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2008 Subaru Tribeca Quality Review

May 29, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

could use some improvement in passenger accommodations
Edmunds

optional leather seats are firm but were comfortable for the duration of the long drive
Cars.com

plenty of functional storage
Mother Proof

the roomy interior coddles its passengers
Kelley Blue Book

The 2008 Subaru Tribeca offers comfortable accommodations for most with some caveats: a cramped third row and outward visibility problems.

Little has changed inside the 2008 Subaru Tribeca, where a space-age theme throws its cozy semicircular arms and arrays of soft, blinking graphics around the driver and passenger. The Tribeca is snug, though. As a mid-size crossover, the 2008 Subaru Tribeca is not as large as other SUVs with three-row accommodations. As a result, the third row is cramped for all but small kids, and while the second row moves fore and aft 8 inches, it, too, becomes cramped when making room for the third row. Edmunds complains that the second row "although fine for kids, lacks the legroom and hip room that larger, taller adults need." The second-row seats do recline and are split 60/40. In five-passenger editions, the second-row seat slides to and fro 8 inches, giving limolike legroom. Big grab handles make third-row access, on three-row Tribecas, a lot easier for kids, too.

In front, it's a nicer affair. Kelley Blue Book applauds "the wide front seating, which also features adjustable lumbar support for both the driver and passenger." They also praise the "Excellent fit and finish," saying the "appealing materials and an uncommon dash design are the hallmarks" of 2008 Subaru Tribeca. Some drivers, however, may find the lack of a telescoping steering wheel a problem, like a reviewer at Cars.com: "it only tilts...my arms grew sore from stretching to reach the wheel."

Problems with visibility crop up in some reviews. Cars.com notes that "Over-shoulder visibility is decent, but the Tribeca's large A-pillars can hide pedestrians and even cars when they're on the right-hand side."

Finally, Mother Proof finds "plenty of functional storage in the Tribeca," including many cup holders and storage bins.

Conclusion

As a five-passenger SUV with good cargo capacity, the 2008 Subaru Tribeca excels; add more passengers, and the comfort level drops noticeably.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:could use some improvement in passenger accommodationsEdmundsoptional leather seats are firm but were comfortable for the duration of the long driveCars.complenty of functional storageMother Proofthe roomy interior coddles its passengersKelley Blue Book The 2008 Subaru Tribeca offers comfortable accommodations for most with some caveats: a cramped third row and outward visibility problems. Little has changed inside the 2008 Subaru Tribeca, where a space-age theme throws its cozy semicircular arms and arrays of soft, blinking graphics around the driver and passenger. The Tribeca is snug, though. As a mid-size crossover, the 2008 Subaru Tribeca is not as large as other SUVs with three-row accommodations. As a result, the third row is cramped for all but small kids, and while the second row moves fore and aft 8 inches, it, too, becomes cramped when making room for the third row. Edmunds complains that the second row "although fine for kids, lacks the legroom and hip room that larger, taller adults need." The second-row seats do recline and are split 60/40. In five-passenger editions, the second-row seat slides to and fro 8 inches, giving limolike legroom. Big grab handles make third-row access, on three-row Tribecas, a lot easier for kids, too. In front, it's a nicer affair. Kelley Blue Book applauds "the wide front seating, which also features adjustable lumbar support for both the driver and passenger." They also praise the "Excellent fit and finish," saying the "appealing materials and an uncommon dash design are the hallmarks" of 2008 Subaru Tribeca. Some drivers, however, may find the lack of a telescoping steering wheel a problem, like a reviewer at Cars.com: "it only tilts...my arms grew sore from stretching to reach the wheel." Problems with visibility crop up in some reviews. Cars.com notes that "Over-shoulder visibility is decent, but the Tribeca's large A-pillars can hide pedestrians and even cars when they're on the right-hand side." Finally, Mother Proof finds "plenty of functional storage in the Tribeca," including many cup holders and storage bins. ConclusionAs a five-passenger SUV with good cargo capacity, the 2008 Subaru Tribeca excels; add more passengers, and the comfort level drops noticeably.  2008 SUBARU TRIBECA STYLING | [7 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "A more palatable, if somewhat generic front end" Edmunds: "Smaller than most other midsize crossover SUVs " Cars.com: "swoopy dashboard styling" Car and Driver: "large wheels and tires make it seem more premium" The ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Subaru Tribeca has some highly refined, highly popular competition. The Honda Pilot is one of the best crossovers available--and for 2009, it gets a complete makeover, inside and out. The Nissan Murano is also new for 2009; it's more refined and has a beautiful new interior, but doesn't offer a third-row seat. The Toyota Highlander comes in two- and three-row versions and has a big V-6, along with very soft handling.

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See the Subaru Tribeca in Other Years:

2009 | 2008

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