Ascent vs. Tribeca

I have a Tribeca, it's a great 2-row car, it was too small as a 3-row car. But an Outback was also a great 2-row car. Hell, even a Forester is a great 2-row car. Between a Forester and an Outback, there really wasn't a need for a Tribeca, all 2-row cars.

Also the early B9 Tribeca design was just weirdly designed. I think that original design just soured people's opinion of it, even though the later versions were much more conventional looking.

Yousuf Khan

Note: Never own a Tribeca (and won't be getting an Ascent, either).

Tribeca: 108.2" wheelbase, 189.8" length, 73.9" width Ascent: 113.8" wheelbase, 196.8" length, 76.0" width

The Ascent is longer and wider Ascent to afford more leg and hip room for the 3rd-row passengers. The 3rd row is still cramped. It still strives to be a SUV instead of a minivan. For better 2nd-row seating comfort and access, get the captain's chairs instead of a bench seat which reduces seating capacity from 8 to 7; however, if you have kids and you don't care about adults sitting comfortably in the 2nd row, get a bench. The bench also folds down giving you extended cargo space (so you might not need a ski rack). So far, the only thing I see the Ascent "got right" is about the seating: more leg room for 2nd and 3rd row seats and sliding 2nd-row seats. With the Tribeca, entry to the 3rd row was an obstacle course having to crawl over a corner of the 2nd row seat. The Ascent has sliding 2nd-row seats, so they can be pushed forward for easier 3rd row entry. This is strictly a family SUV, not something you use to haul around a load of adult passengers as a taxi.

Notice how close the 3rd row seats are to the 2nd row seats. The 2nd row seats probably didn't move, so the 3rd row was just for dexterous kids crawling into the 3rd row.

Looks like they tried to put 3 seats (2 regular, one spare in the middle) in the 2nd row. Should've just made the 2nd row seats wider and had just two of them with a fold-down armrest (instead of a sham middle seat with an armrest center). Gotta pack them kids in for the big families. Guess that's what the captain chair option is for.

I've never been a fan of fold-down 3rd row seats: too tight, too flimsy, too hard, less headroom, more and harsher bounce since they're atop the rear wheels - but kids are young and resilient. The complaints in reviews about the Tribeca is the interior is cramped compared to other upscale crossovers. Early models had poor acceleration. It was a mediocre model.

If a family of eight needs to be often riding around in the same vehicle or you're hauling around all adults, a 3-row crossover isn't a good choice. Dump your style-status ego and get a minivan (e.g., Toyota Sienna). You think driving around in a 3-row crossover is really going to fool anyone that you're not hauling your family around? Get a car in the category for its need, not something that salves your ego wishing for the days before your kids. With an oversized family due to lack of control or abhorrence to prophylactics, give up on striving for a /sport/ utility vehicle and get a family van.