Mazda's small SUV is no longer a Tribute to Ford.

Tired of peddling as its compact SUV a slow-selling (in Mazda guise, at least) Ford Escape knockoff — we speak, of course, of the 2001-2011 Tribute — Mazda exited the small crossover segment during the 2012 model year to rethink and regroup.

For 2013, Mazda has re-entered that hot segment with a vengeance, challenging the likes of the all-new 2013 Ford Escape and Honda CR-V, among others, with an equally new entry of its own — and this time with one that's all Mazda.

Unveiled last month at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Mazda CX-5 compact crossover, available with front- or all-wheel drive, "is all-new from the ground up and beyond," said Mazda spokeswoman Beverly Braga. "All-new design, platform, everything. The only thing it does share with anything else is the Skyactiv-G 2.0L gasoline engine, which is currently available on the 2012 Mazda3."

While 3 gets the Skyactiv engine and transmission, CX-5 is the first Mazda to get the whole enchilada — an entire suite of fuel-saving features that Mazda collectively calls Skyactiv Technology.

Skyactiv includes engineering aimed at making the chassis stiffer and lighter (high-tensile steel is used extensively), weight-saving and friction-reducing six-speed transmissions and fuel-efficient engines that boast significant weight reduction, very high compression, direct fuel injection, variable-valve timing and exotic exhaust plumbing.

The Skyactiv engine in CX-5 is a 2.0-liter gasoline powerplant that makes 155 hp and 150 lb.-ft. of torque through either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. (A 2.2-liter, 170-hp turbo diesel I-4, which will be offered in international markets, is not, alas, available stateside on CX-5 — at least not at launch.)

That 2.0-liter gas engine's power specs fall short of competitors. The new CR-V beats it by a whopping 30 hp while the new Escape bests CX-5 by 13 ponies in base trim and by an astounding 82 horses if Escape's optional EcoBoost turbo four is under the hood. On the other hand, the Mazda, with in-house mpg estimates — it hasn't been EPA certified yet — as high as 26 city/33 hwy in front-drivers, claims somewhat better fuel economy than either competitor.

On the road, Mazda promises an athletic driving experience, despite the modest power output, thanks both to steering hardware and a fully independent suspension engineered to complement the lighter weight of the Skyactiv chassis.

Already boasting admirably sleek styling for the SUV segment in its larger CX-7 and CX-9 crossovers, Mazda takes the wind-cheating look a step farther in its CX-5 with what the company claims is the "most aerodynamic compact SUV in the field."

CX-5's sculptured body features a pouting grille, swept-back headlamps and ridges, creases and character lines galore, all designed to cheat the wind of grasp while looking good in the process.

Inside, a longest-in-class wheelbase of 106.3 inches gives this small crossover one of the "roomiest cabins in the segment," Mazda says, along with a flexible cargo hold that can be expanded via an available three-piece, 40/20/40-split folding rear seat — a segment exclusive.

Infotainment is controlled with an all-new 5.8-inch touch screen with phone, audio and navigation functions, much of which is duplicated on the steering wheel.

Other available features include Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, iPod audio playback, a nine-speaker Bose Surround Sound system with HD radio and a TomTom navigation system.

Standard safety features include six airbags, four wheel disc brakes, ABS, stability control and traction control. Optional are Blind Spot Monitoring and a rear-view camera.

Look for the all-new Mazda CX-5 to arrive in showrooms in February. Mazda has not announced pricing. Spokeswoman Braga, however, said CX-5 pricing will be "competitive within the segment versus CR-V and RAV4, for example." That would put CX-5 in the low 20s to start.