The 2010 Subaru Tribeca Affordable Midsize SUVs. While auto reviewers praise the Subaru Tribeca's powerful engine, responsive ride and well-equipped cabin, some wonder if it offers enough to distinguish itself from the competition. The Subaru Tribeca’s strengths are its seven-passenger seating (newly standard for 2010) and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. With a base price around $31,000, the Tribeca is one of the pricier vehicles in its class. In a big, big field."
It costs a whopping $10,000 less than the 2010 Subaru Tribeca (even with the extra-cost third-row seat) and boasts considerably higher 19/25 mpg fuel economy. Another option is the seven-seat Suzuki XL7, which costs about $6,000 less than the Tribeca and achieves 17/24 mpg fuel economy.
The 2010 Subaru Tribeca takes its name from the artsy New York City neighborhood, and indeed, this Subaru has a little avant-garde in its genes. Moreover, the Subaru Tribeca ride is smooth and quiet -- unusually so for a Subaru.
A midsize crossover SUV, the 2010 Subaru Tribeca comes in Premium, Limited and Touring trim levels, each with standard seven-passenger seating. The Premium comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, tri-zone automatic climate control, a tilt (but not telescoping) steering wheel, heated power front seats, full power accessories, cruise control, a six-speaker CD/MP3 sound system with an auxiliary input jack, a 7-inch display screen and keyless entry.
Optional on both Limited (Moonroof package required) and Touring is a Navigation package that includes a navigation system, a back-up camera (with the camera display migrating to the navigation screen) and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
The "2010 Subaru Tribeca's" 3.6-liter, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine produces 256 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. All Tribecas use an all-wheel-drive system that sends 55 percent of the power to the rear wheels in normal driving.
Fuel economy is unimpressive, however, at 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined.
Every 2010 Subaru Tribeca comes with antilock brakes (with brake assist), traction control and stability control with a rollover sensor. Front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints round out the safety features.
In government crash tests, the Tribeca scored a perfect five stars for both front and side impact protection.
The Subaru Tribeca interior is its most distinctive feature. The Tribeca's front seats offer fine comfort, but the rear compartment isn't so pleasant. Maximum cargo capacity is just 74 cubic feet.
Subarus tend to be entertainingly quirky vehicles to drive, but the 2010 Subaru Tribeca bucks this trend