Style, Power, Amenities, Comfort: all top of the line

Gear Shift Handle (a common complaint), Interior Lighting (quite minimal at night)

My wife and I ordered our Tribute in late October and finally got it last week. While the delays in delivery were disappointing, the vehicle itself is excellent. The dollar value is above average when compared to the other SUV's and what they offer for their prices. Just about everything about this car, from the outside to the inside is great. Heads turn as we drive down our neighborhood streets. The 6 disk CD player is very cool and the sound quality is quite good. Just like every review I've read, the gear shifter is kind of annoying but you get used to it real quick. I haven't had enough to time to comment on mileage yet.

The ride is smooth and quiet and I just love the way it accelerates out on the highway. The rear seats recline a bit for those in the back who want to snooze. There's plenty of leg room in the front and rear. We're expecting our first baby next month and also have a big dog. We feel there's enough room for everyone inside (compared to how cramped it would be in our other car, a Honda Accord)

What else can I say? The Mazda Tribute is a great car! Test Drive one today!

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Toyota 4Runner, Nissan XTerra, PT Cruiser

Power; the v6 seems to have ample power for highway speeds as well as riding up to the ski slopes. The style is agressinve yet conservative. I like the auto 4WD better than I thought I would.

Not enough interior lighting. Poor shifter design.

I thought I wanted an Xterra, but my wife liked the Tribute ...guess who won. I really couldn't be happier. The Tribute gives a comfortable ride and has the traction when I need it. Unlike some of you true 4x4 off roaders, I bought the 4x4 for the traction in the snow ( on the highway, ski slopes, and around town). After owning a few front wheel drive cars, I think the 4x4 option is worth every penny.

I would definitely recommend this vehicle. I have read some complaints about poor gas mileage; I'm getting 24 highway and 19-20 city. I thought this was pretty good for a V6 and 4WD? We have had about 24+ inches of snow to-date and this machine is awesome! Four wheeling it to the ski slopes is easy and fun. I have 3600 miles, and have only been back to the dealer for an oil change ( and a complimentary wash). We like this machine so much, I'm thinking about buying another.

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I've owned a Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, VW Jetta. I test drove a Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Xterra, and Nissan Pathfinder. I found the Tribute to be the best value.

handling. price. room.

i hope someone lost their job for the transmission-arm/radio obstruction

i live in vancouver and quickly realized that my integra was not going to get me back and forth to whistler reliably enough to keep my job. the choices of reasonably powerful, roomy and safe 4wd small suvs was disapointing and left me considering overspending for a lexus. i went to the auto show in feb-2000 and waited patiently for the tribute.
ride, comfort, mileage and handling have been awesome. very secure on sea-to-sky under all conditions. plenty of cargo space. i smile at the lexus drivers knowing that the twenty grand (cdn) i saved will buy me a lot of lift tickets in the future.

large interior space compare to the size of the car( including large rear seat space and cargo space) reclining rear seat, tailgate window opens separetely from tailgate( really cool to have for the price) ,V6 POWER

the fact there is 4-cylinder version of this car. nothing else...zoom zoom zoom

some people say Ford Escape, others say Mazda Tribute. Basically they share same platform, and Engine(Ford engine). Difference is that Escape is made in US, where Tribute is made in Hiroshima, Japan. I don't know which one is better, but the fact is that Escape has more recalls than Tribute so far. But such things always happen to new modeled vehicles. I chose Tribute because of it's luxury look(some people misunderstand this car with Mercedes M class), and less confusing pricing with options. This is my first time to own Mazda car, and I used to own Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Trooper, and Wrangler. This one beats every one of them:mileage, management of interior space, handling, etc... and i must admit that this one really drives like a sedan which is a tough thing to do with SUVs. No wonder this car's philosophy is "Soul of a Sports Car" not to mention, i love the way cup holder comes out for the rear seat.

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not only compact SUVs, but all mid size sports utility cars, because this one can beat many of them in so many ways.

Looks, price, room

That shifter, garage door opener holder too small and cannot use, wind noise, rattles and creaks in tailgate, tire noise at low speeds..it's STILL A FORD!

Nice vehicle for the money but Ford still hasn't been able to figure out how to really build and desing an automobile-after almost 100 years!It's a good looking vehicle and muine gets good gas mileage. I have put close to 9,000 miles on it and my only real complaints, besides the sloppy Ford ergonomics, would be the rattles and squeaks in the vehicle. Otherwise, I like it and think it's a great alternative o the many "monstor" suv's out there!

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We had a Honda CRV in 98 and it was not a good vehicle. This is better although the rattles and all should not be happening!

pick-up, comfort, elegant leather interior - feel like a princess! A smooth ride, wonderful sound system, LOVE the safety of perimiter alarm and anti-theft feature. I bought this day before yesterday "used" with 6,000 miles. It's a blessing in every respect. Can't rave enough.

I haven't found any as yet. Road and wind noise doesn't bother me, nor does the shift on the steering column.The mileage could be better, but coming from a Rav4, it feels like my pumpkin has turned into a golden coach!The only major weakness is finding one - I was told it would be a 6 month wait if I ordered one, so I grabbed this one when it came in. My only regret is that it has a sunroof and I'm worried it might leak - anyone have any problems with this feature??

So far so good. I feel it's a huge amount of luxury and safety,(mine has front and side airbags & ABS) for the money. I called a neutral auto mechanic and friend here to get his opinion and he said "this car (Mazda) is the best kept secret around and is going to leave Toyota in the dust, I see them come in here at 300,000 miles still going strong - get it now before the price goes up". It is just SOOOOO much fun to drive - I keep thinking of excuses to run yet one more errand. It's my mid-life crisis car and I look forward to growing old in it!

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from a Toyota Tercel, Camry and Rav4 - this Tribute outclasses all of them.

Roomy (even for tall people in the back seat), handling (well-balanced, no 'bobbling'), appearance, very 'open' feeling when driving, horsepower (V6), leather seats a must! There is no denying this is a great value in an automobile.

Have had to replace the catalytic converter and rear windshield wiper motor. Transmission can jump a little when passing at high speeds (70 mph). There is some annoying windnoise at this speed also. When they say a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood can fit in the back, they mean EXACTLY. Be prepared to cover with a blanket so you don't scratch up the inside!

This vehicle suited our needs perfectly. Something that wasn't a road hog and not a 'teeny-bopper' vehicle, yet accomodated our child, our dog and my wife and I. Good short distance traveler, appealing looks, nice pep. Will be nice to have this SUV even after it loses it's newness and/or another kid comes along. It didn't break the bank and I don't believe there is another SUV in this class out there with this many options for this price - even after 3 months research. Mazda did it right by lowering the price to break in to the market and it worked. Bet the '02's will be pricier. I feel like I'm driving in the same class as the Mercedes the way Mazda laid out their design. Mazda remembered you can still get a 'family' vehicle that was made to have fun in! Happy car shopping!

- very sure feel of steering (tight, precise)
- good stability at high speed (80mph)
- very roomy, enough rear legroom for 6' guy like me
- wide comfortable center armrest
- nice exterior looks and comfortable seats
- interior fittings are ok (sort of ford taurus-ish)
but the radio/CD player looks like a cheapo one.

- the inner door handles are a disgrace, one snap
and they will fall off looks like
- engine is too noisy under acceleration & even otherwise
at high speed 70-80mph (tested a LX V-6)
- Most bad point: The WIND & ROAD NOISE AT 70mph is simply
UNBEARABLE. I think they should issue ear-plugs as
standard kit. The sales guy tried to pass it off by
suggesting that I keep the radio turned on, that 4WD drive
vehicles are more noisy blah blah...but coming from a
toyota car, it was way too noisy in there. This has to be
improved.
- dont know how it will handle snow, tested on sunny dry highway.

Overall its a good platform & excellent value for the price,
but I really cant live with the excessive noise esp. on long
drives and my commute (stressful anyway).....the engine noise
also needs to be more muted like in V6 cars. These problems
are fixable and dont need much investment, just proper study
and insulation. Hopefully Ford will fix them in the 2002 model
year...

I will wait and watch if they satisfy my concerns, else I will
not buy this baby , cheap though it is.

Am considering the 4Runner 2wd with traction control (should
be enough to deal with highway snow which is the worst I face).
have to order one without any options to escape the huge toyota
option ripoffs.

nissan exterra is only other thing in 24-25K range and I dont
consider it very well made and lacking in rear legroom.

might have to go for a accord Ex-V6 or the odyssey instead.

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None

Engine.
design
Cargo capacity
Price

Shifter column
Gas mileage
Uncomforable seats for tall people. The styeering wheel is too close to the dash, so when I push the seat all the way back, my arms are fully extended to reach the steering wheel. Thus, I'm forced to pull the seat forward, which cramps my legs. I also find the the seattends to slope down a bit towards the front. These are minor quibbles though since my girlfriend - shorter than I - does not find any of this a problem

@ days I've been driving it. I'm 6"4 not great for tall men. Handles well. Gfood power. Great price!

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Santa Fe, Xterra, Chrysler mini van

Acceleration, comfort, handling, sound, view of the road ...and best of all ... the price!

Gear shift a location took some getting use to, no light near slot for key but have memorized location. Road noise at high speeds but I get that in my Voyager as well. Stereo overcomes it.

Negotiated deal over Internet and received a fair price from rep (Mac McIntire www.mazdasouth.com). DFW dealers wanted MSRP or higher. Already have 1500 miles on it and averaging 21MPG. Driving it is a pure joy. Great acceleration, classy to look at (much more than the Escape), roomy for my 6'4" frame, fantstic sound system, and love the power seat and moon roof. Special ordered on 4/16 and received it June 1 in immaculate condition. Have had no complaints since.

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Test drove: Toyota RAV4 ... great but too small; Kia ... cheap, cheap, cheap; Suziki Rodeo ... as cheap as the Kia; Honda CRV ... no comparison; Subaru Forrester ... nice but too low to the ground and $$$$; Chevy Tracker ... nice but way too small; Nissan Xterra ... lousy mileage.