Is the Subaru Tribeca fast?

The Subaru Tribeca is not considered a particularly fast or high-performance vehicle. It is a midsize crossover SUV designed for practicality, comfort, and all-weather capability rather than outright speed or acceleration.

Overview of the Subaru Tribeca

The Subaru Tribeca was produced by Subaru from 2005 to 2014. It was the company's first foray into the midsize crossover SUV market, slotting above the smaller Outback and Forester models in Subaru's lineup. The Tribeca was known for its distinctive styling, standard all-wheel drive, and Subaru's reputation for safety and reliability.

Performance Characteristics

The Subaru Tribeca was available with a 3.6-liter flat-six boxer engine, producing 256 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. While this provided adequate power for everyday driving, the Tribeca's 0-60 mph acceleration time was around 8 seconds, which is on the slower side for a midsize SUV. The Tribeca's top speed was also limited to around 130 mph.

Compared to more performance-oriented SUVs or crossovers, the Tribeca was not designed for high-speed maneuvers or aggressive driving. Its focus was on providing a comfortable, capable, and family-friendly vehicle with Subaru's signature all-wheel drive system.

Factors Affecting Performance

• Engine: The 3.6-liter flat-six engine, while powerful, was not optimized for outright speed and acceleration.


• Transmission: The Tribeca was available with a 5-speed automatic transmission, which was not as responsive or efficient as more modern transmissions.


• Weight: As a midsize crossover, the Tribeca had a curb weight of around 4,500 pounds, which limited its acceleration and top speed capabilities.


• Suspension and Handling: The Tribeca's suspension was tuned more for comfort and stability than for high-performance driving.

In summary, the Subaru Tribeca was not designed to be a fast or high-performance vehicle. It was intended to be a practical, capable, and family-friendly crossover SUV, with a focus on all-weather capability, safety, and reliability rather than outright speed or acceleration.

Is a Subaru Tribeca a good car?

A Subaru Tribeca is a decent used car, especially models from 2008 onwards, due to their powerful engines, standard all-wheel drive, comfortable ride, and roomy front and second rows. However, potential drawbacks include its small third row, poor fuel economy, higher-than-average repair frequency, and limited cargo space, according to sources like RepairPal, Consumer Reports, and Kelley Blue Book.
 
Pros

• All-wheel drive: Standard on all models, providing excellent performance in various weather conditions. 
• Performance: The 2008 and newer models have a 256-horsepower, 3.6-liter boxer engine that offers smooth and capable acceleration. 
• Comfort: Many owners praise its comfortable ride and quiet cabin. 
• Interior and handling: Reviews often highlight the well-finished interior (especially in front and second rows) and confident handling. 
• Reliability: Some owners report high mileage and long-term satisfaction, though overall repair frequency is slightly above average. 

Cons

• Third row: The third row is very small and best suited for children. 
• Fuel economy: It generally has poor fuel economy. 
• Repair frequency: The average annual repair cost is average, but the frequency of repairs is slightly higher than for other midsize SUVs. 
• Cargo space: The cargo space can be limited, especially with the third row in use. 
• Visibility: Rear visibility is somewhat impaired due to the small rear window. 

Verdict
The Tribeca can be a good option if you need a safe, comfortable SUV with standard all-wheel drive and can live with its significant drawbacks, particularly the tiny third row and poor fuel economy. However, for maximum practicality and better fuel efficiency, other SUVs may be a better choice.

Which Subaru is the fastest?

The fastest Subaru is the limited-production 2019 WRX STI S209, with a 341 horsepower engine, followed closely by other special edition models like the 2004 WR1 and the 2012 WRX STI S206. For current, non-limited production models, the WRX STI remains the fastest, with a 310 horsepower 2.5-liter turbo engine, while the WRX TR and base/limited models follow, with the BRZ being a fast rear-wheel drive alternative.
 
Fastest overall

• 2019 WRX STI S209: This limited-edition model is the fastest Subaru ever made, producing 341 horsepower and achieving 0-60 mph in about 4.5 seconds.
• 2004 WR1: This special edition WRX STI can reach 60 mph in approximately 4.3 seconds.
• 2012 WRX STI S206: This limited-edition model can reach 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. 

Fastest current models

• 2021 WRX STI: The fastest of the final generation WRX STI models, it can go from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds.
• 2025 WRX (Base/Limited): This model can accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 5.4 seconds.
• 2025 WRX TR: A performance-oriented version of the WRX, it can reach 60 mph in about 5.6 seconds.
• BRZ: The BRZ is a lightweight, rear-wheel drive sports car that can reach 60 mph in about 5.8 seconds. 

Fastest Subaru SUVs

• Ascent: The Ascent is Subaru's largest SUV and offers a 2.4L turbocharged boxer engine that can produce 260 horsepower.
• Crosstrek: With its increased horsepower, the Crosstrek is the most powerful Subaru SUV available. 

How much horsepower does a Subaru Tribeca have?

The Subaru Tribeca comes with a 3.6-liter Boxer engine that creates 256 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque.

What was unique about the Subaru Tribeca?

Subaru chose to use an aluminum alloy horizontally opposed "boxer" engine to minimize powertrain weight and lower the center of gravity so as to reduce body roll. The weight of the engine and automatic transmission are laterally balanced instead of being offset from left to right.