2001 Mazda Tribute ES V-6

2001 {{{{{{Mazda Tribute}}}}}} ES V-6This is one of those vehicles that just sneaks up on you with how nice it is. We get nothing but compliments on the Tribute's look, which is slickly Euro in a certain way and nicely differentiated from its more rough-and-tumble cousin, the {{{Ford Escape}}}. Much praise for the Duratec V-6 powertrain: Just the right amount of throttle tip-in at launch, quiet on the cruise, and plenty of all-around punch, if a bit thrashy up near redline. "Taut steering and suspension helps this little SUV use its power" is one recent logbook entry. Servicewise, the Tribute has asked for no more than a quart of oil at around 5000 miles. The interior makes most folks happy. It looks great, has lots of room considering the vehicle's compact exterior size, and is ergonomically sound. But some of the materials show a bit of cost-cutting, and several drivers have complained that it takes a lot of stabbing around with the key to locate the ignition switch. The minor rattle in the headliner is still there, and we'll have the dealer address it when the Tribute goes in for its first service at 7500 miles. Otherwise, A-OK.

Logbook Quote"Where did Mazda find the interior room? Driver-side room is full-size sedanlike."-David Newhardt

2001 Suzuki XL-7Suzi completed a recent cross country trip with no hassle or damage. The engine runs better and smoothes out with every passing mile. It's torquier than many of the four-bangers in this class, but not really much more powerful. Those who aren't into car-based SUVs will appreciate the legit truck frame, better-than-average ground clearance, and multirange transfer case. What nobody on the staff appreciates or understands is the third-row seat design. "No human with two intact femurs could possibly sit back there." Yup, it's that tight. "So just fold the seat down and use it for cargo space," right? You can, but the rear cushion doesn't fold flat, so anything you put on it slides off. "Okay, just take it out altogether." Wrong-o; it's not removable. So all that space back there is a compromise at best. For '02, however, you can select a base model XL-7 that doesn't have the third-row seat at all, effectively making it an option. Our test truck certainly speaks well to any fears about this brand's reliability; its 7500-mile service cost just over 50 bucks, and there's been nary a mechanical issue to report on.

Logbook Quote"I like that it's an honest 4x4, with a real low-range transfer case."-Jeff Bartlett