Sleek, sporty look. Perfect size, not too big ~ not too small. Great price range for an mid-size SUV. Roomy, comfortable back seating area.

Poor overhead lighting. No key ignition light.
Have had problems since purchased :(

I have a love-hate relationship with my Tribute. I love the look, the handling...everything that it is. But I fear I have bought one of the lemons out of the bunch!
First day I picked it up the engine light came on. Had to bring back to dealership to have alternator replaced! Plus dealership "forgot" to tell me they hadn't completed the rust proofing and paint protection I had paid for. Got a loaner car for 2 days.
By first oil change engine light was on again. Sensor on order. Two months later I inquire about part on order, they "forgot" to order it.
At 12500km, parking brake light comes on...make an appt to have checked.
Day before appt,it won't start, won't turn over ~ towed to dealership where I wait for 4 hrs. Key re-coded with no explanation as to why this happened or why the parking brake light was on; sensor part on order. Half Day of pay missed!!
Just over a week later, no part yet, truck did not start today; same problem as before. Being the July 1st holiday here in Canada I have to wait until tomorrow morning to tow into dealership. Thank goodness a friend drove me into work today or I would have missed today's pay plus what I will miss tomorrow morning.
It has become very apparrent to me now that I HAVE NOT BOUGHT A MAZDA, BUT HAVE BOUGHT A FORD!!!! Regretting my decision to purchase my tribute as much as I love the truck!

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none

Engine, Appearance, Seats, rear seat fold flat for carrying capacity

Shifter, Tires,

Quick and nimble with good handling after changing to Michelin 255R65-16 Tires. Fuel economy (20mpg)is faily good for the type of driving I do (City/Highway)and the highway only is about 25mpg. Shifter needs to be on the floor and off the column. Some wind noise at higher sppeds and that needs to be addressed with year 2002.

I compared it to the Rav4, Santa Fe, and Ford Escape. As the ford escape is almost the same car, it came down to appearance and the Mazda didn't look like all the Fords do which is almost the same.

Recently I looked into a Liberty and spoke with a mech. at a dealer and he wasn't that impressed. Read ALL the info on the Liberty and you will stay with the Mazda. More bang for the buck.

Three things to replace to get a really great small Sport-Ute, Tires (they are to small), change to a K&N Air Filter, and ISA Shocks from Edlebrock when they come out.

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Grand Cherokee Laredo - Mazda Brakes are superior and would purchase in place of Laredo.

Smooth ride, nice handling. Very spacious for hauling camp gear etc. Nice sound system. Convenient size for parking, etc.

The wind noise is a bit obnoxious, but I agree, crank up the music. Engine indicator light problem.

I have really enjoyed my Tribute. I drove a 4-cylinder Trooper before that so of course any v-6 would feel like a dream. I have taken it on several long trips and felt it was an extremely comfortable ride. Ample interior space - I can fit my 9 foot surfboard inside!!! Unfortunately I now have my first complaint - engine indicator light came on and I will have to drive a rental car until part comes in. Hopefully this is not the sstart of some of the horror stories I read above.

As for indicator light, if it comes on take your car in when you can afford to be without it. They will try and tell you its a loose fuel ccap, etc. but there does seem to be a defect with "emmissions controller?"

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Looked at Nissan xterra but decided it was young males, not a middle aged woman.

Smooth ride, nice handling. Very spacious for hauling camp gear etc. Nice sound system. Convenient size for parking, etc.

The wind noise is a bit obnoxious, but I agree, crank up the music. Engine indicator light problem.

I have really enjoyed my Tribute. I drove a 4-cylinder Trooper before that so of course any v-6 would feel like a dream. I have taken it on several long trips and felt it was an extremely comfortable ride. Ample interior space - I can fit my 9 foot surfboard inside!!! Unfortunately I now have my first complaint - engine indicator light came on and I will have to drive a rental car until part comes in. Hopefully this is not the sstart of some of the horror stories I read above.

As for indicator light, if it comes on take your car in when you can afford to be without it. They will try and tell you its a loose fuel ccap, etc. but there does seem to be a defect with "emmissions controller?"

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Looked at Nissan xterra but decided it was young males, not a middle aged woman.

Have yet to find one other than the sound system... but then again my cd player doesn't work right either!

This is a list that never ends!

Did you say that you wanted to actually drive your car???? Well then don't buy the Tribute because the only place you'll drive it is to the dealership for repair. Since Feb. I have had my Tribute to the shop 12 times The elextronic brain went out at 23 miles. The drive shaft going to the transfer case for 4x4 has been replaced 3 times. The alternator has been replaced and guess what surprise suprise I am off to the dealership tomorrow because the engine light is on... What a piece!!! The gas mileage sucks and if you would like to run your air conditioning and drive don't count on it! It hesitates in traffic and shakes at speeds over 50.

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Nissan X-terra.... Seems really nice and everyone I know that has one loves it...

Nice look, reasonally priced, large cargo space for this size SUV.

Read my overall comments below.

Disappointed and concerned for my safety! My Tribute has a hesitation problem when the engine is cool. There were many times I would pull out into traffic and the car hesitated to go. It has now been in the shop for 35 days and they still don't know how to fix it. I am declaring it a lemon(NC Chapter 20, Article 15A). I think they were too eager to jump on the "Mini" SUV bandwagon. They need to go back and do some more research!

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Honda CRV-more cargo space in Tribute

Smooth ride, great accelleration, lots of power, plenty of cargo room, 190 watt 6 CD sound system sounds great, GAS MILEAGE

I find the drivers seat a little uncomfortable, especially on longer trips. The usual; shifter position isn't great but got used to it in about a day.

My Tribute has been everything I have expected and more. It is my first SUV, so of course I like the space and being up off of the road with great visibility. I had been skeptical after reading some of the reviews, but I have had no problems. The Tribute looks and runs great and has has a truly smooth, almost car-like ride. The premium sound system is great and I love the power moonroof. Despite what I have previously read, my first tank of gas got 25 mpg and that was mostly highway, but some city driving. Friends have all commented on how good the Tribute looks, and that it is "bigger than I expected". I had considered some of the more expensive SUVs like Explorer and Pathfinder, but I can confidently say that I saved some cash and sacrificed very little in return. I love my Tribute.

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Tested Nissan Xterra (uncomfortable), Jeep Cherokee (a box on wheels), Toyota RAV4 (too small). Looked at Honda CRV (ugly) and Ford Escape (cheaper looking interior than Tribute).

Mid size SUV but plenty of room for kids. It has a great get up and go, almost like a skateboard on concrete, handles well on the highway, feels like you're driving a car and not an SUV.

Defective fuel tank, the console is too low causing you not to be able to reach anything while driving, it appears to have thin door panels because you can feel the air blowing through the door handle, and I see that there are recalls on the Tribute. I do not know if these recalls affect my Tribute or not because I have not been notified if they do.

When I first purchased my Tribute I loved it. Six months later, I am not very happy with it. When it rains it leaks on the drivers side, I had a tire blow out and it has been in the service department now for a month waiting for them to replace a defective fuel tank. I guess you get what you pay for! When my husband and I purchased this vehicle we asked the salesperson specifically if there were any recalls on it and he said no. To our surprise there are! Isn't that special! I am really disappointed at this time because I feel like I have purchased something that is always going to give me trouble.

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I drove a used Ford Explorer for 6 years. It had it's bad days but this is a new vehicle that I purchased and paid good money for.

Nice handling, powerful engine

wind noise, gas guzzler

Overall I am happy with the tribute, I am happy with the power and the ride. They need to work on the outside noise and gas mileage on the upcoming models.

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Xterra, Sante Fe

This car has great acceleration, handling, and an awesome sound system (upgraded).

The stupid gear shifter blocks the radio controls, but I know everybody already knows about this!

I got the car brand new. We have had no problems with the car, but the negotiating was another story!

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This is very comprable to the Infiniti Qx4, Nissan Pathfinder, Ford Explorer, and Ford Escape.