bradley emmanuel

Families need to compact SUVs. This category is full of vehicles that offer room for two or three children, who can the grocery store this week, and can cross the winter season safely. And they should not cost a fortune, because if you have young children like me, you know how much it costs to keep them happy.

On all these points, the Tribute is doing well. Being almost identical to the Ford Escape with the exception of some changes, it gives the choice of Mazda SUV affordable. Last year, we drove the base model with its 4-cylinder engine and we have loved. And what about the GT version?

We believe that the shape of the Tribute nears perfection: With his square jaws, its slender proportions and high ground clearance, it pays a rugged appearance. Between the Tribute and Escape, there are no more attractive than the other.

Since 2009, the 3.0-liter V6 produces aging Ford 240 horsepower and a torque of 223 lb-ft, is 40 horsepower more than in 2008, then it is more energetic and much easier overtaking. Gasoline consumption is obviously higher with the V6, and our average of 13.1 L/100 km is not impressive. During a round trip Montreal-Toronto, however, the average small truck showed 10.7 L/100 km.

The engine is noisy, by cons. At full speed, he unleashed a grunt satisfactory, but the rest of the time, even at idle, its growl seeps into the cabin. The 6-speed automatic does a good job to precipitate changes to report that the engine does not revolutionize unnecessarily. At a constant speed of 100 km / h, the V6 is part of the system at 1 900 rpm.

The Tribute enjoys a spacious interior. By folding the rear seat before closing his case, a loading capacity of 1 877 liters, which is about average among compact SUVs.

The front seats proved comfortable on our long journey, but they seem a little too stuffed: with minimal lateral support and roll of cash (although the ride quality is very good), we must cling somewhat on the circular highway exits. We prefer the cloth seats of GX and GS trims.