Design While traveling along the north coast of California, we got mixed reactions from other drivers on the exterior design. Most were more than curious to find out that this car was the new Subaru, either taken or taken aback by the unique design.

While traveling along the north coast of California, we got mixed reactions from other drivers on the exterior design. Most were more than curious to find out that this car was the new Subaru, either taken or taken aback by the unique design. The exterior design can best be described as interesting, and it is only a suggestion of what you will experience behind the wheel of the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca.

We’d guess that the “B9” portion of this crossover’s name will be dropped, because this car is anything but benign. Subaru representatives claim that the front-end resembles an aircraft; the large oval center grille is likened to the fuselage and the horizontal openings with their center chrome bar on either side are the wings. To our eyes, it was reminiscent of an Alfa Romeo, long gone from these shores. In all respects, however, this is a unique design and will insure that you will not see yourself coming and going in a cookie cutter vehicle.

As distinctive as the B9 Tribeca may be, it may come as a surprise to learn that this is the first Subaru to be developed, designed and built in the United States. So, this design cannot be blamed on, nor credited to, the Japanese design group, it was all done here in the USA.

Inside, the front passenger compartment follows a modern theme with elements you might find in the Jetsons’ flying car. The dashboard flows into each front door panel, arching across from the bulging center console. The styling gives the interior a dual-cockpit arrangement. Heavy application of brushed metal trim continues the aircraft theme, but it isn’t obtrusive. In fact it rings with quality.

A large 7-inch LCD screen used for the navigation unit dominates the center of the dash. And if you tick off the box for the optional DVD player you get a roof mounted 9-inch screen for rear seat passengers. Rarely seen is the ability to watch the DVD movie on both front and rear screens, but the front display shows a movie only when the B9 Tribeca is stopped and the emergency brake is applied.