the third row of seats folded, but shrinks to 120 dm³ with the full compliment of seats in place. The third row is really only suited to accommodate kids, but thanks to its slightly lowered floor section, adults will be able to travel short distances in the back without wedging their knees in their nostrils. Space in the second row is adequate and aided by individually-folding backrests that form part of a 40/20/40 split.
Specification is comprehensive with dual-zone climate control, 6-disc CD sound system, line-in for your iPod, cruise control, electrically-adjustable heated front seats, electric windows and mirrors, central locking and an army of adaptive airbags as standard.
Subaru is pitching the R449 000 Tribeca against the R520 800 BMW X5 3,0i and the R520 000 Audi Q7 3,0 TDI, but despite its 7-seat configuration and a deceptively compact appearance, the Japanese model doesn’t have the car park presence to challenge any models larger than perhaps the BMW X3 and Volvo XC70.
Conventional it may not be, but if you’re looking for a distinctively-styled premium SUV with a smattering of rally-bred DNA, the Tribeca is definitely worth a look.
