Less than a year after it was launched here, the Subaru Tribeca has been given an extreme makeover.

The market asked for a bigger engine, so it has now a gutsier 3.6-litre rather than the previous 3.0-litre.

Customers asked for a better looking nose and tail - they've got it. They've even got a few things they didn't ask for.

There has been a marked spike in the level of interest, with sales up 50% over last year's figures. It would have been hard not to get some increase, as let face it, the previous model was butt ugly.

Until the Tribeca came along Subaru had nothing to offer customers that were looking for an SUV. "Even our most loyal customers had no choice but to walk away if they needed the features a SUV offers, like more than five seats," spokesman David Rowley says.

The first Tribeca didn't exactly bring them back in droves, but the new one has a better chance. For a start, it's lost the controversial nose and tail in favour of a much more cohesive look, a look also in keeping with the rest of the family - i.e. the new Forester. The facelift included a streamlined grille, restyled bumpers, bonnet and light clusters and larger three-quarter windows that update the profile - and improve visibility.

Access to the third row in seven-seat versions has been made easier, but otherwise there's little change in the cabin. And really, nothing was needed; with the flowing dash, storage nooks everywhere and quality materials making the previous model a pleasant place to be - until you actually wanted to go somewhere.

But that's been solved with the new engine -Subaru's biggest ever. A new 3.6-litre develops more power, and more torque. That's put to the constant all-wheel drive by a new five-speed automatic with sports and simulated manual modes. Tap your foot and the engine responds happily, press it harder and you even get an enjoyable burble from under the bonnet.

Despite being larger, the engine is lighter, and fuel consumption is posted at 11.6 litres/100km. We managed to achieve around 15.0-litres / 100km which doesn't give you many kms before having to fill the 64 litre tank.

The prices are unchanged from the previous model - $53,990 five-seat base model and an extra $2,000 for the seven-seat option. At that level you get a great fit-out with all the usual suspects plus MP3-compatible audio, dual zone climate control air-conditioning, eight-way power adjusted front seats, touches of leather on the steering wheel and gear shifter, touch-screen sat nav and reversing camera. We had the Premium spec gets memory on the driver's seat and heating to the front seats, leather upholstery, electric sunroof, roof rails and rear seat DVD with wireless headphones and remote control.

And the standard safety list is five-star comprehensive, including dual front, side and curtain airbags, rollover sensor, xenon headlights, traction control and anti-skid brakes with assisting systems for hard and panic braking.

Only the steering really lets it down with a lack of feedback that leaves you feeling no connection at all to what's happening on the road. Minor issues are the lack of bolstering on the seats, and while there are generous door bins and what seems to be a crowd of cup holders, the glove box is next to useless.

But overall, this is now an enjoyable drive, rather than a tedious one. Subaru finally has the SUV it needed.

AUTO FACTS

PRICE: $53,990 - $60,990
ENGINE: 3.6-litre six-cylinder petrol
TRANSMISSION: five-speed automatic
POWER: 190kW, 250Nm
SEATS: five or seven
FUEL: 11.6

By ANDREW KOCH