Subaru has enjoyed a new-found popularity in the 21st century, and not just among People for the Advancement of Vowels. The company’s top-of-the-line sport utility vehicle, the B9 Tribeca, has earned a five-star government crash-test rating and boasts a head-turning design. The Tribeca shares a (modified) platform with the popular Outback and Legacy, but has a longer wheelbase and wider track. Plus, this new-for-’06 SUV has a considerably stiffer structure than its predecessors, which means increased torsional rigidity -- in other words, this is a safe, sturdy car. Standard safety features include front and side airbags, plus four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. The all-wheel-drive is as reliable on muddy terrain as it is on well-paved city streets, and Subaru’s renowned Variable Torque Distribution and Vehicle Dynamics Control systems combine to provide superior traction. And if you’d like to put the “S” in SUV, by all means go for it: The Tribeca’s underside allows for eight-and-a-half inches of ground clearance, and the 250-horsepower, 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine provides plenty of get-up-and-go (no matter where you’re going).

But the Tribeca’s strengths don’t just lie in its brawny build; this is also a uniquely designed, eye-catching automobile. The distinctive, aerodynamic front grill plays off of Subaru’s heritage as an aircraft-builder, and the large windows provide great visibility on all sides (but be sure to cover them if you park the car outside during the summer months, or you’ll be in for a super-toasty surprise when you get back in). The interior is just as nice as the exterior, and quite luxuriously appointed. The clear-view, electronic gauge cluster makes the Tribeca easy to pilot, and the recessed instrument panel utilizes large graphics (a navigation system is also available, as is a factory-installed DVD entertainment system).

The B9 Tribeca is available as a five- or seven-passenger vehicle. Whichever version you choose, you and your passengers will ride easy in reclinable seats; plus, the Tribeca’s high seating provides an excellent view of the road. Got a lot of stuff to lug around? No problem: The back row of seating folds down to make storage a snap. And whether you’re driving five kids to a birthday party, taking your pals to the lake or cruising to dinner with a date, everyone will ride in comfort, thanks to dual-zone heating and air-conditioning and the factory-installed air-filtration system.

The 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca carries a base sticker price of $30,695, with the Tribeca Limited starting at $32,295. For more information, direct your browser to www.subaru.com. And for a test drive of this fun, upscale SUV, direct yourself to a St. Louis-area Subaru dealer.