Overview & Reviews

The Mazda Tribute was a compact SUV known for its practical packaging, agile handling, surprising V6 performance and solid value. As a crossover SUV, it was more of a truck masquerading as a car than vice-versa in people packaging, although it also combined all-weather driving utility with a friendly, easy-to-drive character. Introduced for 2001, Mazda marketed the Tribute as the Miata of SUVs, and we found the claim not far off the mark. As with its mechanical twin the Ford Escape, the Tribute featured the most powerful V6 engine in its class and could haul up to five passengers and their gear in a practical, space-efficient cabin.

While our editors found the Mazda Tribute to be one of the best small SUVs on the market when it was introduced, age and plenty of newer competitors dropped its standing considerably. After a one-year hiatus, the Tribute returned with new styling and a snazzier interior. However, its underpinnings remained virtually unchanged, leaving the Tribute still behind other compact SUVs, including the carlike Mazda CX-7. Much like the Ford Escape that it closely resembles, the Mazda Tribute began life as a smaller sort of Ford Explorer only to be supplanted by a more carlike breed of crossover.

After 2011, Mazda discontinued the Tribute and effectively replaced it with the more modern and efficient CX-5.

Most Recent Mazda Tribute
Built from 2008 through 2011, the second-generation Mazda Tribute was offered as the four-cylinder "i" and six-cylinder "s" models, which were each available in three trims: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. All-wheel drive was optional on all trims.

Although nearly identical mechanically to the previous-generation model, this Tribute received significant changes to its styling and interior. The latter in particular was greatly improved, with much better materials. Its design and switchgear were consistent with Ford products, however. Initially, this revised Tribute came with the same engine choices as before, which were the 153-horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder and 200-hp 3.0-liter V6, with both running through a four-speed automatic transmission.

The following year brought big improvements in the powertrain department, with a choice of either a 171-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a 240-hp 3.0-liter V6, both coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission (except in the i Sport 2WD, which had a five-speed manual). In addition to the standard models, a hybrid model dubbed the Tribute HEV was also available and, as expected, proved to be a virtual twin of the Ford Escape Hybrid. The HEV earned a combined fuel economy estimate as high as 32 mpg.

Handling was respectable, with the Tribute cornering with a controlled amount of body roll and proving composed in quick transitions. The ride was relatively smooth as well, making this SUV a suitable choice for commuting or hauling the family around. However, its trucklike, utility-style packaging didn't match up against a generation of new carlike competitors with more luxurious interior treatments, higher refinement and superior driving dynamics. As such, although a used Tribute would still be a good choice, we'd encourage consumers to consider its rivals as well.

Past Mazda Tribute Models
The Mazda Tribute was originally introduced in 2001, and there were relatively minor changes made over the next few years until the significant 2008 refresh. The Tribute was offered in DX, DX V6, LX V6 and ES V6 trim levels until 2005, when the i and s trims replaced them. These designations represented the engine choice. The 2005 model change also saw a minor exterior face-lift, a revised suspension and the debut of the more powerful 153-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. Previously, the base engine was a 2.0-liter inline-4 that made a paltry 130 hp. The bigger engine was always the 200-hp 3.0-liter V6.

Functional and space-efficient on the inside, practical and tough on the outside and generally fun to drive wherever life took it, the Mazda Tribute was always one of our favorite compact SUVs when it came to utility. If you're looking at this Tribute, we'd recommend a V6-powered version (particularly for pre-2005 vehicles), despite its thirst for fuel, as the four-cylinder is a pretty anemic performer. It should also be noted that the interior isn't nearly as nice as that of the second-generation model.

User Reviews:

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  Worth It - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By kkcaufield - February 8 - 2:00 am

  Have had the Tribute for one month - 1000 highway miles, 1000 local miles. Great Highway Mielage - local mielage is okay and is as advertised - its an SUV, remember? NO PROBLEMS! Love It! Compared it with Escape - seems to corner better, and handle better (dont know why). Being a Mazda, it should hold its value better than Escape. Buying experience was better than the Ford Dealership.

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  first review - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By clementsn - February 6 - 10:00 am

  Great little SUV. I would highly recommend it.

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  this is the one - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By Mike - February 5 - 1:13 pm

  I tried both the Escape and Tribute. I liked handling and style of Mazda. Mine is an ES with V6, AWD. This is a very good small SUV. I have had this vehicle for 1 year. It has 22k on it; 11k are mine. I maintain meticulous records of not just the mpg but rate the tank on how much city and highway driving I did and even on how hard I drove it. I averaged 16 mpg across 11k miles where I drove 85% suburban/15% highway. My worst mpg was 14 mpg all city driving and my best mpg was 22 mpg on all highway driving. [It is rated 18/24; I have yet to own a car that got its rated values and probably never will.] If you want a small 6 cylinder SUV, this is the one.

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  2002 Mazda Tribute ES - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By Andrew - February 3 - 11:23 am

  Ive owned this SUV for almost 8 years. It has been a reliable car. Some people even confuse it some times with an older Lexus RX300. Not sure what they are thinking, but Ill take the positive impression.

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  Mid Size SUV at Compact SUV prices - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By tribute2003 - February 2 - 2:00 am

  after driving the SUV for about 6 months now, I am glad I bought the Tribute ES V6 with leather. It is comfortable like a Toyota Highlander in size (a couple of inches shorter in the cargo depth) but atleast $5-7k less with Mazda rebates on S-plan. In fact the price was comparable with Honda CRV/Toyota RAV4 but WAY MORE comfortable than those compact SUVs.

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  Best of the Best - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By Bfelosi - January 23 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd Tribute and they only get better. The exterior is beautiful and the interior is even better, with very comfortable seating and a very smooth and quiet ride. Handling of this vehicle is amazing on sharp curves and steep roads. These vehicles are loaded with standard features! I am hooked on my Mazda Tribute!

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  Great SUV - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By lespitz - January 8 - 8:43 am

  Great little SUV for the money. The Ford 3.0 V6 performs great. We live in the mtns with tons of snow and the 4wd system performs great along with the 4 wheel ABS. Gets better gas mpg than the Subaru outback wagon we used to own and has more power.

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  The Snappy 2002 V-6 MAZDA Tribute 4WD - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By Bill Arndt - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Excellent, good looking, snappy little SUV that offers comfort, performance, and reliability. While generally economical for an all-wheel-drive, the fuel economy drops markedly with a boat in tow. The interior appointments are quite good with little lacking except "quiet". Lets face it... this is a noisy vehicle and the unacceptable level of road noise is the only major disappointment we have had with the otherwise great Tribute.

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  Im Happy - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By loophole - December 27 - 2:00 am

  The ES-V6 is both quick and nimble. Smooth running engine; smooth shifting transmission. The ES model has plenty of doodads and gizmos for entertainment. The premium sound system sounds great and is easy to use. On the down side, there is a bit much road and/or drivetrain noise, and the front seats (or my butt) could use some extra padding.

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  All I hoped For in SUV - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By Iowa Tribute Fan - December 26 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I test drove several SUVs - Liberty, Xterra, Escape, Santa Fe, Vue, Montero Sport. We felt the Tribute was easily the best overall. Its roomy, has plenty of power, comfortable ride for an SUV, reasonably quite on the road, and looks great. Gas mileage is descent for a 200 HP V6. Been averaqing 18-19 in city driving so far in just 1500 miles. Like everyone else, our only complaint is that gear shifter partially blocks volume on radio when in drive. However, Ive already found myself reaching around it without thinking about it. This vehicle really is fun to drive. I can tell a lot of people take a good look at it on the road.