2014 Subaru Tribeca

2014 Subaru Tribeca Overview

Is the 2014 Subaru Tribeca a Good Used SUV?

"Good" is a strong word. "Adequate" (maybe even "subpar") is probably a better descriptor of the Subaru Tribeca. Many other vehicles in the midsize SUV class surpass it in terms of cargo space, fuel economy, and passenger space.

The Tribeca features a 256-horsepower six-cylinder engine, a five-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. Engine power is acceptable, but the automatic transmission lags at times. The Tribeca's ride is comfortable, and there's little body roll around corners. This Subaru SUV has a wide turning radius, making it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. The Tribeca earns a fuel economy rating of 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. This is on par with other SUVs that feature six-cylinder engines and all-wheel drive, but it’s low for the class as a whole.

Read more about Tribeca performance »

The 2014 Subaru Tribeca seats seven people. The front seats are roomy and supportive, and the second row has ample space. The third row is a tight squeeze for adults, but that's common for a 3-row SUV. The cabin has a nice look overall, but its material quality is lower than other SUVs in the class.

Standard features in the Tribeca include dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Noteworthy available features include navigation and a rear-seat entertainment system. The audio and climate controls work well. However, the Tribeca's maximum cargo capacity of 74.4 cubic feet is small for a 3-row sport utility vehicle.

Read more about Tribeca interior »

Used 2014 Subaru Tribeca Prices

A used 2014 Tribeca costs around $25,000. Price can fluctuate depending on the vehicle's condition, mileage, and location.

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How Reliable Is the 2014 Subaru Tribeca?

J.D. Power and Associates gives the 2014 Tribeca a reliability rating of three out of five. That's considered average across all vehicles, but many other SUVs in the class have higher reliability ratings.

How Safe Is the Tribeca?

The 2014 Subaru Tribeca has one of the highest safety scores in the class. It received four stars in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) rollover test. It also earned a rating of Good (the highest score possible) in the four tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The Tribeca doesn't offer any notable driver assistance features, but it comes standard with a rearview camera.

See Tribeca safety scores »

Should I Consider Another Used Tribeca?

All Tribeca models are part of the same generation, which began with the 2006 model year and ended with the 2014 model year. Cars from the same generation are generally alike in terms of performance and design, so deciding between them often boils down to features availability and price. 2012, 2013, and 2014 models have similar features lists – though the 2014 Tribeca does have more standard features than the older models, such as a rearview camera. A 2014 model will cost you about $3,800 more than a 2013 and $8,700 more than a 2012. Given that there are no major differences between these model years, consider going with a 2012 or 2013 Tribeca to save some money.

Compare the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Tribeca »

Which Used Subaru Tribeca Is Right for Me?

The 2014 Subaru Tribeca only comes in one trim, so when shopping, it's just a matter of finding one with the features that you want.

You might also consider a certified pre-owned Tribeca. For its certified pre-owned vehicles, Subaru extends the original new-car powertrain warranty to seven years or 100,000 miles. To become certified pre-owned, each vehicle must pass a 152-point inspection. Additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance may be available, so read the Subaru warranty page carefully.

Read more about certified pre-owned vehicles »

We Did the Research for You: 106 Pieces of Data Analyzed

We heavily research the cars on our site so you can feel confident heading to the dealer and making a buying decision. For this 2014 Subaru Tribeca review, we looked at 106 pieces of data, including crash test results, reliability ratings, ownership costs, and other professional reviews.

Why You Can Trust Us

Our team has 75 years' worth of combined experience in the automotive industry, and we've been ranking cars for a decade. To ensure our analyses remain objective, our editorial staff doesn't accept expensive gifts or trips from automakers, and all advertising on our site is handled by a third party.

2014 Subaru Tribeca and Other SUVs to Consider

Which Is Better: 2014 Subaru Tribeca or 2014 Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota Highlander can't match its Subaru rival for safety, but other than that, it's generally better. The Highlander's base four-cylinder engine is more fuel-efficient than the Tribeca's base V6, and the Highlander's V6 is more powerful. The Toyota's cabin features high-end materials and seats up to eight. The third row can fit adults for short trips, and the Highlander has more cargo space. It also offers more driver-assistance features and costs about the same as – or less than – the Tribeca. There's really no contest here; the Toyota Highlander is a better SUV.

Which Is Better: 2014 Subaru Tribeca or 2014 Subaru Forester?

The Subaru Forester is sort of a cross between a car and a sport utility vehicle. It comes with all-wheel drive, but unlike its fellow Subaru, the Forester offers two four-cylinder engines and a choice between a manual and an automatic transmission. It gets much better gas mileage than the Tribeca, and it’s also a capable off-road vehicle. The Forester only seats five, but the interior is well-built and spacious. It offers many more features than the Tribeca, including additional driver assistance options. Despite being a smaller vehicle, the Forester has more total cargo space than the Tribeca. Finally, of these two Subaru vehicles, the Forester has the lower price – by far. Unless you really need more than five seats, the Forester is the better choice.

Compare the Tribeca, Highlander, and Forester »