Overview & Reviews

Extensive changes for the Tribute this year include a new base engine, restyled exterior and a new electronic four-wheel-drive system. A floor-mounted shifter replaces the awkward column shifter, and ABS is now standard on all models.

• Roomy and comfortable interior, peppy V6 engine, drives more like a car than a truck, long list of standard features.

• Mediocre fuel economy and driving range on V6 models.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 173.00

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  No No No more Mazdas for me. - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By BNAride - October 18 - 8:33 am

  Two weeks after purchase gas pedal stuck wrecked vehicle and could not get parts from customs. Recalled for gas pedal shortly after. I have had recalls for door latches. The headlights have been replaced due to condensation build up. Now the door ajar light stays on. Latest I am told that I need to have the engine replaced due to the oil light staying on. I am really disappointed in this vehicle. I have owned 6 mazdas and they have been great.

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  Bad on mileage and power - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By biggun52 - December 8 - 5:13 am

  I first looked a the Escape and almost bought, but they did not budge for the price. I then went to Mazda and bought the cousin for $2,000 less. Great SUV until the AC is on, then I need someone for a push (No power). ROTTEN GAS MILEAGE, otherwise not bad.

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  Drag a wagon - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By Robert Garvey - August 31 - 3:56 pm

  After being lied to about the invoice price which resulted in paying 26,500.00 we did not get the features we wanted. It took three weeks to get delivery because they claimed it arrived at the dealer with "slashes (keyed)" over the front panel. Then it had to have the windshield replaced because a rock hit it while driving it back to the dealership.by then we were no longer eligable for the $2,000.00 rebate. After receiving delivery, it still has a small dent in the chrome on the hood. It rides like a childs wagon being pulled down the street. It hits every imperfection in the road like a speed bump. It makes it impossible to try and make notes or write in the rear seat.

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  Unlucky - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By Unlucky Owner - October 4 - 12:16 pm

  Ownweship experence, Wow where do I start, one alternator, four coils, new breaks all around,a front drive shaft and today a sensor costing 1200 before labor & taxes all before reaching 100,000K. Mazda claims there are no problems with the Tribute, but I say they need to look into it more closely. The SUV is just getting broke in at 97,000 what happened to having a product you could see 100,000 miles on.

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  Can you say, "Recall(s)" - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By Pete - June 25 - 2:00 pm

  From the a month after buying, we had our first of now 5 recalls. I actually bought the 2003 model. Since then I have heard of no significant difference in the number of complaints to dealerships. The Tribute drives well around town and is built solid, but the engine proformance is horrible. Constant transmission problems. Dealerships are blaiming that on the non-Japanese built engine. The seats feel good at first, but after an hour, your rear end goes numb. Not a good road trip car. But around town, for the price, you cant beat it. I give it an average rating, all things considered. I recommendend paying an extra 2-3 thousand and getting more a SUV. I will never buy again.

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  Somewhat Disappointed - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By tributedriver4now - November 6 - 11:26 am

  I have 50,000 miles on our Tribute and I must say that I have been disappointed in the gas mileage (nowhere near what was rated). I purchased the 4 cyl to get better milage but often get below 20. The 4 cyl isnt quite enough power for this vehicle. When it is loaded down and the AC is running it cant pull small hills without shifting down. The seat material shows every spot and has to be cleaned very often. But the price was right compared to the Ford Escape twin. Much of the features would have cost more on the Ford version.

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  2005 Mazda S AWD 3.0 V6 - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By redeye - August 9 - 9:30 pm

  Didnt like it at first, but it steadily grew on me. Noisy at highway speeds, some interior and dashboard controls are poorly designed and impossible to see at night. Heated seat button is in a truly odd place. Body creaks and groans, wallows over some highway undulations. All this and I still like it....cant put my finger on it...maybe its just that it is reliable, decent on gas (ECU went bad at 80,000 and I put a rebuilt one in that improved mileage to 24 - 25 hwy), tires wear forever and it does go in the snow better than any car i have driven.

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  Tribute to the test - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By TexasBoy - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This Tribute seems more reliable than average. Short wheelbase but with a softer suspension. Feels like a truck or more specifically, like a much shorter Explorer. It does seem fairly top heavy to me and like it could roll more easily than many. The stock stereo is below average. I think its one of the best looking compact SUVs on the market. Gas mileage is weak, but it is a truck. The V6 seems adequate (200 hp or so) at times and much more than adequate at other times. When you dial up the real power, the engine is much louder and feels like its straining. Small gas tank.

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  No more Zoom Zoom - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By No more Fords - January 16 - 6:56 am

  Transmission failed at 27,000 miles, one year after warranty expired. After $3,000 to replace transmission and insure check engine light no longer came on, I traded the vehicle. Mazda declined to make any payment toward replacement of transmission although dealer said it was a manufacturing defect. I have owned three previous Mazdas but Zoom Zoom is gone gone.