Interior space, engine power, handling.

A number of small issues with the interior design: 1. Too long automatic
handle gets in the way, no illumination for the ignition key-hole, glove compartment, and mirrors. Rear window ratles and squeaks a lot.

We compared it to the following:
Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape.
First 3 are just too small and underpowered for the same money. We needed a bigger vehicle with more power. Ford Escape being a twin was close, but we could not get it with the features we wanted at the time (4wd + ABS + side airbags). We were offered a better deal ($2000 less) on the Ford, but went with the Tribute for the above features, quality of cloth and the painted cladding.

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It's our first SUV like product in the family. None others would be proper
to compare.

roomy,powerful engine,appearance sharp,smooth drive,price.

needs armrests,gas mileage poor so far,interior lighting ,cannot find keyhole in the dark,rear plate needs bottom holes to correctly fasten a license plate frame.

I have been very pleased so far, I only drive about 5 miles a day on back country roads, I have not driven on any long trips yet.After parking , I have noticed an odor of gasoline near the passenger side front exterior, have not contacted the dealer yet.

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jeep cherokee sport, tribute drives much smoother,handles better also on turns.

Great Power, Great Gas Mileage after 14k miles in 6 months 19 city 24 Hwy with V6

Terrible Tires Wilderness HT could not find themselves in bright sunlight let alone snow or heavy rain, also front suspension has loose feeling as if faulty shocks or too much wheel play(started at 8k miles now 14k and dealers say they don't hear or feel anything wrong.....RIGHT!!!

Best choice vehicle currently offered, just please no more defects and get rid of the tires and replace them with BFG All-Terrian tires, then it will be ZOOM-ZOOM-ZOOM!!!

Please e-mail me if you too have problems or noise in front suspension

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Much nicer in appearance and performance than any other except maybe new Jeep Liberty, even Ford twin can't compare!!

Nice Appearance, sound system

GAS MILEAGE. The 24mpg that this vehicle is supposed to be getting is a joke. We get 14-16. On a recent trip to Monterey we got 16. I wonder if the calculations were done based on traveling 55mph? Mazda needs to address this issue because after reading other reviews, there is obviously a problem. Somehow, I have a feeling were just going to have to live with it.

Other than the mileage, it is a great vehicle. But at $2 a gallon.. We can actually watch the gas gauge move.

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Good looking, Great price for a SUV, roomy

Very bad bad wind noice on driver side, rattles, squeak on tailgate, too many minor defects (Strut suspension, Warning engine light on), very bad mileage (around 15MPG), uncomportable seats and many more ......

Except the price for this SUV, I would not recommend it to others. Felt regret to have purchased this vehicle.

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No way can compare to 4Runner

Good looks, power, roomy, price, quality, features.

Inside lighting is not good, wind noise.

I have had for 10 weeks and have 4000 miles on it. On a 1500 mile trip we averaged 24.5 mpg using a/c. Driving to work it averages 19.5 mpg. So far we have had no problems, not even a rattle.
Wind noise is a nuisance but with the better than average sound system it makes up for it, just turn it up. Inside lighting is a problem. In the dark there is no way to find the key hole or anything on the floor.
Our ES model is not 4wd but has 6 disc cd changer, tow package and abs. We were able to get about $1000.00 off the list price of $23955.
My wife uses this vehicle and loves it, however she came out of a Honda civic so why not.

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None other SUVs used.

Perky - gets up to speed quickly.
Two choices to open hatchback.
Seating is comfortable.
Plenty of cargo room.

Doesn't do corners well...feels lop-sided when turning.
Gas mileage is a joke...ads said 24 to 28 mpg but we are getting only 17 and I drive mostly country roads without alot of "stop-and-go."
For front seats: desparately needs a center arm rest or one attached to the seat.
Was expecting it to ride more car-like as advertised.

Overall, I'd say we got what we paid for.

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Smoother ride than Escape or Outback.

Great price for one of the best SUV's out there

No problem UNTIL 2 days ago when the car shut off by itself - sort of like a short-circuit. I was driving 35 mph, and it shut off???? Anyone else had this issue? Will call dealer and see wasss up.

Gas mileage under 20 is no bad i guess for an SUV medium-size.

Great deal, nice=-looking SUV, and hopefull problem with that one-time suddent shut-off was a fluke. Otherwise, llllllllllluv it.

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big, power, handling, 4wd, 16inch tires

shifter, gas mileage but getting a little better at 8000 miles and with warmer weather, inside lighting, cheap tires when purchased will 25000 miles at best with them.

Did not get the right manual when purchased. Correct one was sent to me by mazda corporate. Told dealer about this and the poor gas mileage but they seemed not to care. Runs good on long trips/highway, but starts to shake a little at high speeds >80mph. Super in snow. Plenty of room for family of four. Much bigger than subaru Forester. Plenty of power.

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Subaru
forester

smooth ride and handling. stereo, seating comfort, breaking, driving in snow.

gear shift and interior lighting

this vehicle by far is the best ride for the value. it dogs the escape in looks and warranty and even the ride. compared to the explorer which is higher priced it is a gem. I can't quite figure out why people would even consider a different vehicle except that it takes a long time to order and recieve. it is well worth the wait if you have the time to kill. word is that the 2002 vehicles are going up $1400 or more and even higher 2003. better get it now.

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