I'll Take New York

Driven

JOHN F. KENNEDY JR. lived there. Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, Gwyneth Paltrow, David Letterman and Jon Stewart are just a few of its notable residents. So when, in 2006, Subaru launched the B9 Tribeca——an SUV named for a trendy Manhattan neighborhood home to the artistic elite——I was baffled.

The consistent reliability of Subaru’s all-wheel-drive in rain and snow is well established. The brand means no-nonsense practicality, great resale value, indestructibility and high marks in Consumer Reports, and its safety and reliability is undisputed. Over years the brand has evolved, adding a racy version in the Impreza WRX STI, a rally car for racing enthusiasts, and the Baja turbo version that buzzes over rough terrain like a little tank. The Outback L.L. Bean moniker speaks for itself——think hiking gear and down jackets.

But a Tribeca SUV?

The name implies a luxury brand and an urban environment. Yet this is the largest vehicle Subaru has produced. So, after years of avoiding the seemingly practical——the minivans, family sedans and crossover SUVs——I’m driving my first Subaru. And yes, I’m feeling pretty hip.

The almost-twenty-something valet at Jake’s Del Mar still hasn’t parked my 2007 B9 Tribeca Limited after 20 minutes. From inside, I watch him examining the technology artfully displayed in an eye-catching configuration on the instrument panel. Curious, I walk out to ask what’s so fascinating, and the response is immediate.

“Sorry, just wanted to look at the dash.”

This is where the Tribeca has done a terrific job: with interior design, fit and finish. High-tech upgrades are arranged in a way that looks upscale and creates a lot of value for a suggested retail price of $32,495. With standard features you’d normally pay thousands extra for, it makes a nice package. Both driver and passenger seating seem to be carved into a smooth, oblong cockpit that appears seamless and integrated. The console curves up into the triangular instrument panel in one long, uninterrupted line. The effect is spacious and elegant. The touch-screen navigational system has a rear backup camera integrated above oversize brushed-aluminum knobs for dual climate control, three-way heated seats and a six-CD, in-dash audio system.

For the base price, you not only get all-wheel drive, electronic brake force distribution, a stability control system and a rollover sensor, but also the highest rating possible from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The B9 earns five stars for its front and side airbag systems——and front and rear side-curtain airbags are standard, all contained in a package that looks just a tad German, with its fish-lipped O-shaped grille. My ride is a color dubbed Titanium Silver Metallic, with a special-edition package ($1,295) that includes 18-inch chrome rims, power moonroof and chrome-mesh grille. Aesthetically, it all works.

Under the hood, however, the 245- horsepower engine and five-speed automatic transmission are a bit uninspiring. Acceleration is sluggish at freeway speeds, and passing requires the help of a downshift using the manual-shift option on the five-speed automatic.

Aside from that, the seating positions are comfortable with good visibility, for both my 6-foot-2 passenger and my 5-foot-3 driving position. The rear cargo area is generous and the perfect height for easily loading luggage and groceries. Though not as appealing at freeway speeds as it is around town, the B9 Tribeca does a good job of selling itself as a crossover SUV, worth a look by San Diegans and Manhattanites alike.

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