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2011 Subaru Tribeca Philadelphia

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  The 2011 Subaru Tribeca has all the right feel of control and dexterity, plus impressive hauling capacity for people and things. The 3.6-liter H6 engine delivers competitive performance when compared with other SUVs. Careful suspension tuning and a relatively low center of gravity results in responsive handling that makes driving the Tribeca enjoyable. The engine and ride quality are smooth and comfortable. Subaru's all-wheel drive technology is thoroughly proven. A new Touring model delivers more luxury and is distinguished by its body-colored trim. All-wheel drive comes standard, and Subaru is a leader in this technology. Subaru's all-wheel-drive system makes the Tribeca an excellent choice when the weather turns foul or conditions become slippery, whether it's snow or ice, or a muddy, unpaved road, or a rainy, on-ramp. Under normal conditions, it sends 55 percent of the power to the rear, to provide a handling optimized rear-drive bias. The system also serves as an active safety feature, even on dry pavement, helping to reduce skidding in corners and aiding the driver in controlling the vehicle. Subaru's all-wheel drive is your friend.

New Subaru Tribeca Design

The recent addition Touring model gets impressive looks for 2011. The monochrome scheme pulls the design together without making the Tribeca visually taller; it also shows off some interesting detail work, particularly at the front, that was previously lost in all that darkness. The bright grille, door handles, and roofrails provide just enough flash and contrast to ensure that the Touring looks like a real machine. Otherwise, the look of the Subaru Tribeca hasn't changed significantly in the two years since it was re-styled for 2008. The near-rectangular grille is swept back and a little wider at the top, like that of so many other SUVs and crossovers. It flows into a gentle bulge at the center of the hood, while the lights to either side curve back and around into the fenders. Along the sides, the body panels are mostly vertical, though not slab-like; their expanse is broken by mild fender blisters circling properly proportioned tires and wheels. Beginning at the trailing edge of the front door and even with the door handles, a soft crease grows as it moves rearward, giving the rear portions substance before ending in the wraparound taillights. An understated character line etched into the doors and running between the wheel arches draws attention to the matte-black rocker panels on Premium and Limited and subtly reminds us of the Tribeca's 8.4-inch ground clearance. The steeply raked windshield and A-pillars pull the eye up and over the tall glasshouse to a spoiler laid atop an acutely angled back window. The standard alloy wheels, with their five split spokes, look handsomely sturdy.

Driving the 2011 Subaru Tribeca

The 2011 Tribeca uses a 3.6 liter flat-six engine, good for 256 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 247 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm. EPA estimated fuel economy is 16 mpg in the city, and 21 mpg on the highway. All wheel drive is standard, and features the Japanese company?s Variable Torque Distribution system to proportion power between axles as necessary. Subaru's 3.6-liter six-cylinder delivers competitive performance in a class filled with excellent V6s. The transmission is smooth and responsive. Shifts up and down are managed almost seamlessly. Even when shifted manually using the SportShift there is only the slightest interruption in the energy flow. When using the SportShift, the Tribeca will shift up a gear automatically at engine redline; it will not, however, drop down a gear without the driver tapping the lever forward. 

'11 Subaru Tribeca Cabin

The base Tribeca is full of the goodies buyers have come to expect, with an AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA sound system, power group, 8-way power driver seat and 4-way power front-passenger seat, four-wheel discs with ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution, traction and stability control and a rollover sensor. Save for the dealer-installed options, there are no options here. The Limited adds a moonroof to the list of features, roof rails, heated front seats, leather upholstery and a better sound system with a six-disc CD player. It offers a navigation package that includes the obvious, a rear-view camera and XM satellite radio as the sole option, while the 7-seater adds a rear-seat entertainment system to that combo.

New Tribeca Lineup

 Tribeca Premium comes with cloth upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat, and a four-way power passenger's seat, both with manual lumbar adjustment and heat. The second row of seats is almost as flexible as the two front seats, with a 40/20/40-split reclining seatback and a 60/40-split seat bottom adjustable fore and aft. The now-standard third row splits 50/50, and has its own auxiliary air conditioner, with outlets in the headliner and a separate fan speed control. A tip-and-slide feature for the second row makes the third row easier to enter from either side. Also standard are a 100-watt, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with six speakers and an auxiliary input jack; cruise control; an interior air filter; fog lights; remote keyless entry; power windows; power heated outside mirrors; and power door locks. The steering wheel, which tilts and has radio controls, and shift knob are covered in leather. And there's an information center displaying audio settings, time, fuel economy and outside temperature. The standard tires are P255/55HR18 Goodyear Eagle LS2 all-seasons on five-spoke alloy wheels.

Tribeca Limited adds leather seating for the first two rows, two-position memory for the driver's seat, HomeLink universal remote, and ambient interior illumination.

Tribeca Touring adds moonroof, HID headlights, rear-vision camera with its monitor imbedded in the rearview mirror. Outside, Touring sports a monochrome paint scheme highlighted by silver-painted roof rails, a silver-painted front underguard, and seven-spoke alloy wheels.

Conclusions

Safety features on all 2011 models include Subaru's Vehicle Dynamics Control, Variable Torque Distribution all-wheel drive and all-wheel traction control to help the driver maintain control. Brakes are vented discs with antilock (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist. Front seat occupants are protected by dual-stage front airbags, seat-mounted side impact airbags and active head restraints, which automatically push forward and up in rear-impact collisions. Curtain airbags insulate the front and second row seats in side impacts. All seating positions get adjustable head restraints, and outboard seats have height-adjustable anchors for seatbelt shoulder straps. Child safety seat anchors (LATCH) are provided for the rear seats. A tire-pressure monitoring system is standard. For updates and more information on this model, visit the official 2011 Subaru Tribeca site.