Vehicles

The Mazda Tribute is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with the soul of a sports car. Tribute’s handling, responsiveness and steering feel are fine-tuned to a level seldom associated with SUVs, but long associated with Mazdas. The 2005 Tribute arrived in dealerships in mid-2004 with a new four-cylinder engine, styling changes and numerous upgrades inside and out, and carries into the full 2005 model year unchanged.In keeping with Mazda’s vehicle nomenclature, Tribute now is available in two trim levels, i and s, instead of the previous DX, LX and ES designations. The new 2.3- liter, four-cylinder i engine replaces the DX engine and produces 153 horsepower and 152 lb-ft of torque, significantly more than the 130 horsepower and 135 lb-ft torque of the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder in the DX. The additional torque is produced on a broader, flatter curve for better mid-range throttle response. The increase in power also allows the new i engine to be mated to a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission or five-speed manual (DX was available only with a five-speed manual). The standard five-speed manual transmission in the i has a new gear box with short, positive throws and reduced shift efforts.