While base front-wheel drive models come with a 5-speed manual transmission, my 4WD tester featured a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic with overdrive, a high-efficiency torque converter and hill-climbing

The 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission was smooth at all speeds. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

control as standard equipment. Shifts were smooth at all speeds, but a sticky accelerator pedal made transitions difficult. The pedal required more of a push than a tap to get it going, perhaps because the SUV is new and requires a little breaking in. Speaking of flowing gear shifts, the 2005 Tribute incorporates a new flow-through console and floor-mounted gear shift lever, replacing the somewhat antiquated column shifter in the outgoing model. I like this system better as there was less visual and spatial obstruction near the instrument cluster. I also found it more convenient when using the shifter to gear down.

I took the Tribute shopping during my test week, not an unusual event, and the store I was in was playing a really good CD.

The sound quality is great but the stereo's buttons are as sticky as the accelerator. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

I asked an associate which one it was, she told me, and then I went out and bought it. I popped it into the new standard 100-watt AM/FM/CD audio system. The sound quality is great but the stereo's buttons are as sticky as the accelerator. I found them to be a little awkward as they're very flat, making their use difficult for me (someone with longer nails). But such is a small price to pay for quality "tunage." On the safety front, Mazda has revised the triple-H-construction body structure to improve performance in offset frontal crashes and improved passenger-seat-weight-sensing technology. Dual front airbags are standard.