2017 Subaru Tribeca — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2017 Subaru Tribeca

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $29,739–$39,376
Fuel Economy 14 MPG
Seating 8 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $3,750/yr

Key Specifications — 2017 Subaru Tribeca

Seating Capacity8 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$29,739–$39,376

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2017 Subaru Tribeca

With an overall Carivo score of 6.9/10, the 2017 Subaru Tribeca earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 7.7/10, while Technology at 5.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.7/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 7.5/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.3/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 5.7/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $29,739–$39,376, 14 MPG, seating 8, the Subaru Tribeca sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value lands at 7.0/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Bottom line: There's a case for the 2017 Subaru Tribeca, but it needs the right buyer. Its performance and technology scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2017 Subaru Tribeca ranks #2137 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 13% of the segment. Its 6.9/10 overall score is 0.5 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $29,739 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 18%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Tribeca Year Should You Buy?

Across the Tribeca model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2017 (this review) 6.9/10$29,739
2016 7.0/10$28,610 Read review →
2015 7.0/10$27,480 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2017 Subaru Tribeca

✓ What it does well

  • Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Infotainment and tech features feel dated compared to newer rivals in this segment
  • Fuel economy at 14 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

More Subaru Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Subaru models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.