Subaru B9

[RJB]

Much better looking than the other Tribeca's before this, and of course the powertrain improvements help too!

http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?...E/70402013/1062

[Intrepidation]

It's not a hideous/goofy smily retard anymore! It looks pretty good now...

...except it now looks like a Santa Fe.

[bostonspider]

When looking at this refresh, I think that Subaru ended up using the tooling and design for the changes originally put forth by Saab for their stillborn version of this car, especially the headlights and rear 3/4 window.

Edited April 3, 2007 by bostonspider

[Drew Dowdell]

it gets a solid "eh" from me. It's no longer unique.... not even in a bad way. Now I could mistake it for being a crossover from any asian company

[the_yellow_dart]

Chrysler grille anyone?

Edited April 3, 2007 by the_yellow_dart

[Intrepidation]

The rear-end looks a lot better too.This is a fairly estensive makerover...even the rear windows behind the rear doors are different.

Edited April 3, 2007 by Dodgefan

[PurdueGuy]

booooring. I kinda liked how the old one was different, even if it was weird.

[CSpec]

Chrysler grille anyone?

That's what I immediately thought of as well.

[CSpec]

When looking at this refresh, I think that Subaru ended up using the tooling and design for the changes originally put forth by Saab for their stillborn version of this car, especially the headlights and rear 3/4 window.

Hmm, good snooping. I think you may be right.

[andy82471]

Is the 3.6 liter borrowed from GM ? Or an in house design ? The design looks pretty bland IMO. Really doesn't stand out from other CUV in any meaningful way. But at least it looks decent unlike the Tribeca.

[mjdecker]

The old one with the edsel grill grew on me.. this just boring.

And the rear.. well..

and I'm sure I'll get flamed for this one

[Drew Dowdell]

Is the 3.6 liter borrowed from GM ? Or an in house design ? The design looks pretty bland IMO. Really doesn't stand out from other CUV in any meaningful way. But at least it looks decent unlike the Tribeca.

it's a subi engine.... I'm sure it's a flat 6

[Drew Dowdell]

The old one with the edsel grill grew on me.. this just boring.

And the rear.. well..

and I'm sure I'll get flamed for this one

Not a flame... but the Buick is definitely more cohesive of the three...

[Northstar]

New T&C front and everything else looks like the Santa Fe, more or less.

[arumage]

Not a flame... but the Buick is definitely more cohesive of the three...

It's also the most expensive being that the Enclave starts at $32k without AWD.

[Cory Wolfe]

Looks alot better, but it's sort of plain now.

[Chris_Doane]

Boy, Subaru really seems to have lost their way lately.

This front end is less offensive than the last, yes. But, it's a Chrysler grill?!

[siegen]

Much more pleasing to the eyes, although completely bland now.

[DetroitNut90]

Still ugly, though it's much less hideous.

[AxelTheRed]

Oh...a Subaru. Watch me care.

[2chevs]

Looks like the 08 MCE Tribute in someways.

[jlgolden]

I thought Subaru was trying to establish a "corporate face", but the redesigned Impreza and Tribeca share no cues. This Tribeca revision is far better than the weird snout on the '07, but it has now lost it's identity...just like the Impreza. A disappointment.

[Mach5GTP]

Idiots.

The Tribeca was a truly unique looker, but they folded and went all mainstream vanilla like everybody else. I've lost a lot of respect for Subaru, just when I had fallen for the Legacy GT sedan. I've loved the Tribeca since it came out, and now it's one of the herd. Good luck finding yours in the Kindercare parking lot...

[JT64]

The 9-6X looked much better with the Saab grille.

I hate the Chrysler grille.

Edited April 4, 2007 by JT64

[91z4me]

It's also the most expensive being that the Enclave starts at $32k without AWD.

And one heck of a lot larger w/ a better powertrain and interior.

[AxelTheRed]

I swear, if I could pick just one car company to ship out of America, it'd be Subaru. What a worthless brand.

[Cory Wolfe]

The classic .

[GM4ever]

I like the original design alot better. Subaru also ruined the new face lifted Impreza.

[Dragon]

Idiots.

The Tribeca was a truly unique looker, but they folded and went all mainstream vanilla like everybody else. I've lost a lot of respect for Subaru, just when I had fallen for the Legacy GT sedan. I've loved the Tribeca since it came out, and now it's one of the herd. Good luck finding yours in the Kindercare parking lot...

+0.5

I really didn't like the old design, but I definitely lost some respect for them becuase they blanded it up so much.

Would these changes been in the pipeline before GM sold their shares?

[caddycruiser]

Idiots.

The Tribeca was a truly unique looker, but they folded and went all mainstream vanilla like everybody else. I've lost a lot of respect for Subaru, just when I had fallen for the Legacy GT sedan. I've loved the Tribeca since it came out, and now it's one of the herd. Good luck finding yours in the Kindercare parking lot...

That's fine to say, and a valid point, but when you are begging people to buy them, there's only so much to the "being different because" idea.

At first look, I actually REALLY like the new look, as it keeps the same overall smooth and sculpted aura to it and pleasant size, plus the cool interior and Subie refinement, but now doesn't have the gangly design details like the clumsy--if unique--nose and hideous wheels.

I just find it very attractive now, in a mainstream way, and the engine updates--the other thing it REALLY needed for both power and economy issues--plus other refinements are all a nice refresher. Not to say they won't loose a few sales for people who liked the uniqueness before, but you can't bank on 3 people...and now it will hopefully attract a lot more and be advertised too.

[Paolino]

MUCH better.

[C.H.U.D.]

The front doesn't match the rear. The rear fender scallop and taillights look really out of place. The front is pretty disappointing in its own right. They didn't have to take all of the imagination out.

[toesuf94]

I never thought I would say this...but they RUINED it! At least the old one could not be confused with a Hyundai Santa Fe...The old one was unique and had one of the more interesting interiors in the class.

Edited April 4, 2007 by toesuf94

[!!!TED!!!]

When looking at this refresh, I think that Subaru ended up using the tooling and design for the changes originally put forth by Saab for their stillborn version of this car, especially the headlights and rear 3/4 window.

You hit the nail on the head.

This redesign is just the planned Saab model, minus the grille and some details in the lower bumper. Look at that Saabish windowline. Even the Saab wheels!

Good eye!

[mshu7]

Chrysler grill - Check

Saab/Hyundai taillights - Check

Saab Wheels - Check

Overall bland front-end styling - Check

Slightly less aggressive Camry headlights - Check

[ponchoman49]

it gets a solid "eh" from me. It's no longer unique.... not even in a bad way. Now I could mistake it for being a crossover from any asian company

More and more vehicles are starting to look like Asian clones of each other. Interiors are all black, gray or tan, character lines, fender flares and bodyside moldings and chrome accents are few and far between and the only way to tell what the hell your looking at is the grille or badge and even that doesn't always work. The American car has all but dissappeared with the relentless drive to globilize everything and produce Toyota sales numbers by copying there bland boring styling. It's a shame that with all the wonderful advancements being made in vehicle powertrains/transmisions, suspension technology etc that todays society has almost totaly lost the art of style and color!

Edited April 4, 2007 by ponchoman49

[deftonesfan867]

That's what I immediately thought of as well.

X2

[Intrepidation]

Chrysler grill - Check

Saab/Hyundai taillights - Check

Saab Wheels - Check

Overall bland front-end styling - Check

Slightly less aggressive Camry headlights - Check

The Camry headlighs look nothing like these headlights...remember most headlights have the same overall shape..rectangular.

[lanky9172]

And one heck of a lot larger w/ a better powertrain and interior.

Although I am an avid domestic fan and really dislike the ricers for the most part, I must say that I really like Scooby, I have owned two now in my short driving career, and will most likely get another. THey aren't too expensive, they all have AWD, which in Indiana is nice, AND I can get them with manual trannys. I always wanted an SUV, but then I realized that a wagon was nicer for me because it handles like a car and the fact I can get it with a stick rocks as I HATE autos. Subaru owners are perty loyal, but their product does need A LOT of help and design direction. All the models need some serious updating as their little MCE's are still getting long in the tooth. The Impreza hasn't been overhauled in years. I hate to say this since Toy is like the Evil Empire, but I wish they would take their minority stake in Scooby and infuse some of their capital into Subaru R&D

[Camino LS6]

*Yawn*

[sciguy_0504]

It's a much more cohesive design, IMO, but it has lost it's uniqueness along with most of its ugliness. It's bland now but I think sales will shoot up with some good advertising. At least Subaru changed what was wrong rather quickly instead of leaving it rot on dealer lots for years.

[Cory Wolfe]

It's a much more cohesive design, IMO, but it has lost it's uniqueness along with most of its ugliness. It's bland now but I think sales will shoot up with some good advertising. At least Subaru changed what was wrong rather quickly instead of leaving it rot on dealer lots for years.

Yeah.

Whether you like the direction they went with it or not, the original "unique" one wasn't selling.

[2000GPGT]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

Boring. Nothing more to add.

[regfootball]

this does nothing for me still but the domestics could take a lesson here....subie made big efforts to correct original flaws, in about 2 years onto market. our manuf's trip over themselves and it still takes them 4 years to screw up again on the MCE.

sorry to say, but our carmakers had better get used to being able to make on fly changes in 2 years or less if their new models stumble out of the gate. we shouldn't have to wait 3-4 years to get horsepower in the 500/taurus or still have ot wait to get decent plastic in an equinox, even after a freshening.

Edited April 6, 2007 by regfootball

[tommo]

Reminds me of what fiat did to the multipla

[the_yellow_dart]

wow! that's quite the transformation!!

[Intrepidation]

Reminds me of what fiat did to the multipla

Wow it actually looks like it came from this planet.

[pow]

Saw one yesterday with MFG plates. Looks quite a bit better... but it doesn't really have anything distinctive going for it.

[MyerShift]

I initially got a Chrysler vibe from the new nose, but I had enver realized that Saab's version was technically so far along. The resemblance is quite striking.

[cire]

It looks better, but a lot less distinctive. I was never a fan of the old version's face. It should appeal to a wider audience now that it has been updated cosmetically and upgraded in the powertrain department.

I have seen some of the comparison photos in the other posts on this subject. It's amazing!: Subaru does Chrysler design better than Chrysler. I also think the rear of the Tribeca sort of resembles the new Hyundai Santa Fe.