2001 Mazda Tribute ES-V6

There’s nothing like going into a vehicle evaluation with a guilty conscience. That’s precisely my case with this brand new Mazda Tribute ES-V6. It all began when I wrote about the Ford Escape, which shares a platform and engineering with this Tribute. Somehow I got the idea that the Tribute only came with the 4-cylinder engine and not the optional Ford Duratec V6 like the Escape. Well, I was wrong, wrong, wrong. And rest assured I have been sufficiently flogged by Mazda dealers, savvy readers and, last but certainly not least, my editors. Funny, no Ford dealers complained.
Mazda made certain I would henceforth have my facts straight on this, however, by providing me with a V6-equipped Tribute in the flesh. Mine was a two-wheel drive model, dressed out in top-of-the-line trim. This marks the first time Mazda has been in the SUV race since the demise in ’94 of the Navajo, which was basically a two-door Explorer rebadged for Mazda.

Fortunately for me, the new Tribute ES-V6’s assets are arguably a cut above. Otherwise, you might think my impressions here were just the work of a guilty conscience.

THE GOOD NEWS
As mentioned, the Escape and Tribute share platform, engines and a lot more. Only equipment and some styling changes differentiate the two. But Mazda is credited with most of the engineering. The mission was to create a roomier, more responsive, more substantial SUV for the compact market. If you have driven much of what’s out there in this class, you’ll know there was plenty of room for improvement.

Mazda hands us all that and more with this V6-equipped Tribute. It takes off with authority and offers enough reserve power for higher speed. Its handling is likewise tuned for sport, and the ride – independently suspended – feels firm, but not stiff. Mazda bills this Tribute as the “the sports sedan of SUVs.” Normally, such ad hype is questionable. In this case, however, it fits.

The aforementioned twin cam 3.0-liter V6 contributes significantly to this feeling. With 200 horses and 198 pound feet of torque, acceleration whips the competition and makes its own four-cylinder sisters seem pretty anemic. The Ford Escape I tested uses the same 2.0-liter 130-horse 4-cylinder engine, so I know first-hand what a big difference there is. The V6 uses an automatic four-speed transmission that handles the power easily. Naturally, this two-wheel drive model will feel more carlike than the four-wheel. But even the four-wheel system, which I tested in the Escape, allows for the Tribute to operate in front-wheel drive most of the time. Hence, the driver doesn’t get any of that heavy, uneven steering that sometimes accompanies full-time all-wheel-drive. What’s more, this Tribute ES-V6’s performance is only part of its success. Inside, you’ll find more room than Toyota’s RAV4, Honda’s CR-V and even some models in the pricier SUV class. The backseat gets no complaints for a change, and if you should perchance hear any, tell your passengers to lie down and be quiet. The backseats not only fold forward for extra rear cargo space, they also recline independently.

Mazda also adds really upscale touches not normally evident throughout the compact SUV class. My fancy champagne-colored ES had really silky beige leather interior, a leather-covered steering wheel, a power moonroof and a six-way power driver’s seat adjustment. I don’t see this level of quality elsewhere in the competition.

THE BAD NEWS
As much as I like this 200-horsepower potential, lurching from stop to go nearly took my head off more than once. Even after I had the chance to get used to it, this nervous accelerator didn’t favor the easy start. Mazda needs to do a little fine-tuning here. I also really dislike the fact that only the driver’s door accepts a key for locking/unlocking. Most people use the remote locking device these days, so it’s usually not an issue. But mine was missing its fob, so it was a large nuisance.

GAS MILEAGE
EPA rated at 18 mpg city/24 highway

PRICE
Manufacturer’s base, $21,825;
As tested, $24, 275

IS IT WORTH IT?
Of all the compact sport utilities I’ve tested, this Mazda Tribute is my favorite. I love how both luxurious and substantial it feels versus so many others in its class that come off as thin, overly light and basic-economy inside. Its exterior lines are bold but not contrived rugged, its interior space is delightfully comfortable and its performance is peppy to a fault.

It’s not cheap as compact SUVs go, but neither is anything about it cheap. I may owe this Tribute ES-V6 my apologies for shorting it a couple of cylinders a while back, but it certainly owes no apologies. Period.