Subaru Tribeca (2012)

 

  
CARBARN | Subaru Tribeca (2012) | The Tribeca is Subaru's mid-size crossover-a little larger than the automaker's rugged Outback wagon, and as the name hints, a little more Urbane in purpose. Updates to the Tribeca in recent years models have been Kept to a minimum. In its current iteration, the Subaru Tribeca looks sleek and curvy, but not overtly so, and its styling details-at least on the outside-feel of carefully calculated to offend no one. While the exterior of the Tribeca is quite unremarkable, the interior makes more of an impression.

The 2012 Subaru Tribeca is powered by a 256-horsepower, 3.6-liter flat-six engine, with torque sent to all four wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission and a symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. ESPECIALLY gas mileage is not good for this class, with the Tribeca returning 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. But the Tribeca push hard into a corner and you'll find one of the Tribeca's best attributes: It has good body control and better steering than most other vehicles of this type.



There's nothing particularly noteworthy about the Tribeca's packaging-though it does fit three rows into a manageable footprint that's pretty easy to park. We feel confident in saying That the Tribeca is one of the safest picks Among mid-size crossovers; it's scored excellent marks in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) crash tests and was a Top Safety Pick for 2011. For 2012, Subaru has redesigned the head restraints; side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags for first-and second-row passengers but not for third-row passengers Remain standard.

The 2012 Tribeca Remains Offered in Premium, Limited, or Touring trims, with the touring model Gaining a moonroof, a navigation system, and a reversing camera, all as standard features. The base premium is generously equipped, too, with fog lights, 18-inch wheels, power driver and passenger seats, and heated front seats. The Subaru Tribeca looks, inside and out, like a slightly more upscale take on the family wagon of our day-the mid-size crossover vehicle.

While the exterior of the Tribeca is quite unremarkable, the interior makes more of an impression. A curvy, overtly futuristic (read, feeling already dated) cockpit-like interior of the original model of Remains; it's a handsome setup in the details, and its ambient lighting is ESPECIALLY extensive.