08 SUBARU TRIBECA -- redesigned, reincarnated The SUBARU Tribeca.  I first had a Subaru back in 1978.  It was a terrific vehicle and I have remembered the dependability and fuel economy many times since then. The TRIBECA is not a new vehicle, but the 2008 model has been redesigned by the Subaru folks to make it better looking, give it more power, and provide better fuel economy.  While always at the currint edge of style, the newest Tribeca has once again ventured into uncharted territories.

The new silouette is striking with a new and more powerful grill, leading what provides an illusion of being a much larger vehicle than it actually is.   I was at the New York Auto Show back in April when this great looking car was unveiled.  They had all the flashy lights and hoop-da-lah as well, but the Tribeca made its own statement.  It has all new fenders, quarter panel design, and an upgraded engine to a 3.6 liter power plant.  This new 6 cylinder, 3.6 Subaru Boxer engine produces 236 horsepower. 

The  TRIBECA has won numerous awards the past couple of years for its outstanding interior, so the design engineers left it pretty much alone for this year.  They did, however, provide rear seat accessibility from both sides, which was a common complaint in the first editions of the Tribeca.

Listed as standard equipment on the Tribeca are front, side, and side-curtain airbags, a five speed automatic transmission with SportShift manual control, and Subaru's Symmetrical All Wheel Drive.  All Wheel Drive is not unique to Subaru, of course, but their Symmetrical All Wheel Drive is special.  It offers lateral balance as well as balance to the front and rear, so that stability is improved and the road grip is improved.  All this for under $30,000.

I like Subaru and I especially like the new Tribeca.  Check it out for yourself at your Subaru dealership. 

(by ALAN GELL, www.CarColumns.Net)