The Subaru Tribeca: A Look Back at the Automaker’s Failed Midsize SUV
Despite a few problems, Subaru is one of the most trusted automakers. However, not every SUV Subaru has produced has turned out to be a success. Unfortunately, the Subaru Tribeca SUV is all but forgotten by the mainstream car buying public as it’s been absent from the market for quite some time. Here’s a look at the Tribeca, the failed midsize SUV that could have easily been better.
The Subaru Tribeca delivers pretty decent performance
The Tribeca arrived in 2005 for the 2006 model year. According to Edmunds, the 2006 Subaru Tribeca has a standard 3.0-liter flat-6 engine with a maximum output of 250 hp and a torque of 219 lb-ft. It’s all-wheel drive and uses a 5-speed automatic transmission. The 2006 Subaru Tribeca even competes with some newer midsize SUVs regarding power.
By the end of the Tribeca’s run in 2014, the vehicle had a slightly more powerful 3.6-liter flat-6. The 2014 Subaru Tribeca has a maximum output of 256 horsepower. Regarding speed, the 2014 Subaru Tribeca accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.7 seconds.
Why it failed
Many people wonder why the Subaru Tribeca failed to make an impact. Overall, the vehicle was less than stellar for a few avoidable reasons. One of the main problems is that the midsize Subaru lacks decent fuel economy. In this regard, other automakers such as Honda and Toyota ran laps about the Tribeca. The vehicle averaged a combined 18 miles per gallon.
Additionally, the SUV has a horrible towing capacity. The midsize SUV can only tow up to 2,000, which is more similar to the capabilities of a smaller SUV. This is extremely limiting to many people and caused them to look elsewhere for an SUV when the Tribeca was on the market. It’s still a hindrance now that it’s on the used SUV market.
The other main problem with the Subaru Tribeca is its lack of interior space. This is especially true when it comes to the cargo area. The vehicle only has 8.3 cubic feet behind the third row for cargo space. It has 74.4 cubic feet behind the first row.
Why was this Subaru SUV model discontinued?
Subaru discontinued the Tribeca for the same reason most automakers kill vehicles. No one bought it. Sure, sales were fairly decent for part of the SUV’s run. However, things had taken a nosedive towards the end. As a result, dealerships were alerted in 2014 that the Tribeca would be no more.
You can still get a Tribeca on the used SUV market. However, they are rare to see on the road because they’re not great. In many ways, the Subaru Ascent SUV was created to address the issues of the Tribeca. However, it’s also not one of the best Subaru SUV models.
