Vehicle Overview
Ford owns a controlling interest in Mazda, so there's a close kinship between the popular Ford Escape sport utility vehicle and the related Mazda Tribute. Both SUVs were introduced for the 2001 model year and upgraded for 2005. When comparing the two, you'll find subtle styling differences, unique interior features in each and different suspension tuning.
Serving as the sportier member of the pair, the car-based Tribute attracts considerable interest even if its sales totals lag well behind the Escape's. Both models compete against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
New Tribute i and s trim levels replaced the previous DX, LX and ES for 2005. A new 2.3-liter four-cylinder in i models produced 153 horsepower, versus 130 hp in the prior version. For the first time, four-cylinder models could be equipped with an automatic transmission. Little has changed for the 2006 model year.
Front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are available, but the Tribute and Escape aren't considered true offroad machines. Mazda says its intelligent full-time Active Torque Control Coupling four-wheel-drive system reacts faster than a hydraulic unit.
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Cargo
Mazda has done a nice job arranging the CX-7's cargo area. The space measures
29.9 cubic feet with the backseat up and 58.6 cubic feet when it's folded, but
perhaps more importantly, the few intru ...
On the Road
Even with its 20-inch wheels, our Grand Touring rode reasonably comfortably,
but it's a bit firmer than some. With that firmness comes pretty entertaining
handling, with precise steering and a goo ...
Powertrains
Mazda CX-7 facelift now offers customers in Europe two All-Wheel Drive,
powertrains to choose from. New to the line-up is Mazda's new-generation
2.2-litre common-rail turbo diesel that combines hi ...