Like Subaru? You’ll love Tribeca

Subaru’s B9 Tribeca crossover SUV is such an obvious Next Move one wonders why it took so long to get here.

The Tribeca may look like no Subaru you’ve ever seen, but everything underneath that sleek design is pure Subie. The platform is an extended and reinforced version of the Legacy Outback’s; the 3.0-liter, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine is straight off the parts shelf; and the all-wheel drive system is the same with which Subaru has already made much hay.

The real news here is that the Tribeca gives Subaru a viable player in the midsize SUV category. With optional seven-passenger, three-row seating, it competes against such stalwarts as the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. It’s a little smaller than those rigs, but gives up nothing in terms of design, creature comfort or standard features.

Well, we should amend that last assertion – fact is, the optional third row is, as expected, suited only for the youngest twigs on the family tree, and getting back there isn’t as easy as it might be, requiring a climb over the corner of the folded second-row seat. Unfortunately, with the third row in use, second-row occupants also suffer a legroom surfeit.

On the other hand, the second row slides fore and aft by a full 8 inches and under normal conditions four adults will be well accommodated.

At its introduction early last year, the Tribeca was the first model to incorporate Subaru’s distinctive, new airplane-style front-end. Two wing-shaped grills flank a center grill borrowed from Alfa Romeo’s design portfolio.

A strong, crisp shoulder line flows rearward to a sporty tail dominated by flared wheel wells.

The Tribeca breaks other new ground for Subaru – it’s the first Subie to offer navigation and entertainment systems, and its flowing, two-compartment interior design is a departure from staid Subaru tradition.

The dash is set low in the cockpit, to enhance the feeling of openness, and several contiguous lengths of brushed aluminum sweep across the dash, into the door panels and down the center console.

Viewed from above, it has a vaguely wing-shaped aspect, echoing the theme established up front. Though dramatic, the layout works; all the gauges and switchgear are well-placed and easy to use. The touch-screen navigation is the lone exception: it’s too far from the driver and reflects in the windshield at night. The quality of materials appears quite good and there are no unpleasant shiny, hard-plastic surfaces betraying a short cut here or there.

The entire arrangement is attractive and comfortable, although long-legged drivers may find their right knees resting uncomfortably against the console’s inner panel.

Available in five- or seven-passenger seating, and in base (from $31,320, including destination), or Limited ($32,920) trim, the Tribeca packs a healthy standard-features list, including power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, power moonroof, 100-watt AM/FM/CD audio and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Strangely, heated seats are available on the base trim only if the third row of seats is ordered. If you want navigation or the entertainment system, or both, you must step up to the Limited.

Traction and stability control are standard on all models, as are front- and side-impact and curtain-style airbags. The standard anti-lock brake system includes electronic brake-force distribution.

Subaru says modifications to the Outback platform produce increases of 22 and 55 percent in torsional and bending rigidity, respectively. A more sophisticated double-wishbone rear suspension replaces the Outback’s multi-link setup.

The Tribeca’s 18-inch wheels and tires are an inch larger than the Outback’s, and ground clearance is identical to the Outback’s 8.4 inches.

At 250 horsepower and 219 foot-pounds of torque, the 3.0-liter opposing-head six makes adequate power and has a tow rating of 3,500 pounds. However, the Tribeca weighs in at 4,155 pounds and a few more ponies would be helpful. Passing takes some planning and a full load of people and gear would likely tax the engine’s capabilities.

Some of the competing crossovers are more capable off-road than others, but none is a true off-roader and neither is the Tribeca. Like the Outback, though, I expect it would hold its own in moderate conditions.

The full-time AWD system, called Variable Torque Distribution, sends 55 percent of the power to the rear wheels but adjusts on the fly to changing road conditions, without driver intervention.

Great off-roading usually comes at the expense of on-road comfort and capability and the bias here is clearly toward the civilized side of the equation. Ride and handling are decidedly car-like, though not especially compelling.

And now a word about that name: Tribeca is a hip, New York City neighborhood, while the “B” refers to the engine, which is of the so-called “boxer” type and the numeral nine is a factory chassis designation.

Few copies of the Tribeca will sell in its namesake neighborhood, but the Tribeca will help Subaru hold the line against brand loyalists who might head elsewhere to satisfy their SUV needs.

Those who love the brand will love this rig.