2009 Subaru Tribeca vs 2008 Toyota Highlander

2009 Subaru Tribeca

2008 Toyota Highlander

Select style

4-Door 5-Pass

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Tribeca 4-Door 5-Pass	16	21	$28,336	$29,995
Tribeca 4-Door 5-Pass Ltd	16	21	$30,727	$32,595
Tribeca 4-Door 5-Pass Ltd w/Nav	16	21	$32,937	$34,995
Tribeca 4-Door 5-Pass Special Edition	16	21	$29,539	$31,295
Tribeca 4-Door 7-Pass	16	21	$29,081	$30,995
Tribeca 4-Door 7-Pass Ltd	16	21	$31,483	$33,595
Tribeca 4-Door 7-Pass Ltd w/DVD/Nav	16	21	$35,352	$37,795
Tribeca 4-Door 7-Pass Ltd w/Nav	16	21	$33,690	$35,995
Tribeca 4-Door 7-Pass Special Edition	16	21	$29,644	$31,595

Select style

4WD 4-Door Base

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Highlander 4WD 4-Door Base	17	23	$25,765	$28,950
Highlander 4WD 4-Door Limited	17	23	$30,571	$34,350
Highlander 4WD 4-Door Sport	17	23	$28,124	$31,600
Highlander FWD 4-Door Base	18	24	$24,475	$27,500
Highlander FWD 4-Door Limited	18	24	$29,281	$32,900
Highlander FWD 4-Door Sport	18	24	$26,833	$30,150
Highlander Hybrid 4WD 4-Door	27	25	$30,780	$34,200
Highlander Hybrid 4WD 4-Door Limited w/3rd Row	27	25	$36,202	$40,450

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$28,336

$25,765

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$29,995

$28,950

Monthly Payment Estimate

$500 / month

$483 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.2

Read Our Full Review

7.8

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2009 Subaru Tribeca has a different personality than other mid-size crossovers, and it’s worth consideration for those who haven’t found the right look and feel.

The 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offers the same room and amenities that the nonhybrid Highlander does, only with better fuel economy and the badge of honor that comes with driving something that's trying to be green.

TCC Likes

All-wheel drive is standard
Capable handling
Good crash-test scores

Leading-edge hybrid technology
Powerful V-6 power-Impressive economy
Quiet ride

TCC Dislikes

Dashboard is a little “space age”
Still just mid-pack in acceleration
Front seat knee room is tight

Dull electric steering
Too-soft suspension
Cramped optional third-row seat

Fuel Economy

City

16 mpg

17 mpg

Highway

21 mpg

23 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

4WD Sport Utility Vehicle

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

57.5

59.5

Front Leg Room (in)

42.3

43.2

Front Hip Room (in)

54.0

56.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

104.2

145.7

Second Leg Room (in)

34.3

38.3

Front Head Room (in)

38.9

40.6

Second Hip Room (in)

54.6

56.5

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.1

59.7

Passenger Capacity

Second Head Room (in)

38.2

40.1

Third Hip Room (in)

42.3

Third Head Room (in)

36.3

Third Shoulder Room (in)

55.0

Third Leg Room (in)

29.9

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

66.4

68.1

Liftover Height (in)

29.2

- TBD -

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.1

64.0

Wheelbase (in)

108.2

109.8

Rear Door Opening Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

73.9

75.2

Track Width, Front (in)

62.2

64.0

Min Ground Clearance (in)

8.4

8.1

Length, Overall (in)

191.5

188.4

Rear Door Opening Width (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

44.4

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

37.6

42.3

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

32.9

- TBD -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

67.9

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

74.4

95.4

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

8.3

10.3

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

43.3

- TBD -

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.4 x 0.71

12.2 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.3 x 1.2

12.9 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

16.9

19.2

Steering

Steering Type

Pwr

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.4

3.1

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

18.0

17.1

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.4

38.7

Tires

Spare Tire Size

Compact

P245/65R17

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P255/55HR18

P245/65R17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P255/55HR18

P245/65R17

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4140

4178

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8.0

17 x 7.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8.0

17 x 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7.5

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

7.8

9.9

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

110

- TBD -

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

490

- TBD -

Engine

Fuel System

MFI

EFI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

247 @ 4400

249 @ 4700

Engine Order Code

Displacement

3.6L/221.5

3.5L/- TBD -

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

256 @ 6000

270 @ 6200

Engine Type

Gas 6-cyl

Gas V6

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.54

4.24

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.47

1.52

Trans Type

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

Drivetrain

All Wheel Drive

4-Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.83

0.76

Trans Description Cont. Again

w/Sportshift

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.37

3.38

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.26

2.36

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.58

3.48

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.05

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low

- TBD -

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High

- TBD -

Summary

Vehicle Name

Subaru Tribeca

Toyota Highlander

Body Style

4 Door

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Upper A-Arm

Sport-tuned

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Strut Type

Independent

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

.55

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Lower L-Arm

Sport-tuned

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

.98

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Double Wishbone

Independent

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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