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Review of the 2009 Subaru Tribeca Limited

2009 Subaru Tribeca

Price Range $29,995 to $33,595

suitable for: Diapers
School
Teens

16
City MPG

21
Hwy MPG

7 Seats
3 Rows
2 Latch Connectors
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Interior

The Tribeca Limited did show up with a few impressive yet somewhat expected date-night embellishments. It was nicely appointed with heated leather seats and a five-speed automatic transmission with Sportshift manual control; I always love Sportshift because it makes the car fun to drive. The dash had an ultra-modern, wavelike curve in it (dude, it was like totally rad), and the center stack was equally well-stylized. It was, in fact, prettier than I’d expected it to be. Even with all of this, I still wasn’t impressed. Phooey on me.

My passengers appeared equally blasé, which helped to slightly reduce my feelings of guilt. Hubby thought the pump-it-up lumbar support was as laughable as pump sneakers, and my boys found it difficult to climb into Mount Tribeca without getting themselves dirty. They also had a tough time buckling in because the seat belt fasteners were often buried under their booster seats.

On a more positive note, the kids enjoyed having their own second-row A/C control with a storage bin beneath it; it turns out that this bin is the perfect size for stowing a 10-piece chicken nugget box! There was also the typical second-row armrest that contained two cupholders; it was nice but fairly predictable. The Tribeca did up the ante with not one but two seatback pockets for the kids to stuff their stuff into. A lot of cars only offer one seatback pocket. Why would there ever be just one?

The third row provided extra seating in a pinch, but you might get pinched trying to use it. It’s quite the tight squeeze back there. And the top-tether anchors were covered with a plastic cover that made them difficult to find.

There were times that I felt deceived by the 2009 Tribeca. With its leather interior, stylish accents and a more-than-$37,000 price tag, I expected to find automatic headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a more adjustable driver’s seat. Am I being too harsh? Perhaps a second date is in order.

shopping around: At cars.com

key interior: Features

    ● Valet key
    ● Automatic dual-zone front a/c with air filter
    ● Seatback storage pockets
    ●Concealed cargo storage
    ● Four 12-volt DC power outlets

available interior: Colors

  • Slate Gray

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