2001MazdaTributeMazda Tribute2001 Mazda Tribute LX V6 FWDMini-Sport UtilityWagonFWDKansas City, MissouriMazda's first sport-utility vehicle since the departure of the Navajo half a decade ago, the Tribute combines car-like ride and handling with the ability to go in the snow and tote up to five passengers and a healthy amount of their luggage. With the most powerful V6 in its class, in addition to handsome looks and a spacious cabin, the Tribute should find huge success despite an increasingly crowded small-SUV marketplace.Stout V6 power, rugged good looks, roomy cabin, attractive pricing.Weak standard four-cylinder engine, no low-range transfer case.Despite the fact that Tribute shares its platform, drivetrains and basic design elements with the higher-volume Ford Escape, this new Mazda SUV has plenty going for it, enough that it should be able to "escape" the Ford's shadow. Three trim levels are available with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Base DX models have a weak 130-horsepower, four-cylinder engine teamed to a five-speed manual transmission, but the optional 200-horsepower V6 is worth the additional cost. Both motors meet LEV standards. No manual is available with the larger engine, which uses a four-speed automatic to transfer power to the wheels and can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. An option package for the DX includes alloy wheels, dark-tinted glass and a remote keyless entry system. Mid-grade LX and high-end ES models come only with the V6. By selecting the LX, buyers get items included in the DX option package, plus upgraded cloth seats, cruise control, in-dash cassette player, cargo net, alarm system, fog lights, height-adjustable driver's seat, cargo cover and a reclining, split-folding rear seat. Stepping up to ES trim nets leather upholstery, power driver's seat, and an overhead storage console. Not surprisingly, the LX V6 model is expected to be the sales leader. Antilock brakes with electronic brake force distribution are optional on V6 Tributes. A four-wheel independent suspension, unibody construction, all-season radial tires and speed-sensing rack-and-pinion steering all contribute to a car-like driving demeanor on pavement. Despite the availability of an on-demand 4WD system and 8.4 inches of ground clearance, Tribute is not intended for serious bushwhacking use, because it lacks a low-range transfer case. Five people can fit, but Tribute is more comfortable with four aboard. Folding the seats down results in an impressive 65 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which qualifies the Tribute as a mini-SUV, according to our internal definition of such a vehicle. Tribute is likely to be cross-shopped against the Honda CR-V, Jeep Cherokee and Nissan Xterra, as well as the Ford Escape. With the rear seats in use, Tribute offers 17.1 cubic feet of luggage space, more than a BMW X5. Interesting features of the Tribute include available side-impact airbags, a 190-watt sound system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer and a moon roof. Eight exterior colors are available, with DX models featuring gray lower body cladding, and they can be teamed with either a gray or beige interior. Ford plans to sell four times as many Escapes as Mazda will Tributes, despite the fact that the Trib comes with a better warranty package and is arguably more attractive. Here's your chance to own something distinctive in a crowd of look-alike SUVs. 350,000350,000350,0005UnlimitedNANANA63 litersV6200 hp @ 6000 rpm200 ft-lbs. @ 4750 rpm72 cu.ft.NANA173 in.71.9 in.69.9 in.NA103.1 in.37.3 ft.8.4 in.40.4 in.39.2 in.NANANANA41.6 in.36.4 in.5OptionalStandardNot AvailableOptionalNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested16.4 gal.18 mpg / 24 mpg295 mi. / 394 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$19,647$21,0257.35%$540N/A2% of the Base MSRPDX FWD (5M): 2.0L I4 DOHC SMPI 16-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 52-amp battery with rundown protection; 110-amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 4.58 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front torsion springs, front torsion bar, rear independent mulit-link suspension with rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering; front disc/rear drum brakes; vehicle-speed-sensing assist; 15.3 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; liftback rear cargo door; roof rack; front and rear gray bumpers, rear step bumper; gray bodyside cladding, gray rocker panel extensions; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps with delay-off feature; driver's and passenger's power remote black folding outside mirrors; 16" x 6.5" silver styled steel wheels, P215/70SR16 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo w/clock, seek-scan feature, single-disc CD player with 4 speakers,fixed antenna; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, child-safety rear door locks, power remote hatch release, remote fuel door release; 3 power accessory outlets, front lighter element, retained accessory power, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, low washer fluid, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, door ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags; ignition disable; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down function, fixed 1/4 vent windows; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear flip-up window, fixed-interval rear wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with fixed headrests, driver's and passenger's front seats include 4-way adjustment; full-folding rear bench seat; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, full cloth headliner, full carpetfloor covering with carpeted floor mats, chrome interior accents; interior lights include dome light with delay, front reading lights, illuminated entry; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; dual vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; partial floor console, locking glove box, front and rear cupholders, instrument panel covered bin, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo tie downs, cargo light; grille with chrome bar, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding and body-colored door handles.
LX V6 FWD (4A) (in addition to or instead of DX FWD (5M) equipment): 3.0L V6 DOHC SMPI 24-valve engine; 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up converter; 60-amp battery; 16.4 gal. capacity fuel tank; front and rear colored bumpers; colored bodyside cladding, colored fender flares; clearcoat lower accent two-tone paint; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; 16" x 7" silver alloy wheels, P235/70SR16 BSW A/S tires; cruise control with steering wheel controls; remote keyless entry, ignition disable panic alarm; deep tinted windows; driver's seat includes 6-way adjustment; 60/40 folding/reclining rear bench seat with adjustable headrests; center console with covered storage compartment and armrest lid, cargo cover.
ES V6 FWD (4A) (in addition to or instead of LX V6 FWD (4A) equipment): Driver's seat includes 8-way adjustment; leather seats; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment; full overhead console with storage.
4WD (4A/5M) (in addition to or instead of FWD (4A/5M) equipment): Automatic full-time 4 wheel drive, auto-locking hub control and electronic shift.