2013 Subaru Tribeca Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Despite lackluster sales and abundant rumors that the Tribeca wasn't going to last much longer, Subaru's lone 3-row offering continues into 2013. This is a feat in and of itself given the rumors, but the new version will have very minor changes. A brake override system is standard equipment for 2013, dampening engine output when both the throttle and brake pedals are engaged, and other than that Subaru isn't saying much more about the future of this midsize people-hauler.
Despite the fact Subaru is not saying anything more, the company has said enough to indicate at least the functionality of the Tribeca is in Subaru's intended future. A Subaru spokesperson was reportedly quoted at a car show emphasizing the company's dedication to providing a 7-passenger vehicle, and a rumored partnership between Subaru and Toyota has finally been confirmed, adding fuel to the furnace. Whether the Tribeca will continue in name is still a question, but it seems all but certain the next-generation Tribeca will be nothing like the 2013. Instead, the next 7-passenger Subaru is most likely to be a re-badged 2014 Toyota Highlander—a mixing of breeds that leaves brand fans with mixed feelings.
Although these rumors are already 2 years in the making, there's still nothing in the way of spy shots, testing or previews. That isn't really very surprising, since Toyota is the one making it, but that also leaves fans wondering if Subaru intends to take a year off between Tribecas. The current 3.6-liter horizontally opposed 6-cylinder "boxer-6," so much a hallmark of Subaru, is expected to carry over to the new Tribeca, and this makes some problems for Toyota's V6 and Hybrid mountings. If that's the only problem, then it could be out "on time," but usually switching out an engine entails a little more than new brackets—time will be the only teller here. Either way, the 2013 Tribeca is your last chance to get a purebred Subaru for 7 with tried-and-true dynamics.
That said, this Tribeca isn't exactly problem-free. The side-curtain airbags don't cover the third row, something that has more than a few drivers concerned. The steering wheel tilts but doesn't telescope out, and sometimes fuel economy drops below the advertised rates. Otherwise the Tribeca may not be the beefiest SUV, ponying up 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, but 8.3 seconds to 60 mph isn't too shabby, with confident throttle response from its manually shiftable 5-speed automatic. The Tribeca's rated to get 16 mpg city/21 highway. Typical of Subaru, every Tribeca has all-wheel drive, sending 55% of its power to the rear wheels until the system notices a need to shift power distribution.
For now, Subaru offers 3 Tribeca trims differentiated by feature content: the 3.6R Premium, 3.6R Limited and 3.6R Touring. At its Premium base you can expect features like 18-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, rear privacy glass, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear controls, heated powered front seats, reclining 40/20/40-split second row and a 50/50-split third row. The Limited antes up with leather upholstery, driver memory, Bluetooth connectivity and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system upgrade, and moving up to the Touring notably adds special wheels, HID headlights, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, sunroof, roof rails and a rear-view camera. Only the Premium is left out on getting some of those features and a few others as options.
User reviews for 2013 Subaru Tribeca
Write a review2013 Subaru Tribeca Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Third row side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 385 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.3 · Front brake width: 1.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.4 · Rear brake width: 0.71 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: metallic · Dash trim: metallic · Door trim: metallic · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Easy entry: manual rear seat · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.58 · Limited slip differential: rear · Locking differential: rear · Transfer Case: electronic
Engine
Alternator: 110 amps
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: black · Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: two tone · Grille color: grey · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3 · Number of third row headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point · Third row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Third row headrests: adjustable · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Spare Tire
Mount Location: underbody · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 18.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.40
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Third Row Seat
Type: 50-50 split bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: variable intermittent
