THE Mazda Tribute was styled to look a little more chic on the road than the supposedly more rugged Ford Escape. Mazda says there are very few interchangeable body parts, but the connections are unmistakable with a virtually identical glasshouse (except for the Mazda's more generous rear window) and closely matched exterior dimensions. Both Mazda and Ford look relatively large and brawny on the road - which is important for most buyers in this category - until a Patrol pulls alongside. It's not a serious off-roader but approach and departure angles are quite bush-friendly with short front and rear overhangs permitting an approach angle of 28.4 degrees for Limited models and 30.1 degrees for Classic and Luxury, and a departure angle of 27.5 degrees for Limited and 31.8 degrees for Classic and Luxury. There is also a reasonable ground clearance of up to 214mm. But the undersides are not designed to take too much of a bashing.