2006 Mazda Tribute

Pros: Maneuvering and speakers
Cons: storage space

Short but sweet review - I've been very happy with this purchase. I have an '06 Tribute 6 cylinder, automatic with sunroof & 6 CD player.

I disagree with the other epinion about the steering issues, or should I say, I've been lucky. I'm really not sure which. I've been driving SUVs for the last 6 years and cornering has always been an issue. But with the Tribute I can take corners like a sports car. I live on a very curvy road and drive it at speeds that I realize I probably shouldn't - especially with the amount of deer we have in our area.

The road noise at speeds of 55 mph + is a bit excessive and would like to see that reduced with future models. However, it hasn't been that much of an issue except during some calls (always using the hands free, of course)

Pros: great acceleration, comfortable ride on unpaved roads, good traction
Cons: Road noise, gas mileage is so-so

Go to a Mazda dealer and they either head you to the Mazda 3 or the Mazda 6, but if you venture further you will see a little gem the is rarely spoken about. The Mazda Tribute. At first I was not impressed by the looks of it. It looked like an awkward kid in the SUV middle school. But then I took it for a test drive. WOOHOO! It has the pep and vigor of a sports sedan and the comfort of an SUV. I ended up getting the all-wheel driver I-Touring Tribute. It is like driving that comfortable shoe. The room is amazing and it holds five large people comfortably. Granted the gas mileage is not great, but the agility is amazing. It really is Mazda's hidden jewel.

Pros: rear leg space, dependable
Cons: gas mileage, seals on the windows squeak when you roll them up during cold weather

I purchased a Tribute in early 2006 after owning a Toyota Rav4 for two years. While I liked my Rav4 it always felt like it was going to roll on sharp turns, so I wanted something that was more stable. I found a 2006 Tribute with 4WD and V6 and I couldn't be happier. The dealership gave me an excellent deal, so I had to take it! I haven't regretted it yet. During recent snow/ice storms we received 13 plus inches of snow. My Tribute never slid or got stuck, and I put it through almost everything just to test it. It did so good in fact that it pulled a Chevy Silverado Ext. Cab that had been stuck for three days through the snow and ice uphill without a problem. My Tribute drove down roads that big truck and SUV's were getting stuck on and roads that snow plows hadn't gotten to. Overall, I love it and would recommend it to anyone.

Pros: Fun to drive!
Great suspension
Sporty feel
Excellent acceleration
Love the sunroof
No blind spots
Turning radius
Cons: braking
noise on original tires
no auto-lock
no keyless entry

I bought my Tribute in Jan 2006. I had driven many other SUVs and none had the sporty suspension that made the Tribute so much fun to drive. The Ford Escape did not come close and the seats were much shorter in length than the Tribute. As one other reviewer noted, there are no blind spots, unlike every other SUV I tested. The noise one reviewer mentioned is a function of the tires. Since I replaced the tires, no noise! All in all, an excellent vehicle, FUN TO DRIVE!

Pros: STEERING, STORAGE, LEG ROOM, STEREO, STANDARD FEATURES, HANDLING.
Cons: 4CYL ENGINE IS WEAK.

PURCHASED A NEW 06 CHEVROLET EQUINOX FOR MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A NEW 06 TRIBUTE FOR MY SELF. THE EQUINOX HAS MORE ROOM, BUT IN MY OPINION THE TRIBUTE HANDLES BETTER AND TURNS SHARPER. IF I COULD ONLY PICK ONE OF THE 2 I WOULD PICK THE MAZDA. WAS GOING TO BUY A HONDA CRV BUT I AM GLAD I CHOSE THE MAZDA. IT CAME WITH A 50K MI WARRANTY COMPARED TO HONDA AND CHEVROLET ONLY 36K. THESE ARE THE FIRST SUVS WE HAVE EVER OWNED. ONCE YOU BUY AN SUV YOU WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CAR. I LOVE MY MAZDA AND WOULD NOT TRADE IT FOR ANY OTHER SUV.