The 2001 MAXDA TRIBUTE- Newsbreak: less than half of SUV buyers have ever taken their utes off road. Shocker? Not Really. When Lexus and BMW brought about SUV's that weren't designed for heavy-duty off-roading, sales didn't drop; they rose. Truth is that most people who buy an SUV just want a car with all wheel drive for bad weather, and the ability to hit a dirt road or two on the family vacation. Is that too much to ask? Mazda answers back with their new SUV, a ute that gives people what they need, and all for around the mid twentys. Not bad.

Mazda answers back with their new SUV, a ute that gives people what they need, and nothing they don't, and all for around twenty-five g's. Since we're all already sick of the mini-utes, it's a good thing this isn't one.

A fresh new mini-ute with a unique flair: Nearly six inches longer than the Cherokee, it boasts as much cargo room as the aforementioned Lexus RX 300. Though sharing a platform with the Ford Escape, remember the Mazda Navajo (a.k.a. Explorer)?, Mazda engineers are the ones responsible for most of the design and engineering. A 4-cylinder 130-horsepower is standard, however the 200-horsepower DOHC V-6 is highly recommended. It's a smoother engine, offering better-than-expected low-end torque, and is well routed through the four-speed automatic transmission, the only trans offered in the V-6.

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Lacking a low-range transfer case, the all-wheel drive system is surprisingly sophisticated: Mazda's Rotary Blade Coupling system operates in front-wheel-drive mode under normal driving conditions; when it senses slip, it can instantly transfer up to 50 percent of the power to the rear wheels. There's also a dash-mounted switch allowing the driver to lock the system in full-time all-wheel drive. When tested on gravel-strewn trails, the Tribute had no trouble distributing power where it had to go; snowy roads shouldn,t be too much of a problem, either.

On-road, the Tribute is untouchable. It offers great visibility, no blind spots, and plenty of room for five adults: A high ground clearance, tallish tires, and truck-style frames give most of the new SUV's an iffy understeer and body roll. However, with the Tribute, turns are sharper, cornering is flatter, and slippage is minimal. A fully independent suspension provides for a ride quality that is quiet and freeway happy. The optional four-wheel disc brakes with both ABS and Electronic Brake Force distribution make some of the disc/drum combos on other sport/utilities look a bit under-engineered. Yep, Mazda has outshined the competition with this one.

The inside wasn't neglected either: User-friendly ergonomics, countless storage cubbies, and an in-dash, six-disc CD changer are particular pluses. The leather seats are comfortable, maybe just a tad too soft. The Tribute was styled beautifully, and an exterior devoid of redundant cladding and false image cues is appreciated.

How many niches could there possibly be? The Mazda Tribute has found yet another one, a niche where an SUV with looks, practicality, a perfect balance of off/on-road capability, a workable and efficient interior, and an affordable price fit nicely. What do we call this niche? We call it the niche for realistic needs that people could really use. Could there be a better niche to be in? AZ/AutoNetDirect.com

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