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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  Great little suv - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By UPSman63 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Really have enjoyed this Mazda Tribute..bought in Oct.2001...very peppy engine,stylish,handles like a sports car,seats 4 comfortably,plenty of room for luggage in back and on roof rack..only complaint is I wish it could carry more people..at least sit 6 instead of 5 but that is the only complaint I have..not had any trouble with this vehicle at all! A+++++!

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  Very Good Vehicle - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By LCA - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I have over 15,000 Miles on this vehicle to date no problems only fun

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  Gret SUV - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By Birdman333 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Looked at over 10 different styles and makes from autos to SUVs. We settled on the Tribute because we were current Mazda owners of a 626 for 16 years and never had a major thig go wrong.

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  Mazda Tribute LX 2x4 - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By Edskie - October 16 - 10:00 am

  The Mazda Tribute is very fun to drive SUV, it handles more like a sports car then a truck and the engine is powerfull and refined. The styling has a more fun, sporty look to it compared to its Ford Escape counterpart, which by the way is everything the Mazada is except for more truck like styling.

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  A Satisfied Owner - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By MikkiB - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Owning this vehicle has been a really good experience. It has a great turning radius and it drives like a car not a truck.

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  I Love This SUV - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By vjneighbors - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I love this car! I was drawn to it by the more stylish body lines than other SUVs, but am really happy with the performance and comfort. This is a beautiful, but functional vehicle. It offers a very large cargo area, and it is very easy to unload groceries, equipment, etc. from the rear. Gas mileage isnt the greatest, but the fun of owning and driving this car more than makes up for that. The fold-down seats are really convenient and easy to use.

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  New Tribute - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By Craig - October 13 - 7:53 pm

  I just purchased a new Tribute and couldnt be happier. I had been looking into them for a while and was glad to finally get one. I think they are the best small SUV on the market. I would recommend that everyone try fightingchance.com to get the best price, I got mine $526 BELOW invoice cost. Deals are out there, you just have to look.

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  Over 300,000 miles - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By bluechicken - October 8 - 9:13 am

  I bought my Mazda Tribute new in December 2002. I live at 6,000 ft elevation on a mountain. For the first 9 years of owning my Tribute, I commuted 100 miles a day, mountain road all the way. My Tribute had no trouble pulling the grade going up the mountain. It performs great in the snow with snow tires. It is a very stable vehicle. I now have 306,000 miles on my Tribute!! The only major repairs I have done is a new alternator at 175,000 miles, at 280,000 the radiator blew. When having the radiator replaced I had the coil packs and spark plugs replaced since they were still original!!! Other than those repairs it was just the normal stuff .. batteries, brakes and oil changes.

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  Love this SUV!! - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By Love this SUV!! - October 4 - 4:13 pm

  We bought our Tribute new back in 2001 and absolutely love it. We now have 140,000 miles on it and the only servicing that it has needed has been the usual wear and tear. We have always had our servicing done at the dealer. Best of all...this SUV is great in the snow. I have never had a problem driving this vehicle in bad weather. I average about 20 mpg. We also had a Miata and finally departed with that car after it had 250,000 miles on it. What can I say about Mazda.......they make reliable cars as long as you do your part in maintaining them.

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  Great "Small" SUV!!! - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By Tmetz - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Recently purchased this vehicle for my wife, for highway travelling and to carry around my daughters monstrosity known as her carseat. My wife is nearly 6 tall, I am 66" and my daughter is very long/tall for her age. In turn, our front seats are always to the rear and my daughters huge carseat faces rearward. Simply put, the Tribute was the only "small" SUV that would fit us all comfortably. It is a dream to drive and fun to boot. This is, by far, the best new car purchase I have ever completed. I have a feeling that there might be a second Tribute in the garage before too long!