Overview & Reviews

Mazda's first sport-utility vehicle since the departure of the Navajo half a decade ago, the Tribute combines car-like ride and handling with the ability to go in the snow and tote up to five passengers and a healthy amount of their luggage. With the most powerful V6 in its class, in addition to handsome looks and a spacious cabin, the Tribute should find huge success despite an increasingly crowded small-SUV marketplace.

• Stout V6 power, rugged good looks, roomy cabin, attractive pricing.

• Weak standard four-cylinder engine, no low-range transfer case.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 112.00

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  In Love - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By sths0609 - April 25 - 9:03 pm

  Ive been in love with the 2001-2004 Mazda Tributes since they first came out. Finally got to get one about 2 months ago. Bought it with 71,000 miles on it, and 2 months later its got 75,000 miles. Shes fully loaded 6 disc CD and cassette, side air-bags sunroof. Plenty of get up, just wish fuel economy was better.

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  as good as it gets - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By bonyeller - April 9 - 5:13 am

  This has been a pretty decent purchase, just wished I had gotten cruise control. I didnt want to pay the extra costs of just adding cruise control as an option. The vehicle has al ot of pep and passing power, not too bad on towing either. I would recommend this "baby SUV" to anyone, just make sure you have cruise control.

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  Very Reliable - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By Drivinthegirls - February 19 - 2:40 am

  I am getting ready to trade my Tribute in. It was my moms before it was mine. She bought it brand new. She nor I have had any problems with the Tribute. The only thing that I would say is bad is the gas mileage. Its a beautiful car. I like it MUCH better than the CX-7. I test drove a CX-7 and the interior was so cramped and remined me of a boxy volvo. The Tribute is awesome. It has been reliable now for 7 years. It has 135,000 miles on it now and still going strong.

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  Why I Like my Mazda Tribute - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By Phil Henderson - December 7 - 1:06 pm

  I researched all SUVs in this category and bought the Tribute based on specific criteria. I wanted a front wheel drive (traction in snow), not 4WD (maintenance risk and mileage), head room (Im only 6 tall and if I pitched forward in an accident in the Sante Fe, it would have hit the ceiling - Tribute has lots of room), 6 cyl, rear gate opens up, carry 4x8 sheet of plywood through the rear window, carry 8 ft 2x4 inside with the doors closed, internal storage of spare tire, fits in the garage, styling interior and exterior, elevated rear seats, visibility for the driver, and excellent driving feel.

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  Ive had my Tribute for 6 years now - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By Meredith - November 5 - 7:43 pm

  I came on here looking for how long Tributes last for but I cant find anyone with higher miles than mine. I currently have 124,000 miles and yes, Ive been needing to replace a few things, but they all seem like normal wear and tear. However, Im a little worried because of the high miles and cant afford costly repairs, but I LOVE my car. Ive been pricing used ones, haha, yes I am thinking about getting another one. Its due for a tie-rod replacement and I need to have the spark plugs replaced, which will all hopefully be done this weekend. Also, my ash/trash tray thing on the backseat drivers side door has fallen out, for no reason, but otherwise, cosmetically, its doing well.

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  Great SUV! - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By juguru - October 9 - 6:33 pm

  I bought my 2001 Mazda Tribute ES V6 4x4 in October 2000. This has been a great car. I recently had a tune-up at 229,000 miles and the mechanic couldnt believe it was in such great shape for being almost 13 years old. She looks and runs like the day I bought it! Im sure the fact I live in Charleston, SC helped keep it looking so nice - no snow! The only problem I had with it was the pleather inserts on the door panels failed about 2 years ago, but I was able to fix them myself... A very good and dependable vehicle and a lot of fun to drive. My sister needed a new car so I just drove it to Upstate NY to give to her. Still running great on long trips. I will miss driving it!!!

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  Do I have a lemon? - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By Kaycee - August 30 - 5:30 pm

  This car is rough, loud, & too many things have broken that normally never break; leather(?) door panels peeled off in garage kept car. Cruise control off & hissing noise when accelerator is used.

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  Great vehicle under 75,000 miles - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By vabeachjason - August 10 - 7:00 am

  I bought my tribute at 76,000 miles. It has been a great vehicle to me in the last 2 years until the last 4 months its been 1 thing after another. In April I started the engine and it literally exploded. The intake exploded destroying everything around it and sending oil and plastic parts everywhere! The dealer could not explain it and said "these things happen." I was given no explanation and had to pay 1300 dollars to replace the intake, the cable and damaged hoses. Then in May the transmission went ($3000) and today I have an unexplained oil leak under the rear differential. I love my Tribute, but I would never buy one again because of the costly repairs.

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  81,ooo miles - no complaints... - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By JB of Lawrenceville - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Bought the ES w/ 4wd almost by accident - I was checking out 4-door cars at the VW dealer next door, when a salesman talked me into driving the Trib. The drive sold me, coupled with what I felt was a huge bang-for-the buck value - V-6, 4wd, all options, leather, great adjustable seat - all for under 22k (after negotiations). Ive taken it in for a few minor recall checks, never spent more than an hour each time. Car still runs like new! I recommend it highly!

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  V6 tows great - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By ddeemo - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Owned a LX V6 4WD for over 2 years and now have almost 35,000 miles. It gets decent gas milage for a SUV with so much power. Tows very strongly, towed car and equipment on trailer 3000 miles cross country with no problem. Able to pass many cars up hills that could not go faster, while pulling about 3500# trailer load with little effort. Reliability concerns initially with a leaking brake master cylinder, security key error and a few minor problems fixed under waranty. It has been reliable last 25000 miles and has not left me stranded ever like my friends BMW X5 has 3x.