2009 Subaru Tribeca Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008
Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
16 City / 21 HWY
Source FuelEconomy.gov
Horsepower
256
Seats
5 -7
Front angle medium view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Randee W
It's a very safe vehicle family friendly and fuel efficient it handles very nicely like ur driving on a cloud
Headlight goes out every three months other than that I love everything about my subaru
accountCircle Daphne L
The Tribeca has been reliable and is great to drive.
The Tribeca is great for traveling as it provides room for me to transport items I sell online including some of the equipment I use. The all-wheel drive feature has served me well during the winter when traveling in snow. Maintenance of the vehicle has been primarily routine with only a few minor replacements needed.
accountCircle Mallory S
It gets us where we need to go in one piece, and in good gas mileage
It's old and still running great. I love that it is all wheel drive as it handles very well in the snow, but I hate that we need to replace all four tires at one time. I love that it is ten years old and still worth money
accountCircle Stephanie B
Subaru Tribeca; bring it back.
The only dislike I have with my Subaru is there are no heating vents in the rear of the vehicle, very inconvenient in the winter time. I have owned it for 140,,000 miles with one complete tune up some new tires and replacement of front pass side cv joint. Regular oil changes, very low maintenance on a great performing vehicle always a ton of power. A comfortable family ride for 5 plus dog for vacation or just a day at the park.
accountCircle Rick C
Excellent vehicle to buy. Dependable. Low maintenance. Good gas mileage.
Mine is a 2008. Excellent vehicle. Few repairs. Great gas mileage.
accountCircle Colleen E
Subaru is a very trusted brand that contributes to many charities.
The size and height is perfect for my dogs and winter conditions. It is a very comfortable interior and I love the style. The gas mileage could be better.
accountCircle Megs F
Safe and reliable transportation but costly to repair
It drives nice. The repairs are very expensive though. Also gas mileage is not as good. But I feel very very safe in it esp with my kiddo
accountCircle Jennifer B
My car is extremely reliable and I feel very safe in my Subaru.
I like the safety of my vehicle and it's reliability - it has lasted for so many years with hardly any problems. I love the interior design and comfort of my Tribeca. Even though it is an SUV, it rides really smooth.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Frances G
SUV all wheel drive, good for families, third row option available.
Bought the car used. Runs well since we've had it. We have had a few maintenance issues but it was mostly due to it being a used vehicle.

Subaru Tribeca Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

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5-Pass
256 HP 18 MPG 5 Seats
car
7-Pass
256 HP 18 MPG 7 Seats
car
5-Pass Special Edition
256 HP 18 MPG 5 Seats
car
7-Pass Special Edition
256 HP 18 MPG 7 Seats
car
5-Pass Ltd
256 HP 18 MPG 5 Seats
car
7-Pass Ltd
256 HP 18 MPG 7 Seats
car
5-Pass Ltd w/Nav
256 HP 18 MPG 5 Seats
car
7-Pass Ltd w/Nav
256 HP 18 MPG 7 Seats
car
7-Pass Ltd w/DVD/Nav
256 HP 18 MPG 7 Seats
Photos may not match model

2009 Subaru Tribeca Owner Reviews

4.58
26 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 62%
4 stars 35%
3 stars 4%
2 stars 0%
1 star 0%
accountCircle Terri R on February 22, 2021
Subaru Tribeca, an all around good car for suburbia with an urban name
Really comfortable vehicle although the third row seating is useless unless you're under 10 years old. We've had some issues with the car using oil. It is ten years old so probably expected. I just replaced the window switches on the driver side door. Also probably to be expected from a ten year old vehicle. I have a half hour commute to work every day and find that the A/C is very strong in the summer and handles very well in the winter weather.
accountCircle Rebecca P on February 6, 2021
It is very very drivable.
Like: three banks of seats, compact size, engine is great. Do not like: the front seat design, the backseat air conditioning system.
View All Reviews (26) chevronRightAlternative

Pros from Owners

likeFilled Rebecca P.

Great, speedy little engine. Compact enough to back up with confidence and still have 7 passengers. Great family vehicle. Subaru quality and safety. Absolutely fabulous in the snow, even better than the Subaru legacy and outback! Climbs snowy and icy hills like they are nothing.

likeFilled Joanne L.

I really do not have any cons. The car drives well it is good looking performs well on turns and has great acceleration. It is a six cylinder that does well on gas mileage. This is my third Subaru and I really like the design of the interior.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled Rebecca P.

I am not a fan of the front console. It can feel a little claustrophobic even in the front seats. The back seats are great for kids and car seats, but not roomy enough for adults (minimal legroom). There's something screwy about the rear air. I think it may be only ac, no heat. Not great for a 4wd vehicle. Also does not have a separate temperature knob of its own...

dislikeFilled Joanne L.

I did have to replace the radiator at 110000 other then that I have not had any real problems with it. I also wish it had ac vents for the back seat. It would help to keep the back seat passengers more comfortable.

Ranks #4 Midsize SUV by Owners

The 2009 Subaru Tribeca has an average owner rating of 4.58 out of 5 which ranks it #4 of 25 other Midsize SUVs.

1
car
2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser
5
2
car
2009 Toyota 4Runner
4.69
3
car
2009 Honda Pilot
4.64
4
car
2009 Subaru Tribeca
4.58

Ranks #6 Midsize SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2009 Subaru Tribeca has a combined MPG of 23 which ranks it #6 of 25 other Midsize SUVs.

1
Tie
car
2009 Toyota Venza
26 MPG
1
Tie
car
2009 Subaru Outback
26 MPG
6
Tie
car
2009 Subaru Tribeca
21 MPG

Is The 2009 Subaru Tribeca A Good Car?

Yes. It is engine is full of zip. It is reliable and does spectacularly in snowy, mountain driving. The back seats are not roomy, but it does hold 7 people and yet is not bulky to drive.
Rebecca P.
Yes, it's h6 engine is awesome and I love the third Bank of seats. It's also smaller than most SUVs so it's easier to maneuver
Keta C.
The Subaru Tribeca is a good vehicle. It is a good family vehicle with lots of cargo and passenger space.
Kyle H.

How Reliable Is The 2009 Subaru Tribeca?

We bought ours used, but we've had it for 2+ years now and have had zero problems with it - and it is over 10 years old with 120k+ miles on it. I take it on three long distance road trips each year... Read More
Rebecca P.
We haven't come across any as yet. So yes, it's reliable. The AC vents are easily breakable, but can be fixed with gorilla glue
Jasmine L.
We have had no problems with our Tribeca- it is reliable and dependable. It gives Subaru a good name.
Kelley S.

Is The 2009 Subaru Tribeca A Good Value?

We bought ours used with hail damage 2+ years ago for around 10k. We still think we got a real bargain!
Rebecca P.
We got ours used for 10k in 2017. It had hail damage or it would have been more like 14k. It's worth it for the Subaru 4wd system. Great snow vehicle. And the third bank of seats
Jae O.
We bought our Subaru Tribeca at a great value for the mileage. We were able to stay under our budget and still get a great vehicle.
Jennifer E.

Related Articles for 2009 Subaru Tribeca

From the Vehicle History blog

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Subaru Tribeca Problems To Add To Your List Of Worries

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety