2001 Mazda Tribute Review

Mazda finally has returned to the sport-utility market with its new compact Tribute. It's been on the sidelines while that market has boomed because its last sport-ute was the larger Ford Explorer-based Navajo two-door that was dropped in 1994.

Mazda, which builds the popular Miata sports car, says the 2001 Tribute sport-utility vehicle has "the soul of a sports car." That's a stetch, but the 2001 Tribute is plenty sporty by sport-ute standards--especially with its V-6.

The Tribute is fun to drive and far more practical than a sports car. It has impressive cargo room, especially with its back seat entirely folded forward. It's tall enough to carry bicycles upright.

Major rivals are the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, which dominate the small sport-ute market but come only with a four-cylinder engine. The 2-liter four in those trucks has 16 to 18 more horsepower than the Tribute's 2-liter 130-horsepower four. But the Tribute's 3-liter, 200-horsepower V-6 easily outmuscles the CR-V and RAV4.

Mazda is controlled by Ford, so the nicely built Tribute is very similar to the new Ford Escape sport-ute. Mazda did most of the engineering work, and both vehicles share a Mazda-designed platform. They also share Ford en

gines modified by Mazda and are built in a Ford plant in Missouri.

The Tribute has smoother styling than the more rugged-looking Escape. The Tribute also has a different dashboard, steering wheel, controls and front seats.

The Tribute's long wheelbase and wide stance make it look good and help provide above-average stability. It looks sportier than the tough-looking Escape. And it feels a little sportier, with slightly tighter steering and handling. It's different enough to make it worthwhile for potential buyers to examine both vehicles.

The Tribute comes with front- or four-wheel drive and in base DX, mid-range LX and top-line ES trim levels. The DX is pretty well equipped, while the LX adds items such as cruise control, remote keyless entry and split-folding rear seat. The ES has items such as leather upholstery.

Front-drive model base prices range from $17,005 to $21,825, while four-wheel-drive models go from $18,705 to $23,025.

There's a good number of options, which include anti-lock brakes, side air bags, power sunroof and a premium audio system.

The Tribute is roughly the size of a CR-V, but is 4.6 inches shorter and several inches wider. Four tall adults easily fit. The Tribute's generous width--about the same as a mid-size Ford Explorer--allow a third rear occupant, but the rear seat center is too stiff for comfort for anything but short trips.

The Tribute has quick steering, a firm all-independent suspension that contributes to sharp handling, supple ride and easily modulated brake pedal. The anti-lock brake system varies the amount of rear braking according to the vehicle load for surer stops.

The Escape does well during light to moderate off-road driving, but forget the really rough stuff; there's no low-range gearing to get you out of trouble during serious off-road driving, and the tires are mainly for on-road driving.

But the four-wheel-drive system is a good one. It works as an automatic on-demand system, switching from front- to four-wheel drive when the front wheels slip. And it also functions as an on-command system, with the driver deciding when to lock in four-wheel drive by pushing a button. The transition from front- to four-wheel drive is seamless.

The four-cylinder comes only with a five-speed manual transmission to wring the most performance from it. But the V-6 is the way to go because the Tribute is fairly heavy, ranging from 3,091 to 3,455 pounds. The V-6 is optional for the DX, but standard in LX and ES models.

The V-6 comes only with a responsive four-speed automatic transmission that has quick kickdown response and provides fast 65-75 mph passing maneuvers.

Fuel economy is decent, with the four-cylinder delivering an estimated 23 mpg in the city and 28 on highways, and the V-6 providing 18 and 24.

Getting in calls for more effort than in some small sport-utes, but grip handles on inside windshield posts help. Outside door handles are hefty.

The quiet, airy interior is comfortable, with supportive seats, easily read gauges and decent controls. However, the awkwardly long steering-column-mounted automatic transmission shift lever blocks radio controls. And cupholders in the front console are too low.

Nice touches include indentations in the interior of the rear hatch that allow it to be closed without getting hands dirty on outside sheet metal.

The underhood area is nicely laid out, with easily reached fluid filler areas, but the hood is held open with an old-fashioned prop.

While late to the sport-ute party, the Tribute seems worth the wait.