A New Subaru Tribeca Replacement Imminent?
The Subaru Tribeca was a mid sized seven seater crossover with plenty of room and all the pedigree of Subaru behind it. Despite this it was a car that failed to ignite the Australian imagination, it proved to be a poor seller here, and it was withdrawn from sale in 2014. The reason for this lack of success is unclear, but it appears that Subaru went back to the drawing board. The success of the excellent 2016 Subaru Forester has proven that the Australian SUV love affair is still going strong. So, what do we know about this new car and how will Subaru place it in the marketplace?
The Tribeca Replacement Spotted?
Car industry insiders have spotted a large Subaru three row SUV testing alongside a Mazda CX-9 and a Ford Explorer. Unfortunately, the car in question was heavily disguised with a body kit to maintain anonymity. However, the basic body shape did not seem to be a drastic departure from the older Tribeca. The front end seems to have a pair of triangular headlights that are sharper than the Tribeca. Around the rear, there are square LED taillights that look similar to those found on the 2016 Subaru Forester. The front grille has more than a passing resemblance to the one fitted to the Subaru Outback. There is also a large air intake that is located along the bottom of the front fascia.
More Clues Observed?
The overall profile of this new car hints at a car that is very similar in size to the old Tribeca. This would fit with the testing alongside the Ford Explorer and the Mazda CX-9 as they would be the primary rivals in this segment. This prototype was also fitted with a dual exhaust outlet that may have been more camouflaged. However, if this is not the case it does suggest that the 3.6 litre, six cylinder “Boxer” Subaru engine will be used. As a new seven seater, it would be an obvious choice for Subaru to use their new modular architecture. This system will be seen in many future releases, and it will shape Subaru car design for many years to come.
Creating a New Success?
The reason for the failure of the Subaru Tribeca is a bit of a mystery for some car industry insiders. Some reviewers noted that it had a styling ethos that was polarizing for the Australian public. Another common complaint was that the Tribeca had a disappointing interior. On the positive side, many noted that the Tribeca outperformed its competitors in some areas and it had a larger interior. It may be a gross simplification, but it would seem then that the Tribeca replacement only requires a facelift and a more luxurious cabin to compete effectively. This new car is set to debut in 2018, but it will be very interesting to see how the prototype design begins to shape up in the interim.
If you’re looking for a Subaru Forester for sale, contact us at Perth City Subaru. We have a fantastic selection of new and used cars for sale, including the 2016 Subaru Forester. We would like to invite you to join us for a no obligation test drive at your earliest convenience. Our sales team would be happy to advise you on the latest Subaru Forester price and answer any other questions you may have.
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