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2012
Subaru Tribeca

Starts at:
$30,595
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New 2012 Subaru Tribeca
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NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Not rated
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr 3.6R Premium
    Starts at
    $30,595
    16 City / 21 Hwy
    MPG
    7
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr 3.6R Limited
    Starts at
    $32,595
    16 City / 21 Hwy
    MPG
    7
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr 3.6R Touring
    Starts at
    $35,895
    16 City / 21 Hwy
    MPG
    7
    Seat capacity
    Gas Flat 6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca 2012 Subaru Tribeca

Notable features

256-hp flat-six engine
Standard AWD
Optional remote start
Seven-passenger seating for all models

The good & the bad

The good

Smooth, comfy ride
Original yet functional dashboard design
Safety ratings

The bad

Non-telescoping steering wheel
Narrow side mirrors
Side curtain airbags don't cover third row

Expert 2012 Subaru Tribeca review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Joe Bruzek
Full article
our expert's take

Editor’s note: This review was written in May 2011 about the 2011 Subaru Tribeca. Little of substance has changed with this year’s model. To see what’s new for 2012, click here, or check out a side-by-side comparison of the two model years.

Subaru is on a roll, with recent redesigns of the Forester, Outback and Legacy earning recognition from Cars.com editors and consumers alike for their value and how competitive they are within their segments. Another all-new Subaru — the 36-mpg 2012 Impreza — will debut this summer, leaving one Subaru that seems to have been forgotten: the seven-seat Tribeca crossover SUV.

The 2011 Subaru Tribeca shines when it comes to ride quality and safety ratings, but its smaller size and outdated interior hold it back compared with three-row crossover rivals.

In fact, the Tribeca doesn’t seem to be quite the value other Subarus are. (See three-row crossovers compared.) Tribecas come in base Premium, midlevel Limited and loaded Touring trim levels. I drove a Touring. All come standard with a six-cylinder engine, automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Inside
The interior’s design has aged well over the years, with a smooth, curvy flow that wraps around front passengers. That’s quite the feat considering it’s essentially the same design used when this car was introduced as the B9 Tribeca for 2006.

However, the quality of the materials in there is far from the segment’s best. There’s an overuse of silver plastic that’s meant to imitate aluminum — a cheap-looking trick. The dashboard and center console are carved out of the stuff, and they don’t do the unique design any justice.

The most disappointing part of the interior, though, is the lack of a telescoping steering wheel, which is found in just about every other three-row SUV on the market. What may seem like a small oversight made it impossible for me to sit comfortably in the driver’s seat. At 6-feet tall and with a slender build, I had to move the seat back pretty far to get a comfortable distance from the steering wheel. In that driving position, my elbows couldn’t reach the armrest. Combine this with the Tribeca’s high seating position, and I was not a happy commuter during my 90-minute drives to and from Cars.com’s offices.

Fit, of course, will vary from person to person. Some people may not have any issues, but I was not the only editor to experience frustration over the steering wheel. And the front seating problem snowballed into issues for the second and third rows, too, partly because of the Tribeca’s small size. Legroom is already mediocre in the second row, at 34.3 inches, but with the driver’s seat where I had it positioned, the second row lost heaps of that space. Then, with the second row slid all the way back to compensate, the third row was left with literally no legroom.

Very few crossovers have enough room in their third row to make adults feel comfortable, and the Tribeca isn’t close to breaking that mold. The seat is so close to the floor that my legs and thighs were positioned uncomfortably off the seat cushion.

Cargo
We test a standard assortment of grocery bags, golf clubs and luggage in every car we drive, and there wasn’t much — or any, really — room to spare behind the Tribeca’s third row; there’s only 8.3 cubic feet of storage back there. That’s significantly less than the Pilot’s 18 cubic feet, and it’s even less than a small sedan’s trunk.

With both rows folded flat, the Tribeca has 74.4 cubic feet of total cargo space. Again, it’s an unexceptional amount considering the Pilot has 87 cubic feet, the Highlander has 95.4 and the CX-9 boasts 100.7. What’s more, I can’t imagine trying to fit seven people in this car, especially seven people I like. What’s truly revealing is that Subaru’s Outback wagon doesn’t require a huge concession in overall cargo space (it offers 71.3 cubic feet) even though it seats just five.

Features
One of the Tribeca’s redeeming qualities is Subaru’s trademark Symmetrical all-wheel drive. It’s one of the best systems available for tackling the slippery snow- and rain-covered city roads on which I drove the Tribeca. Even in aggressive starts in these conditions, the car accelerated seamlessly from stoplights. The Tribeca’s all-wheel drive distributes power to all four wheels all the time, helping with a smooth delivery of traction.

Now here comes Debbie Downer: Unlike the Forester and Outback, the Tribeca’s all-wheel drive doesn’t come at much of a discount compared with the competition. The Pilot, Highlander and CX-9 come really close to or beat the Tribeca’s starting price when equipped with all-wheel drive.

Our fully loaded Touring came in at an as-tested price of $37,995. The only option missing was a rear DVD entertainment system. The Touring trim level comes with xenon headlights, a power moonroof, a backup camera and Bluetooth for its $35,795 starting price. Our tester had the optional touch-screen navigation system for another $2,200.

The navigation system suffered from a fundamental flaw: The touch-screen is beyond arm’s reach — or at least it was beyond mine. To enter an address or check the gas mileage, I had to lean very far forward to reach the screen at the top of the dashboard. The navigation itself felt outdated, with graphics that are easily bested by many of today’s smartphones and portable GPS devices.

Acceleration, Ride & Handling
One engine is available in the Tribeca, and it’s a solid one. The 3.6-liter, horizontally opposed six-cylinder makes 256 horsepower and offers punchy acceleration around town. Even the lightest tap of the throttle results in quick acceleration. The engine does, however, seem to lose some of its gusto at highway speeds when trying to pass.

With only one engine, transmission (a five-speed automatic) and driveline configuration, the Tribeca’s gas mileage is a somewhat unimpressive 16/21 mpg city/highway — take it or leave it. Other crossovers have the option of more efficient front-wheel-drive models, and the Highlander has a base four-cylinder engine for the gas-conscious.

One of the Tribeca’s strongest driving attributes is its ride quality; the suspension absorbs road imperfections with ease, making for a very comfortable commute.

Safety
Like the rest of Subaru’s current lineup, the 2011 Tribeca is a Top Safety Pick at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It scores the agency’s best rating, Good, in front-, rear- and side-impact crash tests, as well as in a roof-strength test.

As of publication, the 2011 Tribeca has not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration using its revised testing procedures.

Tribeca in the Market
In April, new-car sales of the Tribeca totaled a lackluster 241 units. Sales numbers aren’t always an indication of a good or bad product, but in this case, it seems seven-seat crossover shoppers are buying elsewhere.

The Honda Pilot sells around 8,000 a month, and even the more niche, sporty Mazda CX-9 crossover sells around 2,800 units. To be competitive, Subaru needs to give the Tribeca some serious attention. Given its smaller size, its entry-level price doesn’t give it much of an advantage over the competition, and there are also some very good products competing from within Subaru — including the Outback, which sold 9,400 units in April.

email  
Managing Editor
Joe Bruzek

Managing Editor Joe Bruzek’s 22 years of automotive experience doesn’t count the lifelong obsession that started as a kid admiring his dad’s 1964 Chevrolet Corvette — and continues to this day. Joe’s been an automotive journalist with Cars.com for 16 years, writing shopper-focused car reviews, news and research content. As Managing Editor, one of his favorite areas of focus is helping shoppers understand electric cars and how to determine whether going electric is right for them. In his free time, Joe maintains a love-hate relationship with his 1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am that he wishes would fix itself. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-bruzek-2699b41b/

2012 Subaru Tribeca review: Our expert's take
By Joe Bruzek

Editor’s note: This review was written in May 2011 about the 2011 Subaru Tribeca. Little of substance has changed with this year’s model. To see what’s new for 2012, click here, or check out a side-by-side comparison of the two model years.

Subaru is on a roll, with recent redesigns of the Forester, Outback and Legacy earning recognition from Cars.com editors and consumers alike for their value and how competitive they are within their segments. Another all-new Subaru — the 36-mpg 2012 Impreza — will debut this summer, leaving one Subaru that seems to have been forgotten: the seven-seat Tribeca crossover SUV.

The 2011 Subaru Tribeca shines when it comes to ride quality and safety ratings, but its smaller size and outdated interior hold it back compared with three-row crossover rivals.

In fact, the Tribeca doesn’t seem to be quite the value other Subarus are. (See three-row crossovers compared.) Tribecas come in base Premium, midlevel Limited and loaded Touring trim levels. I drove a Touring. All come standard with a six-cylinder engine, automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Inside
The interior’s design has aged well over the years, with a smooth, curvy flow that wraps around front passengers. That’s quite the feat considering it’s essentially the same design used when this car was introduced as the B9 Tribeca for 2006.

However, the quality of the materials in there is far from the segment’s best. There’s an overuse of silver plastic that’s meant to imitate aluminum — a cheap-looking trick. The dashboard and center console are carved out of the stuff, and they don’t do the unique design any justice.

The most disappointing part of the interior, though, is the lack of a telescoping steering wheel, which is found in just about every other three-row SUV on the market. What may seem like a small oversight made it impossible for me to sit comfortably in the driver’s seat. At 6-feet tall and with a slender build, I had to move the seat back pretty far to get a comfortable distance from the steering wheel. In that driving position, my elbows couldn’t reach the armrest. Combine this with the Tribeca’s high seating position, and I was not a happy commuter during my 90-minute drives to and from Cars.com’s offices.

Fit, of course, will vary from person to person. Some people may not have any issues, but I was not the only editor to experience frustration over the steering wheel. And the front seating problem snowballed into issues for the second and third rows, too, partly because of the Tribeca’s small size. Legroom is already mediocre in the second row, at 34.3 inches, but with the driver’s seat where I had it positioned, the second row lost heaps of that space. Then, with the second row slid all the way back to compensate, the third row was left with literally no legroom.

Very few crossovers have enough room in their third row to make adults feel comfortable, and the Tribeca isn’t close to breaking that mold. The seat is so close to the floor that my legs and thighs were positioned uncomfortably off the seat cushion.

Cargo
We test a standard assortment of grocery bags, golf clubs and luggage in every car we drive, and there wasn’t much — or any, really — room to spare behind the Tribeca’s third row; there’s only 8.3 cubic feet of storage back there. That’s significantly less than the Pilot’s 18 cubic feet, and it’s even less than a small sedan’s trunk.

With both rows folded flat, the Tribeca has 74.4 cubic feet of total cargo space. Again, it’s an unexceptional amount considering the Pilot has 87 cubic feet, the Highlander has 95.4 and the CX-9 boasts 100.7. What’s more, I can’t imagine trying to fit seven people in this car, especially seven people I like. What’s truly revealing is that Subaru’s Outback wagon doesn’t require a huge concession in overall cargo space (it offers 71.3 cubic feet) even though it seats just five.

Features
One of the Tribeca’s redeeming qualities is Subaru’s trademark Symmetrical all-wheel drive. It’s one of the best systems available for tackling the slippery snow- and rain-covered city roads on which I drove the Tribeca. Even in aggressive starts in these conditions, the car accelerated seamlessly from stoplights. The Tribeca’s all-wheel drive distributes power to all four wheels all the time, helping with a smooth delivery of traction.

Now here comes Debbie Downer: Unlike the Forester and Outback, the Tribeca’s all-wheel drive doesn’t come at much of a discount compared with the competition. The Pilot, Highlander and CX-9 come really close to or beat the Tribeca’s starting price when equipped with all-wheel drive.

Our fully loaded Touring came in at an as-tested price of $37,995. The only option missing was a rear DVD entertainment system. The Touring trim level comes with xenon headlights, a power moonroof, a backup camera and Bluetooth for its $35,795 starting price. Our tester had the optional touch-screen navigation system for another $2,200.

The navigation system suffered from a fundamental flaw: The touch-screen is beyond arm’s reach — or at least it was beyond mine. To enter an address or check the gas mileage, I had to lean very far forward to reach the screen at the top of the dashboard. The navigation itself felt outdated, with graphics that are easily bested by many of today’s smartphones and portable GPS devices.

Acceleration, Ride & Handling
One engine is available in the Tribeca, and it’s a solid one. The 3.6-liter, horizontally opposed six-cylinder makes 256 horsepower and offers punchy acceleration around town. Even the lightest tap of the throttle results in quick acceleration. The engine does, however, seem to lose some of its gusto at highway speeds when trying to pass.

With only one engine, transmission (a five-speed automatic) and driveline configuration, the Tribeca’s gas mileage is a somewhat unimpressive 16/21 mpg city/highway — take it or leave it. Other crossovers have the option of more efficient front-wheel-drive models, and the Highlander has a base four-cylinder engine for the gas-conscious.

One of the Tribeca’s strongest driving attributes is its ride quality; the suspension absorbs road imperfections with ease, making for a very comfortable commute.

Safety
Like the rest of Subaru’s current lineup, the 2011 Tribeca is a Top Safety Pick at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It scores the agency’s best rating, Good, in front-, rear- and side-impact crash tests, as well as in a roof-strength test.

As of publication, the 2011 Tribeca has not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration using its revised testing procedures.

Tribeca in the Market
In April, new-car sales of the Tribeca totaled a lackluster 241 units. Sales numbers aren’t always an indication of a good or bad product, but in this case, it seems seven-seat crossover shoppers are buying elsewhere.

The Honda Pilot sells around 8,000 a month, and even the more niche, sporty Mazda CX-9 crossover sells around 2,800 units. To be competitive, Subaru needs to give the Tribeca some serious attention. Given its smaller size, its entry-level price doesn’t give it much of an advantage over the competition, and there are also some very good products competing from within Subaru — including the Outback, which sold 9,400 units in April.

email  

Safety review

Based on the 2012 Subaru Tribeca base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Rollover rating
4/5
16.4%
Risk of rollover
16.4%
Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 years / 80,000 miles
Basic
Coverage available for purchase
Dealer certification
152-point inspection

Consumer reviews

4.4 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.5
Interior 4.4
Performance 4.0
Value 4.1
Exterior 4.2
Reliability 4.2

Most recent

  • Trying to find out if anyone else is having simila

    I thought the truck would be great for travel with my 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren it's to compact in the 3 row and the cruise control will not go off and the it's a shortage in the radio the brake lights keep having to be changed out check engine light won't go out and I only had the vehicle for 8 months
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 1.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 1.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Must see

    This car may have high mileage, but runs perfectly! There are no known problems other than minor cosmetic ones. This is a great, reliable car for the family or for a college student where it snows!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Amazing vehicle

    The Tribeca is the most superior vehicle I have ever owned. It is fast, agile, solid and responsive. It’s safe, easy to maneuver in tight spaces and so reliable. Mine just turned 80,000 miles and no squeaks, nothing malfunctioning and feels the same as when I drove it off the lot! It’s a true diamond among suv’s!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Everything you need

    We needed a 3 row that was not huge and ungainly. We wanted AWD and a good back up camera too. This is nice. It has a useful amount of room even with all seats occupied. With the 6 of us, and one third row seat in use, there is a lot of room. Third row is cramped, but kids dont mind. It has GPS, and uses that large color screen for the backup camera. Giving excellent rear view. Its a Subaru, so its AWD of course. Its pleasant to drive, adjustable even for small folks with good visibility. My wife is a new driver and she can handle it well, and I have found AWD drive makes a real difference in winter driving and adds a measure of safety for a new driver. All in all, we are well satisfied
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Happy with purchase

    My wife and I bought a 2012 Tribeca and are very happy with it. I don't get all of the negative ratings to be honest but the fit was a great one for my wife. The knocks on the car are the mileage and lack of room for the 3rd row. For us, my wife does not drive a great distance to work and the tradeoff for response and power on the car is worth it. The 3rd row is functional in that the only people who will ride in the rear 3rd seat is the occasional time our 2 children are there when there are others in the car. Interior set up is beautiful.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great Car

    Subaru Tribeca is fun to own and really fun to drive. The standard AWD system is bullet proof. It's great on snow and rain. The engine pulls the mountains with little effort. The limited model has it all, Moonroof, heated seats with memory and if you have kids 7 passenger. Look at youtube videoes on any Subaru model and you will see wht its smart to own this vehicle.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Less than 13 mpg. Subaru advertised 16mpg.

    We bought a 2011 and from the begining had back support problem, we decided since couln't get our money back to get a 2012 (design is better) but now we are stuck with 7 years paying this gas eater. Windshields and windows fog easily all the time, should bought an Acura RDX.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • second tribeca own in one month

    Having so many problems with a brand new 2011 went back to dealer to purchase a 2012, so far happy:)
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2012 Subaru Tribeca?

The 2012 Subaru Tribeca is available in 3 trim levels:

  • Limited (1 style)
  • Premium (1 style)
  • Touring (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2012 Subaru Tribeca?

The 2012 Subaru Tribeca offers up to 16 MPG in city driving and 21 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2012 Subaru Tribeca reliable?

The 2012 Subaru Tribeca has an average reliability rating of 4.2 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2012 Subaru Tribeca owners.

Is the 2012 Subaru Tribeca a good SUV?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2012 Subaru Tribeca. 87.5% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.4 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.5
  • Interior: 4.4
  • Performance: 4.0
  • Value: 4.1
  • Exterior: 4.2
  • Reliability: 4.2
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