Driving Impressions
In its previous form, the Tribute drew mixed reactions, but its sporty nature earned high marks. Tributes are quieter than they used to be, and energetic V-6 throttle response is satisfying. Automatic-transmission shifts are barely noticeable, and downshifts for passing and merging come swiftly.
Steering with a somewhat light touch, the Tribute handles adeptly. Occasionally, a floating sensation makes the driver feel less than fully connected to the highway.
Ride comfort is pleasing, but wavy pavement produces substantial up-and-down motion. The Tribute exhibits no raucous behavior and copes handily with bumps and holes.
See also:
Firm Ride
Despite losing much of the performance the turbocharged model offers, the
CX-7 with the base four-cylinder still has sporty handling for a small
crossover. This has its pros and cons.
On the plu ...
Mazda CX-7 2008 review
Editor's note: For 2008, Mazda has made no significant changes to the CX-7,
which debuted as a 2007 model. One bonus for buyers is that the engine has been
modified to allow it to run on regular g ...
Under the Hood
The 2.3-liter four-cylinder develops 156 horsepower (146 hp for
PZEV-emissions-compliant models) while the 3.0-liter V-6 turns out 212 hp. Both
engines can team with a five-speed manual transmissi ...