- suv 85,468
- 6,995 overpriced
- Salem, OR
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- autoshopper.com
2003 mazda tribute review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Room and zoom at affordable prices. introductionit's a well-worn cliche, but the mazda tribute really puts some sport in sport-utility. Mazda and ford worked jointly on developing the mazda tribute and ford escape, and together they outclass the other small utilities, at least on dry pavement. mazda tribute delivers an excellent value for people who want the image and versatility of a sport-utility, coupled with refinement and better on-road handling than truck-based utilities can offer. tribute es, the top model, comes loaded with leather seating, a six-disc in-dash cd player and other luxury features. A 60/40 split rear seat replaces the one-piece folding rear seat found in the dx. side airbags and anti-lock brakes (abs) are standard on es. A six-way power driver's seat, standard on es, is optional on lx for $250. . walkaroundmazda tribute has an aggressive look due to its forward-tilted stance, short overhangs and wide track. Thick bumpers, side cladding and wheel lip moldings smoothly integrated into the bodywork convey a sense of stability and refined ruggedness. Large multi-reflector headlamps with clear lenses and rear combination lamps with crystal lenses add a sporty dash. A two-tone color scheme and minimal use of chrome create a clean appearance. The tribute is aerodynamically superior to several of its competitors. mazda tribute's external dimensions are comparable to those of the jeep liberty and honda cr-v. They are comfortable and of higher quality than those found in many suvs. The same is true of the tribute's rear bench seat. But as in many small sport-utilities, the tribute's rear-side windows do not roll down all the way. the second-row seat folds down, revealing a flat cargo floor and nearly 64 cubic feet of cargo space. The glass does not have to be closed when opening the rear hatch. A 12-volt power outlet is located in the rear of the cargo compartment. radio controls are easy to use, and the heating, air conditioning and ventilation controls are simple. Cruise controls are mounted on the steering wheel. The instrument panel is straightforward and easy to read. New for 2003 is a two-tone color scheme for the instrument panel, in either gray or beige. The center panel is finished in brushed aluminum in the dx and lx, and with faux carbon fiber in the es. noise, vibration and harshness levels are low when underway. Visibility in all directions is very good. The shape of the tribute's hood combines with its seating position to allow the driver to clearly see both front corners of the vehicle, an advantage over the honda cr-v. Narrow a-pillars (front) and d-pillars (rear) minimize blind spots. The low bottom edge of the rear window maximizes visibility, and there's no spare tire hanging off the liftgate to block the view. leather seating surfaces and a six-way power driver's seat are standard on the es model. Mazda is using different leather for 2003 and says that it's softer than before. . driving impressionthe mazda tribute is an agile and powerful little suv. It handles better than other sport-utilities. Its sharp steering allows the driver to guide it precisely. At high speeds, the tribute is supremely stable. Handling response is relatively taut, without that mushiness that characterizes suvs with big off-road tires and long-travel suspensions. Tribute handles better on the road than a jeep liberty, and it's more fun to drive than a honda cr-v or toyota rav4. steering response is direct and accurate without a big dead spot in the center. There's enough feeling in the steering to impart a sense of control. The tires provide respectable grip in paved corners. Similar in design to the duratec v6 used in the ford taurus, this specially tuned 200-horsepower engine gives the tribute a distinctive advantage in performance over the other small utilities. It isn't the smoothest v6 on the market, nor is it the roughest. The transmission shifts smoothly up and down, appropriately for the situation. A broad power band means the engine never lugs or strains. Mazda tuned the transmission for slightly more aggressive shifting and mapped it for quicker acceleration than in the ford escape. Properly equipped, the tribute can tow trailers up to 3500 pounds, which covers lightweight ski boats, atvs, snowmobiles, and small boats. the tribute is more than capable of heading down remote two-tracks on trout fishing excursions. It is not offer off-road capability, however. The jeep liberty is better for that. Though it performs well on primitive unpaved roads, the tribute is not intended as an off-road vehicle. There is no traction control system, nor is there a low-range set of gears. On some models, a switch allows the driver to lock the torque split 50/50, which is useful when driving off road or on snow-covered roads. smooth and responsive, the brakes do a good job of slowing the tribute down in a hurry. On the road, it is more sophisticated than the nissan xterra, isuzu rodeo, mitsubishi montero sport, or suzuki vitara. And it costs less than a similarly equipped xterra. Power Windows✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ Heated Seats✔ Bucket Seats✔ Cruise Control✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Air Conditioning✔ CD Player✔ Alloy Wheels
6,995 Salem, ORSalem, OR at autoshopper.com