Subaru is a company that has long lost its independence but has not lost its pride and its own stance. It is precisely for this that fans value it. Therefore, when the question arose of creating a large crossover, the Subaru B9 Tribeca, they deliberately refused to mass-borrow developments from their new partner, Toyota, and bet on an original car unlike any other. The main family traits of the model are symmetrical all-wheel drive and a boxer engine.
The Subaru B9 Tribeca is by no means a "hot" new arrival. About a year ago, "gray" dealers began importing these cars from America, and by some estimates, more than three hundred such crossovers were sold in Moscow alone. Even official dealers, neglecting corporate ethics and the lack of Russian certification for the Tribeca model, conspired with "unofficials" and displayed cars brought by them in their showrooms. The machine is interesting!
And only now, a year after the premiere in the USA, the flagship of the Subaru model range is becoming legal in Europe and, accordingly, in Russia. How do the cars intended for the American and European markets differ? Which of them are better?
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| On European versions, the rear suspension received stiffer springs, as well as different shock absorber and silent block settings | When the ignition is turned on, the luminescent instruments effectively "run" the needles to the right stop, then return them to their place — as befits Subaru models |
Apparently, those who did not rush and waited for the "Europeans" were the winners. To meet European standards, the characteristics of the rear suspension were changed, and for towing a trailer, the cooling of the automatic transmission (no other than a five-speed "automatic" is provided here) and the rear differential was improved. However, the most noticeable changes affected visibility: a rear-view camera appeared in the options list, and the small "passenger car" mirrors were replaced with massive "off-road" ones with electric folding drive.
Speaking of appearance, the "official" cars differ only in mirrors and optics. But the "American" version can still be somehow confused with the "European" one, but you will never confuse the Tribeca with any other car — recognition is one hundred percent! Another matter is whether it is beautiful, but you definitely cannot call it ugly. True, the chief designer Andreas Zapatinas, under whose leadership the Tribeca's appearance was created, has already left the company...
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| The panels of the dual-zone climate control are turned towards each of those sitting in front | The parking brake is activated and released by a pedal |
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| The rear-view camera is installed slightly to the right of the vehicle's longitudinal axis... | ...however, there are special "correcting" marks on the screen |
As for the technical content, the donor for the Tribeca was the all-wheel-drive station wagon Legacy Outback. The six-cylinder boxer engine with 245 hp moved here without any changes, but the five-speed automatic transmission uses a different set of gear ratios. Neither a manual transmission nor a diesel should be expected in the foreseeable future. Permanent all-wheel drive distributes torque through an electronically controlled clutch, and under normal conditions, 55% of the torque is sent to the rear axle.
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| Ergonomics are not sacrificed for the futuristic interior. The impression is spoiled only by the ubiquitous hard plastic and the need to reach for the interactive screen (touch-screen) |
At the same time, the wheelbase of the B9 Tribeca is longer, and to increase comfort, the rear suspension was redesigned — instead of a three-link, a two-link was installed. So there is no talk of a common platform with the Outback. By the way, the number 9 in the model index indicates the in-plant platform number, and the letter B comes from the word "boxer" — this is how boxer engines are called in automotive slang.
The biggest discovery is the excellent interior. The central console protrudes into the cabin in a smooth arc, creating a personal cockpit for each of the front passengers. Every button press gives a feeling of quality assembly, and the rocking "rings" of the dual-zone climate control are especially convenient. Since the car was originally made for the USA, special attention was paid to cup holders: cozy "nests" are located between the seats, illuminated with soft blue light, and closed with a lid with a microlift... Made with love.
The upper display, which, among other information, shows the image from the rear-view camera and navigation prompts, is located a bit far from the driver. It is perfectly visible — to both the driver and passengers — but here's the problem: this screen is touch-sensitive, touch-screen, and many operations can only be performed by reaching it with your hand.
Before the driver's eyes are clear and precise luminescent instruments, covered with conical glasses — almost like on the first batches of VAZ "fives"! The coolant temperature and fuel level indicators are made in the form of electronic "cubes." By the way, it is worth glancing at the fuel gauge more often: the tank holds only 64 liters. The scale backlight is bluish, the buttons on the console glow red, and all together — like a Christmas garland.
The steering column is adjustable only by tilt angle, and a tall driver will likely want to move the steering wheel closer. The seats are comfortable, but lateral support is completely absent. The parking brake is engaged by a pedal and released by pressing it again. America...
The boxer engine loves high revs, but for a nearly two-ton car, its power is clearly insufficient: during any acceleration, the transmission has to downshift one or two gears, which enhances the feeling of "underpoweredness." At least the "automatic" itself works smoothly.
 | The boxer engine and rational chassis design allowed lowering the car's center of gravity to 640 mm — for example, the previous-generation BMW X5 has it 39 mm higher. At the same time, ground clearance is 213 mm versus 180 mm for the German crossover |
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| The torsional rigidity of the body is 22% higher than that of the Legacy, and bending rigidity is more than half (55%) higher |
However, this is only a first acquaintance, and we will draw final conclusions after a comparative test with competitors.
Deliveries of Subaru B9 Tribeca crossovers in their "official" version will begin in late October — early November. Orders are already being accepted, there is no queue yet. In Russia, only five-seat cars will be sold, while in Europe a seven-seat version will also be offered. The car in the base Limited trim costs $59840. The equipment list in it is so rich that the only additions possible are a rear-view camera and a DVD player with a screen for rear passengers and wireless headphones. For this, you will have to pay another $3340.
| Subaru B9 Tribeca (manufacturer data) | |
| Body type | 5-door wagon |
| Number of seats | 5 |
| Dimensions, mm | |
| length | 4820 |
| width | 1880 |
| height | 1685 |
| wheelbase | 2750 |
| track front/rear | 1580/1580 |
| Trunk volume, l | 1063 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1910 |
| Engine | petrol, with fuel injection |
| Location | front, longitudinal |
| Number and arrangement of cylinders | 6, opposed |
| Displacement, cm³ | 2999 |
| Cylinder bore/piston stroke, mm | 89.2/80.0 |
| Compression ratio | 10.75:1 |
| Number of valves | 24 |
| Maximum power, hp/kW/rpm | 245/180/6600 |
| Maximum torque, Nm/rpm | 297/4200 |
| Gearbox | automatic, 5-speed |
| Gear ratios | |
| I | 3.84 |
| II | 2.35 |
| III | 1.53 |
| IV | 1 |
| V | 0.84 |
| reverse | 2.76 |
| final drive | 3.58 |
| Drive | permanent all-wheel drive |
| Front suspension | independent, coil spring, McPherson |
| Rear suspension | independent, coil spring, double wishbone |
| Front brakes | disc, ventilated |
| Disc diameter, mm | 316 |
| Rear brakes | disc, ventilated |
| Disc diameter, mm | 320 |
| Tires | 255/55 R18 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 195 |
| Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, s | 9.7 |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | |
| urban cycle | 17.1 |
| extra-urban cycle | 9.5 |
| combined cycle | 12.3 |
| Fuel tank capacity, l | 64 |
| Fuel | petrol AI-95 |
The name Tribeca comes from a New York district that became famous for its film festival. The main sales market is the United States...