Families need compact SUVs. This category is mostly filled with vehicles that offer plenty of room for two or three kids, that can load up enough groceries for a week and that can get through the snowy season with relative ease. And they also must not cost a fortune, because if you have small kids like me, you know how much it costs to keep them happy.
On all those counts, the Tribute fares well. Basically a kissing cousin of the Ford Escape but with a few changes, it provides Mazda with an affordable SUV offering. Last year we reviewed the base 4-cylinder model and liked it. What about the top-of-the-line GT?
We think the Tribute’s shape is just right; with its square jaw, svelte proportions and high ride height, it sports rugged good looks. Between the Tribute and the Escape, we’d say it’s a toss-up; one is no more attractive than the other.
Since 2009, Ford’s aging 3.0-litre V6 produces 240 horsepower and 223 lb-ft of torque; that’s 40 more ponies than in 2008, so it provides more hustle and makes passing less challenging. Fuel consumption is obviously higher with the V6, and our average of 13.1 L/100 km isn’t impressive. On a Montreal/Toronto round trip, however, the truck’s average was 10.7 L/100 km.
The engine is noisy, though. At full throttle, it belches out a satisfying growl, but the rest of the time, including while idling, its grumbling infiltrates the cabin. The 6-speed automatic does a good job of precipitating upshifts so the engine doesn’t overrev needlessly. At a steady 100 km/h, the V6 is spinning at 1,900 rpm.
The Tribute benefits from a spacious interior, and by flipping up the rear seat cushion before folding down the backrests, a 1,877-litre cargo hold is created, which is about mid-pack within the compact SUV category.
The front seats proved comfortable on our long-distance trip, but they don’t seem a little overstuffed; together with a minimum of lateral support and a fair amount of body roll (although ride quality is quite good), we’re holding on quite a bit on circular off-ramps. We prefer the cloth seats in the GX and GS models.
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| We think the Tribute’s shape is just right; with its square jaw, svelte proportions and high ride height. |
On all those counts, the Tribute fares well. Basically a kissing cousin of the Ford Escape but with a few changes, it provides Mazda with an affordable SUV offering. Last year we reviewed the base 4-cylinder model and liked it. What about the top-of-the-line GT?
We think the Tribute’s shape is just right; with its square jaw, svelte proportions and high ride height, it sports rugged good looks. Between the Tribute and the Escape, we’d say it’s a toss-up; one is no more attractive than the other.
Since 2009, Ford’s aging 3.0-litre V6 produces 240 horsepower and 223 lb-ft of torque; that’s 40 more ponies than in 2008, so it provides more hustle and makes passing less challenging. Fuel consumption is obviously higher with the V6, and our average of 13.1 L/100 km isn’t impressive. On a Montreal/Toronto round trip, however, the truck’s average was 10.7 L/100 km.
The engine is noisy, though. At full throttle, it belches out a satisfying growl, but the rest of the time, including while idling, its grumbling infiltrates the cabin. The 6-speed automatic does a good job of precipitating upshifts so the engine doesn’t overrev needlessly. At a steady 100 km/h, the V6 is spinning at 1,900 rpm.
The Tribute benefits from a spacious interior, and by flipping up the rear seat cushion before folding down the backrests, a 1,877-litre cargo hold is created, which is about mid-pack within the compact SUV category.
The front seats proved comfortable on our long-distance trip, but they don’t seem a little overstuffed; together with a minimum of lateral support and a fair amount of body roll (although ride quality is quite good), we’re holding on quite a bit on circular off-ramps. We prefer the cloth seats in the GX and GS models.
 |
| The Tribute benefits from a spacious interior, and by flipping up the rear seat cushion before folding down the backrests, a 1,877-litre cargo hold is created. |