As the dude sitting next to us at the press conference said, "For 2008 the Subaru crossover SUV goes from B9 to benign." Out goes the alphanumeric portion of the name along with the urinal-shaped front grille. In comes styling so utterly inoffensive as to be offensive. But Subaru says that it is "tired of being the best-kept secret in the industry." And the company reckons that less odd-looking vehicles might accomplish this. So all of the sheetmetal from the A-pillars forward is new, including a grille so much more traditional that it simultaneously looks like many other vehicle grilles and yet no vehicle in particular...
The rear sheet metal is new as well, with larger rear quarter windows and new taillamps. Subaru said of the original B9 Tribeca: "People liked it. But not enough people liked it." We know exactly what you mean, Subaru. The 2008 Tribeca is powered by a new 256-hp 3.6-liter version of Subaru's flat-6 engine. It goes on sale early this summer, starting at less than $30,000. â Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
ateixeira says:
02:08 PM, 04/ 4/07
The grille is fairly plain but give them credit, they kept the shoulders and the concave panels. I also like those fender flares, another thing kept from the original.
I like this enough that it will probably be my next vehicle. Thumbs up, Subaru.
css1 says:
02:39 PM, 04/ 4/07
Those who dislike the new design are the same people that critisized the Tribeca 2 years ago. Give Subaru a break. They have done a great job in a short period of time.
How many manufacturers have changed designs to this exrent mid-cycle in response to the market?
Two thumbs up !!
SubyTrojan says:
03:15 PM, 04/ 4/07
It actually doesn't look boring/bad at all from the right angles!
http://www.subaru.com/sub/misc/2008/autoshow/ny0311/tribeca/index.html
fordlepka says:
03:20 PM, 04/ 4/07
They really fixed this up and really made it appeal to me, and hopefully to potential buyers.
skinny7 says:
03:47 PM, 04/ 4/07
bummer still not too appealing
alpha01 says:
05:51 PM, 04/ 4/07
I think this is a dead-on upgrade; Subaru has paid clear attention to its consumers, or more appropriately, would-be consumers. Fix the bizarre front end, scratch the perplexing name, and offer an engine that runs on regular and has enough torque to smartly move the vehicle off the line. Plus, they barely touched the top-notch interior.
Kudos; if I could afford it and a vehicle this size made sense for me, I'd buy it. Hmmn. Perhaps a lease. Or maybe I'll just have pops trade in his Legacy.....
Heated segment this is, with the CX-9, Veracruz, redesigned Highlander, this Tribeca, the (largish) GM triplets, Edge, etc... all deservedly vying for consumer $$$$
Joe
autonut2 says:
08:34 AM, 04/ 5/07
Man, give Subaru a break already!! The same people who moaned that the Tribecca was ugly and weird are still complaining after Subaru fixed it. Give them credit for addressing the problem and listening to consumers. I think it now has the potential to seriously compete against some of the best selling crossovers in the market. Congrats Subaru. If you advertise right, you'll sell more of these this coming year than the last two combined.
chryslerkid21 says:
06:30 PM, 04/ 5/07
I like it! it looks way better than the original! I'll give Subaru 2 thumbs way up for doing a great job of improving what needed improvement, and leaving what was well enough alone. Great job Subaru!
occking says:
11:39 AM, 04/ 7/07
I have a 2006 now with over 30,000 miles. Love the vehicle, particularly the "ugly" nose. Other than the fact that I wanted to Tribeca for AWD and other safety characteristics, I like the fact that is is quite "different" styling than all of the other SUV's out there. Sure, I wish I could have the back up camera integrated into the Nav System that came out in 2007. Sure, I wish I could use regular fuel and would appreciate the extra gas mileage the 08's are supposed to get. Sure, I wish I could have had XM radio ready to use rather than the separate xm commander unit I presently have. Bottom line, the 08 now looks like most other SUV's.