Oddball styling ...

Jason Dawe The Sunday Times

If you fancy standing out from the crowd, then a used Tribeca may fit the bill. If you can live with oddball styling.

The Subaru B9 Tribeca is far from being a pretty car, and its name — that of a ritzy neighbourhood in Manhattan — doesn’t suit it at all. Thanks to the ravages of depreciation, though, it is now beginning to look like a good go-anywhere, carry-anything family holdall.

Launched in the UK in November 2006, the Tribeca had already proven to be something of a hit in North America, where its combination of practicality (it can be bought with seven seats) and pricing made it an attractive alternative to top-notch European 4x4s such as the BMW X5 and Volvo XC90. UK consumers proved a tougher crowd to win over, though. Unlike the gas-guzzling US market, the British one demands diesel SUVs, and without a diesel-powered engine in the range, the Tribeca didn’t stand much of a chance against cheaper alternatives from Citroën, Ford, Peugeot, Renault and Vauxhall.

As quietly as the Tribeca appeared in UK showrooms, so too it vanished in mid-2009 with barely a murmur. After three years of faltering sales, the company’s flagship model was consigned to the UK car market’s history books. Clearly, that was far from great news for the few who bought a new Tribeca, but today those shopping for a well-built, distinctive SUV at sensible money — from £12,000 — may find it holds more appeal.

But before you go thinking that’s a lot of car for not a lot of money, consider the running costs.