A joint development between Mazda and the Ford Motor Company, the Mazda Tribute, which was launched in 2001, is distinctly similar to the Ford Escape/Maverick. Both the Mazda Tribute and the Ford Escape/Maverick featured both front and four-wheel drive on their debut. However, a notable difference is that the Mazda Tribute’s suspension was firmer to correspond with the manufacturer’s sporty reputation. It was notably spacious with good on-road handling. In 2005, the Mazda Tribute was revised and a further update was expected in 2007. However, production of the Mazda Tribute was briefly halted so Mazda could launch both a hybrid and next generation version of the model.