What car replaced the Subaru Tribeca?
The Subaru Tribeca, Subaru's midsize SUV model, was discontinued in 2014 and replaced by the Subaru Outback as the brand's flagship SUV offering. The Outback, a crossover wagon with SUV-like capabilities, has become Subaru's best-selling and most popular model in recent years.
The Rise and Fall of the Subaru Tribeca
The Subaru Tribeca was introduced in 2005 as Subaru's first foray into the midsize SUV market. It was designed to compete with models like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. The Tribeca featured Subaru's signature all-wheel-drive system and offered seating for up to seven passengers.
However, the Tribeca struggled to gain traction with consumers. Its polarizing exterior design, cramped third-row seating, and high price tag compared to competitors contributed to lackluster sales. Subaru discontinued the Tribeca in 2014 after just nine years on the market.
The Subaru Outback Takes the Lead
With the Tribeca gone, Subaru needed a new flagship SUV model. The company turned to the Outback, which had been in production since 1994 as a raised, all-wheel-drive version of the Legacy wagon.
The Outback has since been redesigned and expanded, growing in size and capability to fill the void left by the Tribeca. Key features that have made the Outback a hit include:
- Standard all-wheel-drive system
- Increased ground clearance for light off-road use
- Spacious, versatile cargo area
- Available turbocharged engine options
- Reputation for safety and reliability
The Outback's combination of SUV-like utility, car-like driving dynamics, and Subaru's reputation for quality have made it the brand's best-selling model in recent years. In 2022, Subaru sold over 150,000 Outbacks in the United States alone.
Conclusion
While the Subaru Tribeca may have been a short-lived experiment, the Outback has proven to be a long-term success story for the brand. As consumer preferences have shifted towards crossover and SUV models, the Outback has emerged as Subaru's flagship vehicle, offering the perfect blend of capability, practicality, and Subaru's signature all-wheel-drive performance.
What cars are similar to the Tribeca?
Cars similar to 2014 Subaru Tribeca
- 2014 Subaru Tribeca.
- 2014 Ford Edge.
- 2014 Honda Pilot.
- 2014 Nissan Murano.
- 2014 Toyota Highlander.
Why did Subaru discontinue the Tribeca?
The Subaru Tribeca was discontinued primarily due to low sales and criticism of its design. Its sales fell significantly after 2007, reaching only 732 units in 2014, its final year. Additional factors included a cramped third row, mediocre fuel economy, and high maintenance costs, which the eventual replacement, the Subaru Ascent, was designed to address.
This video discusses the rumors of the Subaru Tribeca making a comeback: 53sUNCLE CARSYouTube · Oct 29, 2024
Key reasons for discontinuation
- Poor sales: Sales plummeted from a high of over 18,000 in 2007 to fewer than 1,000 by 2012, making it an unprofitable model.
- Criticized styling: The initial "B9" model had a polarizing and controversial design that didn't resonate with consumers, and despite a refresh, it never achieved strong sales.
- Design flaws: Critics and consumers pointed out that the third-row seating was small and cramped, and the vehicle had less cargo space than competitors.
- Fuel economy: The Tribeca's 3.6-liter engine was not fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated 18 combined mpg, which lagged behind competitors.
- High maintenance costs: The Tribeca was reported to be costly to maintain, with average annual repair and maintenance costs higher than its competitors.
You can watch this video to learn more about the rumored comeback of the Subaru Tribeca: 54sPoloToYouTube · Nov 11, 2024
Is Subaru making a new Tribeca?
The Increased ground clearance of the vehicle enhances its off-road capability and adaptability to various terrains. The design features basic yet curved doors that give an aerodynamic.
What replaced the Subaru Tribeca?
At the 2017 LA Auto Show, Subaru revealed the Subaru Ascent, a new mid-size, crossover SUV, set to be the replacement for the Tribeca in North America in Summer 2018.
