Subaru Gives Tribeca A Nose Job

In the past, the Subaru Tribeca has been avoided by many auto buyers for different reasons. One of these reasons is that it is highly priced. Another reason is that even with its expensive price tag, the Tribeca packs little power compared to similarly priced vehicles. And the most notable reason is probably the distinctive nose of the luxury midsize crossover SUV which is considered as ‘ugly’ by some auto critics and buyers alike.

The Japanese automaker has heard the complaints against the Tribeca and has set out to make it more appealing to auto buyers.  That is why the Tribeca for the 2008 model year has been given a nose job by Subaru.  Formerly known as the Subaru B9 Tribeca, it has dropped half of its name to be simply called as the Subaru Tribeca.

Aside from giving it a nose job, the new Tribeca was also refined in its performance and interior accommodation.  A refined engine will come with the 2008 Tribeca to make it more powerful compared to its forerunner.  Better materials are also used inside the luxury crossover SUV.

The Tribeca is available as either a five- or a seven-seater crossover. Since it is marketed by the Japanese automaker as a luxury vehicle, it could cost almost $40,000. That price tag moves the nameplate against established luxury brands such as Lexus, BMW, Cadillac or Audi.  With a less powerful engine and that price tag, the past version of the Tribeca surely had a tough fight in its hand.  But with the revisions for the 2008 model year, the Tribeca can stand its own in the competitive segment.

The distinct front end of the Tribeca has been replaced with a more conventional one in an effort to make it look better to consumers. The result gives the Tribeca a better-looking front end. Although that alone could not revive interest in the nameplate, the redesign would make consumers consider the Tribeca for their next purchase.

Another revision made to the new Tribeca is done under its hood.  The past model of the midsize luxury crossover SUV was equipped with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with an output of 245 horsepower.  For the 208 model year, the Tribeca will be equipped with a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine which can produce as much as 256 horsepower and 247 pound feet of torque. In comparison, the engine used by the old Tribeca only produced 215 lb-ft of torque.

As a Subaru, it is expected that the Tribeca should have an all-wheel drive system.  This drivetrain system is complemented by a refined gearbox.  According to the Japanese automaker, the transmission of the new Tribeca is the same as the one used on the 20007 B9 Tribeca. But Subaru also said that the transmission has been refined to provide smoother gear changes.

The Tribeca will be competing with many nameplates including the Ford Edge, Mazda CX-7 and CX-9, Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and the Ford Taurus X.  It can be expected that the price of the new Tribeca will remain in the same range as its predecessor’s. For that, one could own the new Tribeca and everything that comes with it including the whole lot of Subaru repair manuals and other accessories and features.