Subaru continues go anywhere trend

Arts/Life

Posted By WADE OZEROFF

Posted 1 month ago

Subaru's Tribeca, the largest of the company's comprehensive fleet of light-duty family-oriented utility vehicles, aims squarely at the "upper" end of midrange SUV vehicles.

It hits all the bases, holding up to seven passengers, utilizes a competent five-speed automatic transmission, provides reasonable cargo capacity (and a big hatch with easy access) and puts the whole package on top of Subaru's well-regarded all-wheel drive system.

It does everything well, with few exceptions (I'm not a big fan of the "feel" when applying the brakes, for example; kind of a soft, squashy pedal-feel), but there's more to like than dislike.

The Tribeca delivers very good accelerator response, readily popping in the power when goosed; which lends itself to a more confident driving style--it can merge quickly into moving traffic from a full stop, and I like that

There's more than enough engine under the hood to give the Tribeca a performance feel, with a 3.6 litre horizontal six-cylinder outputting a potential 247 lb.-ft. of torque to the symmetrical AWD

It feels good when cornering, for its size, and the suspension straddles the line between sport and comfort that most contenders in the segment do.

Now, despite my crack about the brakes earlier, the four-wheel disc ABS has performed admirably for me a couple of times now; and on wet pavement at that.

As far as the aesthetics of the vehicle go, my friends, I may be developing a sort of Midrange SUV Blindness Syndrome (because I've driven so many of them of late) so check the photos and tell me: it doesn't look bad at all, does it?

Steeply angled windshield, roof rack, and styled wheels are fairly typical for the segment, and the 2010 version of the vehicle pulls it off well.

The interior of my tester is done up in solid-color, black motif, accented with fauxluminum trim on the cascading center stack. The lower console has a sort of submariner theme, with the treatment of the climate control knobs.

All controls are within easy reach from the driver and the seat feels good, with a good range of adjustment. My only complaint with the cabin is that steering wheel while tiltable, does not telescope, making it hard to assume a comfortable arm's-length distance from the wheel.

The selling feature of a family conveyance such as this is its versatility, and while I haven't need for a third row of seats, the rear cargo area is wide and tall and the second row of seats (unlike a number of competitors) folds flat for loading. The rear tailgate is a fairly easy liftover as well.

Ultimately, the Tribeca is yet another decent, upper-midrange SUV that packs a fair bit of style, simplicity and performance into a package that touches the edge of 'expensive'.

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Fact file2010 Subaru Tribeca

Trim level:Limited

Price as tested (before taxes): $46,495

Options on test vehicle:none Freight:$1,525

MSRP range:$40,995-$49,195 Configuration:front engine/ all-wheel drive

Engine/transmission:3.6L H6/ 5-spd auto with sequential shift Power/torque:256 hp/ 247 lb.-ft. Fuel (capacity):regular (64L) Fuel economy ratings:13.1 L/100km city; 9.4 L/100km hwy Observed fuel economy:14.7 L/100km (combined)

Warranties:3 years/60,000 km (basic): 5 years/ 100,000 km (powertrain)

Competitors:Chevy Traverse; Honda Pilot; Toyota Highlander Sport

Report Card (out of 5):

Fuel Economy:3-average for its class and size

Value for $:2.5-Limited trim is a bit steep against several competitors

Styling:3-as unremarkable as any other midrange ute

Comfort:3.5-good seats and headroom in first two rows, compromise rear comfort

Performance:4-zippy acceleration, good road-holding ability thanks to AWD

Overall:3 -hits all the bases, with most of the same detractions as competitors

Strengths:good accelerator response; nice interior; reputable AWD system

Weaknesses:steering doesn't telescope; poor head/legroom in third row; pricey