After sitting out 2007, the five-passenger, four-door Mazda Tribute returns in 2008 with a complete redesign and numerous similarities with the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner. Mazda states the Tribute, which is the same size as the 2001-2006 models, offers more sport utility styling than Mazda’s CX-7 and CX-9, which look more like wagons than an SUV. The front fascia was redone with a single chrome strip above the grille, minimum exterior chrome, a roof rack, raised beltline and 16-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels for its SUV DNA. Three trims are offered – Sport, Touring or Grand Touring – with two different engine choices – a 2.3-liter four cylinder (i) or a 3.0r-liter six cylinder (s) – and either two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Our tester was a Touring s two-wheel drive that handled well in city driving and adequate power to keep up with traffic on the highway. Quickness isn’t an attribute of the Tribute but comfort and cargo space are. Our power-adjusted driver’s seat was firm and interior knick-knack and storage compartments were plentiful. Two flip-open sunglass holders sit above the windshield, there are storage pockets below the dashboard, next to the gearshift and behind the cupholders, and the center storage console has removable trays. Cargo storage space grows from 29.2 to 66.3 cubic feet when the second row seats, split 60-40, are folded down. Laundry pick-up requires laying clothes down; no coat hanger hooks are above the rear doors. Interior fabrics for the Sport and Touring trims contain 35 percent recycled yarns. Our two-tone cloth seats were black with a white strip in the middle. Safety features are strong, with all Tributes having a tire pressure monitoring system, side-impact air bags and curtains, dynamic stability control, traction control and roll stability control. While there is slight lean in tight turns at high speeds, drivers can sense suspension adjustments kicking in. The Tribute uses fully independent coil-spring suspension (McPherson struts in front and multi-link in the rear) and unibody construction. Rack-and-pinion steering combines with electric power steering for responsive steering at lower and higher speeds. Rear visibility improves with rear head restraints lowered. An information screen provides data feedback but is difficult to read with sunglasses on. Leather seats, upgraded audio, sunroof and cargo cover are available as add-ons.