Is the Subaru Tribeca fuel efficient?
The Subaru Tribeca is a midsize SUV that has been on the market since 2005. While the Tribeca offers a spacious interior and all-wheel-drive capability, its fuel efficiency has been a point of concern for many consumers. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the Tribeca's fuel economy and whether it can be considered a fuel-efficient vehicle.
Subaru Tribeca Fuel Economy Ratings
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Subaru Tribeca has the following fuel economy ratings:
- 2022 Subaru Tribeca: 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, 22 mpg combined
- 2021 Subaru Tribeca: 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, 22 mpg combined
- 2020 Subaru Tribeca: 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, 22 mpg combined
These fuel economy figures are on the lower end for a midsize SUV, with many competitors offering better gas mileage. For comparison, the Honda Pilot, a similar-sized SUV, has EPA ratings of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined.
Factors Affecting the Tribeca's Fuel Efficiency
There are a few key factors that contribute to the Subaru Tribeca's relatively low fuel efficiency:
- Engine Size: The Tribeca is powered by a 3.6-liter flat-six engine, which is larger and less fuel-efficient than the four-cylinder engines found in many other midsize SUVs.
- All-Wheel Drive: The Tribeca comes standard with Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which adds weight and complexity to the vehicle, reducing fuel economy.
- Aerodynamics: The Tribeca's boxy, upright design is less aerodynamic than more streamlined SUV models, resulting in increased wind resistance and poorer fuel efficiency.
While the Tribeca's fuel economy is not exceptional, it is still within the range of what is typical for a midsize SUV. Drivers who prioritize fuel efficiency may want to consider other options in the segment, but the Tribeca's all-wheel-drive capability and spacious interior may still make it an appealing choice for some buyers.
Which Subaru is the most gas efficient?
The most fuel-efficient Subaru models are the Legacy and Impreza, with the Forester Hybrid leading overall if you include hybrid options. The Legacy sedan gets an EPA-estimated 27 MPG city/35 MPG highway, while the Impreza hatchback achieves 27 MPG city/34 MPG highway. For a hybrid option, the Crosstrek Hybrid offers a much higher fuel efficiency, rated up to 90 MPGe.
| Model | City MPG | Highway MPG |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Legacy (2.5L engine) | 27 | 35 |
| 2025 Impreza (2.0L engine) | 27 | 34 |
| 2025 Forester Hybrid | 35 | 34 |
| Crosstrek Hybrid | 90 MPGe (combined) | 90 MPGe (combined) |
(this||self).Wufxzb=function(c,e,f,l,k){var d=document.getElementById(c);if(d&&(d.offsetWidth!==0||d.offsetHeight!==0)){c=d.querySelector("div");var g=c.scrollWidth-c.offsetWidth,h=Math.min(e?g:0,g);c.scrollLeft=e&&(l||f)?0:h;var a=d.getElementsByTagName("g-left-button")[0],b=d.getElementsByTagName("g-right-button")[0];a&&b&&(e=RegExp("\\btHT0l\\b"),f=RegExp("\\bpQXcHc\\b"),a.className=a.className.replace(e,""),b.className=b.className.replace(e,""),h===0?a.className="pQXcHc "+a.className:(a.className=
a.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("pA30Ne")),h===g?b.className="pQXcHc "+b.className:(b.className=b.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("FpCCub")),setTimeout(function(){a.className+=" tHT0l";b.className+=" tHT0l"},50))}};}).call(this);(function(){var id='_qcolafjzEImTkdUP3fGxuQY_257';var rtl=false;var gecko=false;var edge=false;var soh=false;
(this||self).Wufxzb(id,rtl,gecko,edge,soh);})();
Gas-only models
- Subaru Legacy: With the base 2.5-liter engine, the Legacy sedan offers an EPA-estimated 27 MPG city and 35 MPG highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient gas-only options.
- Subaru Impreza: The Impreza hatchback is a strong contender with an estimated 27 MPG city and 34 MPG highway.
- Subaru Forester: This compact SUV gets an estimated 26 MPG city and 33 MPG highway with its base engine, which is very efficient for its class.
Hybrid model
- Crosstrek Hybrid: This is Subaru's most fuel-efficient vehicle, combining gas and electric power for an estimated 90 MPGe. This is a significant advantage for city driving and offers substantial fuel savings.
What affects your mileage
- Engine and transmission: Turbocharged engines and manual transmissions generally have lower MPG ratings compared to their base counterparts.
- Driving habits: Your driving habits, like speed and acceleration, will impact the actual gas mileage you get.
- Tires: Tires and all-terrain features can negatively affect fuel economy due to increased rolling resistance and compromised aerodynamics.
Why don't they make Subaru Tribeca anymore?
On October 18, 2013, Autoblog, Jalopnik, and Cars.com all confirmed that Subaru informed its dealers that production on the Tribeca would end in January 2014 due to slow sales. Subaru sold just under 77,000 Tribecas total in the United States, making it one of the worst-selling vehicles in the US in 2011 and 2012.
Is the Subaru Tribeca a good car?
The Subaru Tribeca is a decent car with comfortable ride quality, standard all-wheel drive, and a spacious interior, though it has some drawbacks like subpar fuel economy and limited cargo space. It generally receives good ratings for performance, comfort, and its interior, but its reliability can be average, and it's often considered outclassed in terms of space by competitors.
Pros
- Performance: The optional 3.6-liter engine provides a strong and smooth ride, especially in later models, and the standard all-wheel drive makes it capable in various weather conditions.
- Comfort and Interior: The Tribeca offers a comfortable ride and a high-quality, well-finished interior with user-friendly controls.
- Safety: It has received admirable crash-test scores and includes a generous list of standard safety equipment.
- Handling: The handling is described as planted and confident, providing a smooth and stable driving experience.
Cons
- Reliability: While some owners report high reliability, others note it has an average reliability rating compared to other midsize SUVs, with a higher-than-normal frequency of repairs.
- Fuel Economy: The Tribeca's fuel economy is generally considered subpar.
- Cargo and Space: Some reviewers found it to have limited cargo space, and the third row of seats is considered very small.
- Styling: Early models had a divisive front-end design that was later revised in 2008 to be more conservative.
Overall
The Tribeca is a solid choice for a family SUV, especially if you prioritize all-weather capability, a comfortable ride, and a high-quality interior. However, potential buyers should be aware of its average reliability ratings and fuel economy before making a decision.
How many miles per gallon does a Subaru Tribeca get?
The Subaru Tribeca gets an EPA-estimated 18 MPG combined city/highway rating, with 16 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway. This applies to most model years, including the 2006 B9 Tribeca and the 2008 through 2012 models.
- City: 16 MPG
- Highway: 21 MPG
- Combined: 18 MPG
