Arriving late to a party is fashionable. Arriving late to a party that is winding down could be embarrassing, socially and politically. Arriving late to a party that is winding down without emphatic apologies and a lovely gift for the host ensures that you won't be invited ever again.

Subaru is arriving to the luxury crossover party late, without anything special to distinguish itself, and wearing a garish bowtie. Nevertheless, the company hopes that the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca, a seven-seat SUV that is designed to compete against segment stalwarts like the Acura MDX and Lexus RX 330, will convince consumers to part with significant chunks of their disposable income.