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Midsize SUVs
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- Great crash scores
- Standard all-wheel drive
- Comfortable ride
- Cramped third row
- Less cargo space than rivals
- Guzzles more gas than expected
- Steering wheel doesn't telescope
- Visibility issues
- Price
The Subaru Tribeca gets nearly perfect crash ratings, the best of any non-luxury midsize SUV. But a near-luxury starting price, minuscule third row and disappointing fuel economy make this seven-passenger SUV a distant runner-up to the top-ranked 2011 Honda Pilot (Base MSRP: $28,045 to $40,395) in reviews.
"The 2010 Subaru Tribeca is generally outclassed by other midsize crossovers," Edmunds.com concludes, and ConsumerGuide.com agrees. Car and Driver says the Honda Pilot is "much more dynamic and efficient," and its cheapest all-wheel-drive version starts at about $1,000 less than the Tribeca.
Although the Tribeca technically seats seven, testers agree that the third row is only for very small children -- and even then only if the second-row passengers don't slide their seats all the way back. "The third-row seat is little more than a token gesture for marketing purposes, as there's no way an adult or even a growing child could fit back there comfortably," Edmunds.com says.
Cargo space behind the third row is tiny, at just over 8 cubic feet -- enough for "only a few grocery bags," ConsumerGuide.com says. Fold all of the rear seats, and you'll get just over 74 cubic feet of cargo room. That's less than the 90 or more cubic feet some other midsize SUVs boast.
While it's smaller than the Honda Pilot, the Tribeca's fuel economy is no better, at an estimated 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway/18 mpg combined. The Tribeca manages only 14 to 16 mpg combined in two expert tests. Testers report adequate power from the 256-horsepower flat-six engine and five-speed automatic transmission, but some find the Tribeca's handling soft and boring, not energetic like most Subarus. The Tribeca tows a maximum of 3,500 pounds.
Safety is impeccable: The Tribeca earns the highest possible ratings in all government and independent front, side, rear and roof strength tests, with 4 stars (out of 5) in government rollover resistance tests. Standard safety features include antilock brakes, traction and stability control, active front head restraints and front, front-side and curtain airbags.
Trim levels start with the Subaru Tribeca Premium (Base MSRP: $30,495), which includes upscale features like three-zone automatic climate control and heated seats. The Limited trim (Base MSRP: $32,495) adds leather upholstery for the first two rows with vinyl for the third row, an upgraded stereo, satellite radio and Bluetooth, with the option to buy a backseat DVD system. The Touring trim (Base MSRP: $35,795) tops out with a sunroof, backup camera and more.
Reliability is average, according to one major survey. The Subaru Tribeca carries a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Research sources
ConsumerReports.org conducts the best comparison testing of the Subaru Tribeca, showing in a handy chart how it stacks up against other SUVs. Edmunds.com, Car and Driver and ConsumerGuide.com also expertly test the 2010 Tribeca. SaferCar.gov and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety both publish crash data, and FuelEconomy.gov posts official fuel-economy estimates for the Tribeca.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org tests the Subaru Tribeca and ranks it against most other SUVs on the market, based on performance, comfort, fuel economy, reliability and safety.
Review: Subaru Tribeca, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
2. Edmunds.com
Aside from its standard all-wheel drive and great crash scores, Edmunds.com says the Subaru Tribeca is "generally outclassed by other midsize crossovers." Its third-row and cargo room are subpar for the class, and it's expensive.
Review: 2010 Subaru Tribeca Review, Editors of Edmunds.com
3. Car and DriverDetails/Subscribe
Car and Driver conducts a short test of the 2010 Subaru Tribeca, linking to longer road tests of similar, earlier model years. Tester Jon Yanca says the Tribeca's newly standard third row "is only suitable for small children," and it costs more than the roomier, AWD Honda Pilot.
Review: 2010 Subaru Tribeca -- Quick Spin, Jon Yanca, November 2009
After rating the Subaru Tribeca in 11 categories (such as acceleration, fuel economy and comfort), ConsumerGuide.com concludes that it is "pleasant" but not as roomy, quiet or refined as other similarly priced SUVs.
Review: 2010 Subaru Tribeca: Road Test, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
5. SaferCar.gov
The Subaru Tribeca ties with several other midsize SUVs for the highest government crash scores: 5 stars for front and side crash protection, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
Review: 5-Star Safety Ratings, Editors of SaferCar.gov
6. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
With the highest possible ratings in all crash tests here -- front, side, rear and rollover roof strength -- the Subaru Tribeca wins a Top Safety Pick award.
Review: Midsize SUVs, Editors of IIHS.org
This government chart ranks 2010 SUVs according to fuel economy. The Subaru Tribeca posts an estimated 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway/18 mpg combined.
Review: 2010 Sport Utility Vehicles, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov
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