Before the Ascent, Subaru Took a Chance on Something Completely Different

Some Subaru models become legends. Others become cult classics. And then there are vehicles like the Subaru Tribeca - a vehicle that may not have been fully appreciated during its time, but helped Subaru learn what American families wanted from a larger SUV.

For this week's #ThrowbackThursday, Grand Subaru is looking back at one of the most distinctive vehicles Subaru has ever produced: the B9 Tribeca.

Whether you loved that original grille or wondered what Subaru was thinking, one thing is certain: nobody was going to mistake a B9 Tribeca for anything else.

It Started as the B9X

Before there was a Tribeca, Subaru previewed its idea for a larger crossover with the B9X concept in 2004. The production vehicle made its worldwide debut in early 2005 and arrived for the 2006 model year as the Subaru B9 Tribeca.

The Tribeca was manufactured in the United States at Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana, and vehicles were supplied to markets including the United States, Canada, Australia and Chile.

There was also a reason behind that unusual name. The "B" was part of a proposed Subaru naming strategy tied to its BOXER-engine identity, while "Tribeca" referenced the New York City neighborhood and the style, art and culture associated with the name. Subaru ultimately moved away from the broader B-number naming idea, but the Tribeca name survived.

Subaru's First Three-Row SUV

Today, seeing a Subaru with three rows of seating isn't unusual. The Ascent has made the idea familiar. In 2006, however, the Tribeca was new territory.

The B9 Tribeca became Subaru's large crossover offering and was available with seating for up to seven passengers, giving Subaru shoppers a family-oriented option while retaining the brand's BOXER-engine layout and all-wheel-drive capability.

2006 B9 Tribeca Highlights

• 3.0-liter EZ30 horizontally opposed six-cylinder BOXER engine
• 250 horsepower
• 5-speed automatic transmission
• All-wheel drive
• Available 5- or 7-passenger configurations
• Available navigation and rear-seat entertainment
• Built in Lafayette, Indiana

That naturally aspirated six-cylinder BOXER engine was especially notable. While four-cylinder BOXER engines have long been associated with Subaru, the Tribeca delivered the smoothness and character of a horizontally opposed six-cylinder.

And Then There Was That Grille...

We can't tell the story of the original Tribeca without talking about it: that grille.

The early B9 Tribeca featured a dramatic three-section, roughly triangular front grille as part of an aviation-inspired design theme. Combined with its rounded bodywork, it gave the Tribeca one of the most recognizable faces of any Subaru.

It was also controversial. Some people liked the futuristic appearance. Others definitely did not. Automotive reviewers were not shy about reacting to it.

But looking back, there is something refreshing about it. Subaru wasn't trying to make the Tribeca look like every other SUV in the parking lot. Subaru took a swing.

More than two decades later, that original B9 Tribeca is arguably more visually distinctive than many crossovers from the same era.

Subaru Changed Course Quickly

Subaru listened to the response. The Tribeca was slightly revised for the 2007 model year, including changes to the grille, suspension tuning and available technology.

The much bigger transformation arrived for 2008. The controversial original front end disappeared, and so did the "B9" identifier. From that point forward, it was simply the Subaru Tribeca.

The redesigned exterior featured a more conventional grille, revised headlights and changes at the rear. Inside, the second-row seating was redesigned to provide more room and easier access to the third row.

2008: More BOXER Power

For 2008, Subaru replaced the original 3.0-liter engine with the larger 3.6-liter EZ36 flat-six BOXER engine. Output increased to 256 horsepower.

The larger engine also brought an everyday convenience improvement: the updated Tribeca could use regular-grade gasoline, while the earlier 2006 and 2007 models called for premium fuel.

So while the exterior became more conventional, underneath the Tribeca was evolving into a more practical family crossover.

Technology That Felt Pretty Advanced in the Mid-2000s

It's easy to forget how different vehicle technology looked around 2006.

There was no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and smartphones had not yet become the center of everyday life.

Against that backdrop, the Tribeca offered technology that felt upscale for the era, including available navigation, a backup camera and parking assistance, XM Satellite Radio, iPod connectivity on later early models, and rear-seat entertainment.

Seven-passenger versions also provided flexible second- and third-row seating to balance passenger room and cargo space.

The Subaru That Almost Became a Saab

Now for one of the strangest parts of the Tribeca story.

During the period when General Motors held an ownership stake in Subaru's then-parent company Fuji Heavy Industries, a Saab version related to the Tribeca was planned. It was known as the Saab 9-6X.

The project was cancelled before reaching production after the relationship between the companies changed, leaving the Tribeca as the production vehicle from that chapter of the story.

That's the kind of strange automotive trivia that makes the Tribeca's history even more interesting.

Making the Tribeca Their Own

The Tribeca may have started life as Subaru's family-focused crossover, but some owners have discovered that its unusual shape, all-wheel-drive capability and Subaru DNA make it a surprisingly fun platform to customize.

And this is where the Tribeca starts getting really interesting.

Enthusiasts have taken Tribecas beyond the school-run SUV Subaru originally envisioned. Some owners add suspension lifts and larger all-terrain tires, giving the Tribeca a tougher stance for camping, trails and outdoor adventures. Others outfit them with roof racks, cargo baskets, rooftop tents, auxiliary lighting, skid protection and other overland-style accessories.

Then there are owners who simply lean into what makes the Tribeca different - aftermarket wheels, upgraded suspension components, custom exterior details and personalized interior setups.

From Family Crossover to Adventure Rig

A lifted Tribeca on chunky all-terrain tires can look like an entirely different vehicle. Its rounded body suddenly looks more rugged, while a roof basket or cargo carrier adds adventure attitude. The Tribeca's Subaru all-wheel-drive system gives owners a capable starting point for creating something unique.

It also fits perfectly with something Subaru owners have been doing for decades: taking a Subaru and making it their Subaru.

From lifted Outbacks and Foresters to rally-inspired Imprezas and customized Crosstreks, personalization has long been part of Subaru enthusiast culture. The Tribeca is no exception. Because customized Tribecas aren't something you see every day, a thoughtfully modified example can stand out even more.

The Tribeca's Second Life

That's part of what makes the Tribeca more interesting today than it may have seemed when it was new. What was once simply Subaru's unusual three-row crossover can become a weekend adventure vehicle, camping rig, light overland build or completely unique Subaru project.

Lift it. Give it some bigger tires. Add a roof rack. Load up the camping gear.

And suddenly that quirky old Tribeca has an entirely different personality.

Maybe the Tribeca wasn't strange after all. Maybe it was just waiting for Subaru enthusiasts to get their hands on it.

From Tribeca to Ascent

Several years later, Subaru returned to the three-row SUV market with the Ascent, a vehicle developed specifically around the needs of North American families.

The Ascent was larger and roomier, but the Tribeca had already helped establish an important idea: Subaru customers could want the brand's BOXER engineering, all-wheel-drive capability, safety and versatility in a vehicle capable of carrying a larger family.

B9 Tribeca -> Tribeca -> Ascent

The execution evolved. The idea survived.

A Subaru Oddball Worth Remembering

Was the Tribeca perfect? No.

Was that original grille for everyone? Definitely not.

But that's exactly why the Tribeca deserves a place in Subaru history. It came from an era when Subaru was experimenting with what the brand could become. It introduced Subaru buyers to an available three-row crossover, offered a six-cylinder BOXER engine, was built in Indiana and wasn't afraid to look completely different from everything around it.

Today, spotting an original B9 Tribeca on the road has become increasingly uncommon. And when you see one, you know exactly what it is.