2005 TRIBUTE

For 2005, the Tribute like its near-mirror twin gets a makeover inside and out. It, too, features a new four-cylinder power plant, a retooled automatic and a new four- wheel on-demand drive system. Its automatic gearshift lever is now floor-mounted instead of column-mounted, and automatic transmission is available with the four-cylinder model for the first time.

Interior and cargo area

The Tribute is easy to enter, both in front and at the rear, but its side step bars are dangerous, not to mention useless (the vehicle isn’t high enough to require them), so that it’s easy to get dirty, or trip (or both) on the way out. Thankfully, the step bars are optional. The front seats are very comfortable, and the driving position is excellent. Adjustable lumbar support is not available in GX trim. As there are no roof gutters, there is nothing to prevent water or snow from falling on you, or the seat, when you open a door.

Getting out from the back is more difficult than getting in because there’s not too much foot room between the B-pillar and the bottom of the seat. The benchseat is comfortable enough, and provides more than ample head- and legroom. Both cushion and back are in a 60/40 split-fold design. By removing and stowing the head restraints under the front seat, the cushions can be raised to fold the seatbacks flat to the floor. The seatbacks incline to at least five different angles.

Access to the roomy cargo area is by lifting either the top glass section or the entire gate. Liftover is low even though the spare wheel lodges in a well under the floor.

Convenience and safety

Fit, finish and materials are good quality. With the soundproofing improvements made this year, the Tribute isn’t as noisy as previous models—but there’s still room for improvement, in the area of road noise, among others. The many storage compartments include a cavernous central console. The cupholder design is less successful, however: only two sizes of beverage container will fit. And on the subject of size, we noted that the Tribute has a bigger windshield washer tank than the Escape; it holds 4.5 litres of fluid vs. 2.6 litres for the Ford.

Instruments and controls are well laid out. At night, however, a number of controls are not lit. The heating system warms up quickly and provides lots of heat. The fan has only three speeds, the first a bit too high. Rather than just pushing a button to re-circulate the air, you have to turn the fan control the other way, which is an unnecessary complication.

The Tribute’s roof rails, unlike the Escape’s, are perforated to allow things to be attached more securely. However, the rails should continue a bit more towards the front.

The Tribute has dual front air bags. Air curtains are standard in the GS and GT models. Visibility in all directions is quite good, except towards the rear, where it is hindered by the three rear- bench headrests. All of the vehicle’s head restraints are lockable and can be raised high enough for taller people, except the rear-centre restraint, which is lower. The power window controls are toggle switches that are pressed in one direction to open a window and in the other to close it. They are not childproof, and little ones could get an arm caught, or worse, if they accidentally trigger a switch. Headlight intensity is good.

Engine and transmission

Two engines are available: the new Mazda 2.3-litre four-cylinder, and a modified version of the Taurus’s 3.0-litre Duratec V6. Offering 153 hp and 152 lb-ft of torque, the four- cylinder does a fine job with the Tribute. It is smoother than the original engine, and it is only when downshifting at high speed that it feels less powerful than the V6. Obviously, the V6 does a better job of towing. Both acceleration and downshifting with the V6 are lively and very responsive. It propels the vehicle with ease under all circumstances, but fuel consumption is high.

The automatic transmission—the only gearbox available with the V6—generally shifts very smoothly, although it engages fourth gear too soon. The four-wheel-drive system directs torque to the rear wheels when a front wheel slips by as little as one-eighth of a turn. It is quick and practically undetectable.

On the road

The fully independent suspension is a bit more compliant in the Tribute than it is in the Escape. It provides a very smooth ride with just a hint of firmness. Ground clearance is not very high, which is part of the reason why the Tribute is not made for heavy off-road use. Roadholding is good, but the rear-end seems to want to fishtail in avoidance manoeuvres. The suspension provides some welcome road feel and conveys the sense of a fairly robust vehicle.

The power steering is very well calibrated and it, too, transmits a bit of road feel. It is also stable and quick, with a normal turning circle. Braking is powerful and fade-resistant.

Our examination at a CAA-Quebec Technical Inspection Centre revealed that the Tribute is well assembled. Protection is lacking, however, for the radiator bottom, and several joints and portions of joints on the undercarriage are unsealed. There are also three 15- cm-x-20-cm holes below the front bumper, which leave the radiator and other components vulnerable to all manner of debris—one more reason not to venture off-road. The Tribute remains a relatively sturdy performer, but not one you’ll be able to break new trails with.

Conclusion

With the improvements made this year, the Tribute becomes more balanced and more fun to drive under all conditions. The new four-cylinder engine delivers the nicest surprise, as its performance is a good match for the vehicle. Because its suspension is a bit more compliant than the Escape’s, the Tribute may prove attractive to another type of customer.

FOR: Spaciousness, good engines, smooth automatic transmission, pleasant steering, versatility, road behaviour.

AGAINST: Soundproofing could be better, power window controls require redesign, large holes in front bumper, high fuel consumption with the V6, lack of lighting for some controls, fan has only 3 speeds.

2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE

Engine: 16-valve 2.3-litre 4-cyl.; 24-valve 3.0-litre V6 Horsepower: 153 hp @ 5,800 rpm; 200 hp @ 6,000 rpm Torque: 152 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm; 193 lb-ft @ 4,850 rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic Suspension: fully independent Brakes: disc/drum (4–wheel disc with V6) Length: 442.9 cm Width: 182.8 cm Height: 172 cm (177.9 cm with roof rack) Wheelbase: 262 cm Weight: 1,443 to 1,579 kg Tires: P235/70R16 Maximum towing capacity: 1,588 kg Airbags: Front dual standard. Standard air curtains with GS and GT trim.

Fuel consumption (2.3-litre engine, automatic transmission and 4X4 version): - Transport Canada rating: city: 12.7 L/100 km (22 mpg); highway: 9.9 L/100 km (29 mpg) - Test result: 12.3 L/100 km (23 mpg)

Fuel tank capacity: 62 litres

Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 11 seconds 60–100 km/h: 8 seconds

Competition: Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson, Jeep Liberty, Mitsubishi Outlander, X-Trail, Saturn VUE, Subaru Forester, Grand Vitara, RAV4

Warranty - Full basic coverage: 3 years/80,000 km - Powertrain: 3 years/80,000 km - Surface corrosion: 3 years/80,000 km - Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited km - Emission control system: 3 years/80,000 km full coverage; 8 years/128,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module and onboard diagnostic device)

Factory replacement parts Rear bumper: $481 Front brake disk: $87 Brake pads: $109 Muffler: $235 Front fender: $281

Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, male or female driver 30 to 40 years old): $1,008 to $1,556

Price according to trim line 2WD GX: $24,395 (manual gearbox) 2WD GX V6: $26,595 2WD GS V6: $29,195 4WD GX: $28,195 4WD GX V6: $29,395 4WD GS V6: $31,895 4WD GT V6: $34,895

Main options Convenience package: $795 Sport package: $2,295 Convenience package and two-tone package: $1,495

Price as tested: $29,690 (4WD GX); $34,895 (GT)

Freight and preparation: $1,684

Dealers: Quebec: 53 Canada: 159

© CAA-Quebec, November 2004.