Saab 9-6X

Subaru Tribeca

Company type	Automobile model
Industry	Automotive
Predecessor	Subaru Legacy platform
Founded	2005 (2005)
Defunct	2014 (2014)
Headquarters	Lafayette, Indiana , United States
Area served	North America, Australasia, Europe, South America, South Africa, China, Middle East, Southeast Asia
Products	Mid-size crossover SUV

The Subaru Tribeca is a mid-size crossover SUV produced and marketed by Subaru from 2005 through 2014 model years. In certain markets such as Canada, it was branded as the Subaru B9 Tribeca, with its name inspired by New York City's Tribeca district. Built upon the Subaru Legacy platform and available in both five- and seven-seat layouts, the Tribeca was initially intended to be sold alongside a closely related model called the Saab 9-6X. However, Saab—then under the ownership of General Motors (GM)—discontinued the 9-6X project shortly before launch after GM divested its 20 percent stake in Fuji Heavy Industries in 2005.

The vehicle's design took cues from Subaru's B9X concept car, but its initial styling received criticism upon release, prompting a redesign for the 2008 model year and dropping the "B9" prefix to simply Tribeca worldwide.

In North America, the Tribeca was introduced for the 2006 model year, followed by launches in Australasia and Europe later that same year. Besides these regions, Subaru also offered the Tribeca in South America, South Africa, China, Middle Eastern countries, and select Southeast Asian markets.Template:Fix/category Notably, it was never retailed in Japan.

History

Subaru introduced the Tribeca initially as the B9X on November 5, 2004, during the South Florida Auto Show. Following feedback from existing and prospective customers, the name was changed to B9 Tribeca in December. Subaru's original plan was to assign all its models a "B" prefix (denoting "boxer") along with a number reflecting their position in the lineup. The addition of "Tribeca" aimed to capitalize on the established recognition linked to the progressive style, art, and culture associated with the TRIBECA name, as stated by Subaru President and CEO Kyoji Takenaka. The Tribeca then made its global debut at the North American International Auto Show in January 2005, with sales commencing in early summer 2005 for the 2006 model year. Production took place at the SIA plant in Lafayette, Indiana, catering to markets including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Chile. Automotive reviewers from The Guardian and drive.com.au characterized it as a "soft-roader".

2005–2007

File:2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca (H6 3.0 245 hp) (2).jpg

File:Subaru B9 Tribeca - 49151131372 (2).jpg

Subaru B9 Tribeca (pre-facelift)

The B9 Tribeca featured a distinct triangular-shaped grille combined with a rounded silhouette, echoing design elements from the Impreza as well as Subaru’s Japanese market kei car models, the Subaru R1 and R2. This styling choice sparked controversy among critics. While some praised its uniqueness, others found it polarizing. Several reviewers noted that future Subaru models abandoned both this grille design and the "B" naming convention due to mixed reception. The Guardian remarked that while the Tribeca might be considered attractive by those who appreciate such aesthetics, its large size rendered it somewhat out of place in typical suburban environments, describing it as a "bungalow-size, high-riding suburban 4x4".

The grille and aviation-inspired theme were originally developed for earlier concept vehicles like the B11S and B9 Scrambler, created by Fuore Design, an independent Spanish design consultancy. This grille design was intended to reflect Subaru’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries' rich aviation heritage. Although much of the exterior styling was finalized before Subaru designer Andreas Zapatinas joined the team, Zapatinas and his group were responsible for designing the interior, focusing particularly on the dashboard layout.

Under the hood, the Tribeca was equipped with a 3.0-liter EZ30 horizontally opposed engine paired with a five-speed automatic transmission.

In 2006, for the 2007 model year, Subaru introduced minor updates to the Tribeca showcased at the Chicago Auto Show. These revisions included a redesigned grille along with enhancements to struts, stabilizer bars, and spring rates. On the inside, features such as XM Satellite Radio and iPod connectivity became available. Additionally, options like a backup camera and parking assist system were offered when paired with the navigation system. A "Special Edition" trim added elements including a mesh grille, XM radio access, and exclusive wheels.

Saab 9-6X

Saab intended to market a variant of the Tribeca named the "9-6X," but these plans were halted in 2005 following General Motors' sale of its 20 percent stake in FHI, a portion of which was acquired by Toyota. The 9-6X was slated to be manufactured alongside the Tribeca at Subaru's SIA plant in the United States. Saab had initially aimed to replace the 9-7X after only two years, but instead, the SUV based on the Oldsmobile Bravada body-on-frame platform remained in production through the 2009 model year.

The Saab version of the Tribeca remained unreleased to the public until a prototype 9-6X was exhibited at the Saab museum in Trollhättan in July 2011, featuring an interior largely identical to the contemporary B9 Tribeca. Several exterior design elements from the unreleased 9-6X, including modifications to the front fenders, were incorporated into the 2008 model year facelift, which was introduced shortly after the original model's debut.

2007–2014

File:Subaru Tribeca Facelift front 20100715.jpg

File:Subaru Tribeca Facelift rear 20100715.jpg

Facelift (2007)

At the April 2007 New York International Auto Show, Subaru unveiled the 2008 Tribeca featuring a facelift and an upgraded 3.6-liter EZ36 flat-six engine producing 191 kilowatts (256 hp). The manufacturer reported a 10 percent improvement in fuel efficiency while running on regular gasoline; prior models from 2006 and 2007 required premium fuel. Concurrently, Subaru removed the "B9" prefix, simplifying the name to "Subaru Tribeca" across all markets.

The rear design received subtle updates including more rounded taillights, a redesigned hatch, and a reshaped rear side window. Although interior styling remained consistent with previous versions, the second-row seats were reengineered to provide increased space and easier access to the third row.

Market

North America

In the North American market, the Tribeca was available in two main trims: Base and Limited. The Limited version featured enhancements such as a moonroof, leather upholstery, roof rails to improve cargo capacity, and a premium audio system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer. Interior color options were limited to either a light "Desert Beige" or a darker "Slate Gray," with cloth upholstery exclusive to the Base trim and leather reserved for the Limited trim. For leather-trimmed vehicles, interior color selections depended on the exterior paint choice rather than offering independent customization. Beginning in 2007, the beige cloth option was discontinued, and the Base model was offered with only two exterior colors. The 2006–2007 North American B9 Tribeca models came equipped with smaller wing mirrors, which were replaced by larger mirrors—similar to those on European models—starting with the 2008 model year.Template:Fix/category

File:2010 Subaru Tribeca (B9 MY10) R Premium Pack wagon 01.jpg

Interior of Subaru Tribeca

The Limited trim incorporated an in-dash multifunction display that provided information on the audio system, trip computer data, and external temperature readings. When fitted with the navigation package, this screen also displayed navigation directions, maintenance schedules, vehicle setting controls, as well as calendar, calculator, and memo functions. An optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system combined with the navigation package was offered for models equipped with a third-row seat; this setup included a video input from the rear-seat DVD player that could be shown on the instrument panel center screen only when the parking brake was applied.

Cargo capacity measured 37.6 cu ft (1.06 m³) with the second-row seats upright and expanded to 74.4 cu ft (2.11 m³) when those seats were folded down. Seating arrangements included either standard second-row seats or an optional third row.

Safety features included six airbags: dual front airbags for driver and passenger, side-impact airbags deployed from the outer edges of the front seats, and side curtain airbags covering both front and second-row doors.

Two audio system options were available: a 100-watt six-speaker setup with a single-disc in-dash CD player supporting MP3 playback, or a premium 160-watt system exclusive to Limited trims featuring nine speakers including a subwoofer and a six-disc in-dash CD changer compatible with MP3 files. Both configurations included steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and an auxiliary input jack was introduced in 2007.

At that time in North America, the Tribeca stood out as the sole vehicle in its segment to come standard with all-wheel drive.Template:Fix/category Subaru’s initial U.S. television advertising campaign for this model prominently utilized Kansas’s song "Dust in the Wind". The Tribeca earned Ward's Auto 2006 "Interior of the Year" award within the premium crossover utility category based on votes from automotive industry experts. Additionally, it was recognized as the Most Innovative Concept at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show.Template:Fix/category The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded it a "Top Safety Pick" rating following crash test evaluations.

Drivetrain

Subaru opted for an aluminum alloy horizontally opposed "boxer" engine to reduce the powertrain's weight and lower the vehicle's center of gravity, thereby minimizing body roll. The engine and automatic transmission weights are balanced laterally rather than offset side to side. Power is transmitted directly from the transmission to the front wheels and then distributed to the rear axle through a "Variable Torque Distribution" system. This system incorporates a central planetary differential gear paired with an electronically managed hydraulic clutch, which splits torque 45% to the front and 55% to the rear during standard driving conditions. On certain models, the rear wheels receive power via a limited slip rear differential.Template:Fix/category The front differential is built into the transmission assembly.

Sales in United States and Canada

Year	U.S. Sales	Canadian Sales
2005	14,797	804
2006	18,614	902
2007	16,790	801
2008	10,975	925
2009	5,930	588
2010	2,472	536
2011	2,791	460
2012	2,075	390
2013	1,598	234
2014	732	120
2015	–	5
Total	76,774	5,765
Notes:

The boxer engine configuration also offers almost complete vibration cancellation since each piston's motion is exactly counterbalanced by its counterpart in the opposite cylinder bank. This design eliminates the need for a counterbalance shaft as piston movement occurs along a horizontal plane. The only noticeable vibration arises secondarily due to slight offset between opposing cylinder banks but is minimal and effectively dampened by rubber engine mounts. Additionally, this drivetrain layout helps reduce Torque steer by ensuring front driveshafts are equal in length and weight, extending nearly perpendicular from the transmission to each front wheel.Template:Fix/category

For the 2006 model year, initial EPA ratings showed fuel economy at 18 mpg_‑US (13 L/100 km; 22 mpg_‑imp) city and 23 mpg_‑US (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg_‑imp) highway based on the EPA city cycle. After EPA test procedure revisions, fuel consumption figures adjusted to 16 mpg_‑US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg_‑imp) city and 21 mpg_‑US (11 L/100 km; 25 mpg_‑imp) highway, with combined mileage rated at 18 mpg_‑US (13 L/100 km; 22 mpg_‑imp) for both the original (3.0-liter) and updated (3.6-liter) engine variants.

COBB Tuning

In 2006, COBB Tuning introduced a range of performance enhancements for the B9 Tribeca. These upgrades included a supercharger that boosted power output by 70 hp (52 kW), raising it to 320 hp (240 kW). Additionally, the package featured suspension modifications and upgraded front brakes with four-piston calipers.

Discontinuation

In January 2012, Subaru declared that sales of the Tribeca would cease in both the US and Australian markets, with production scheduled to conclude by December 2012. Later, on October 18, 2013, sources such as Autoblog, Jalopnik, and Cars.com reported that Subaru had informed its dealerships of a production halt planned for January 2014, attributing the decision to sluggish sales.

Throughout its tenure in the United States, Subaru sold just below 77,000 Tribecas, ranking it among the poorest-selling vehicles during 2011 and 2012. In the first nine months of 2013 alone, only 1,247 units were sold. For the entire 2013 model year, the Tribeca ranked seventh among the lowest-selling vehicles nationwide with just 1,598 units sold—a decline of 23% compared to 2012 figures.

The decision to discontinue the Tribeca coincided with Subaru's exploration of a replacement model: a premium seven-seat crossover SUV potentially based on the Subaru Exiga. This successor was intended to compete with models like the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder, aiming to attract new customers while retaining existing ones.

By April 2015, Subaru announced that the upcoming Exiga Crossover 7 for Japan would not be marketed in North America due to its dimensions. Instead, they were evaluating a larger Tribeca successor that could be manufactured domestically in the United States. Subsequently, at the 2017 LA Auto Show, Subaru unveiled the Subaru Ascent, a new mid-size crossover SUV slated to replace the Tribeca in North America starting in summer 2018.