The new-for-2006 Tribeca is Subaru’s first true midsize SUV. And considering how long it took for them to bring out this one, it should have been much better. It is cramped with a mediocre driving position, and has a noisy and underpowered engine at a price point that would not even allow the optional tiny third row seat to be added within the set price range for this group. It rides and handles well and has excellent interior quality, but it is not the well-rounded SUV that Subaru should have had time to create.

The Tribeca has a comfortable, though rather firm ride. It generally absorbs road imperfections well, but larger bumps are clearly felt, and it lacks control on poor pavement. This firmness helps it handle well, it is responsive in cornering with well-controlled body roll. However, it feels more “highly competent” than “fun to drive.” The steering is well-weighted, accurate, and responsive, and it provides adequate feedback. A 3.0-liter 6-cylinder shared with the Subaru Outback is the only available engine, and while it does fine in that use, it is inadequate for the much larger Tribeca. It feels strained under any acceleration, and is particularly overworked at highway passing. A coarse growl accompanies acceleration, but the engine is generally smooth and quiet under other circumstances. Wind noise is inaudible, but road noise appears quickly on rough pavement. Fuel economy is at least good for this class, the tradeoff from the lack of power.

Inside, the Tribeca’s firm, supportive front seats are quite comfortable overall, though they could be higher. The rear is a bit low, but the long cushion helps its support. However, a sharper seat angle would be necessary to prevent taller occupants from sitting knees-up due to a lack of foot space beneath the low front seats, despite the seat’s 8-inch fore/aft adjustment, which diminishes cargo space and, when included, the already-insufficient third row seat space. The high-quality interior looks upscale with a tasteful yet elegant design and well-chosen materials that fit together very well. Some instruments are a stretch from the driver’s seat around the curved instrument panel, but the gauges are large and clear. Drivers sit comfortably, though taller drivers will need to sacrifice some leg space to comfortably reach the steering wheel, an issue that could be solved by a telescoping function. Rearward visibility is impeded by thick roof pillars and a small windshield, and drivers don’t ride high enough to get a typical SUV-like forward view. Front-seat entry/exit is facilitated by the low ride height and large door openings, but the smaller rear footwell complicates matters there. Getting to the available third row seat is also quite difficult. There is not abundant cargo space behind the rear seat (and literally no usable space behind the optional third row), especially with the seat moved back for more legroom, nor a huge amount with the rear folded.

The Tribeca did very well in NHTSA crash testing, earning the maximum five stars for both the driver and for the front passenger in the frontal test, and the maximum five stars for both the driver and for the rear passenger in the side test. NHTSA has yet to evaluate the vehicle’s rollover resistance, and the IIHS has not evaluated its offset crash performance or its head restraints.

The Tribeca reviewed here came in at $30,392 adequately equipped, though without the available third row seat, a $1,500 option that would have put the vehicle out of this group’s price range. It includes stability control, torso and curtain-style side airbags, a sunroof, automatic climate control, and power front seats, but such options as heated leather seats and a 6-disc CD changer are only offered on higher end versions.

Overall, the Tribeca is not as good of a vehicle as it ought to be. It has its strong points, but doesn’t stand out in any unique way except for its styling. And engine power and interior space are decidedly lacking. The pricing is fair enough if you can do without the $1,500 third row seat, which offers very little space in or behind it, and the Tribeca drives well and has a very nice interior. But its flaws leave no reason to buy the Tribeca over one of the other vehicles in this group that drive well and have nice interiors.