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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  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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  My 2008 Tribute Mazda - 2008 Mazda Tribute
  By Hosam Dajani - January 20 - 7:40 am

  All options were basic and standard. I am missing many nice features when I compared my Mazda to the Ford Escape. The car can out perform a Honda on the highway. The car felt solid on the ground when making sharp turns. The engine felt smoother with synthetic Mobile One 0W-20. The transmission is slow and heavy. The power of the engine is felt best on the highway. Solid when driven on sand or rocks. It needs many changes in my opinion.

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  Still Scratching My Head - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By Joeillini - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Have had the Tribute for 1 1/2 years and 18,000 miles. I am still kicking myself for overlooking obvious things that annoy me now. Bad gas Mileage compared to EPA figure, Poor control for sliding sunroof, no passenger-side lock control, front seats sit to high and cant be lowered, hard to use cruise control at night, have had it in the shop 3 times to fix a rattle in tailgate that is only getting worse, the gear shift doesnt read on the dash 50% of the time, the way the engine downshifts going up just a slight incline causing MPG to suffer, cheap plastic interior door panels with no padding, soft brake pads leave dust on front wheels. Its my fault for purchasing the vehicle.

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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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  Hate it - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By Reasy - December 30 - 1:00 pm

  Bought this car after my cr-v was totaled in an accident (not at fault) and couldnt find another used cr-v. Within three months I had over $3000 in major engine repairs and it just keeps getting worse. Gas mileage has really gone down and the car is so loud and rough to drive... bumpy MI roads dont help, but I get a headache sometimes during my commute. This car has been nothing but trouble for me. Door handles stick really bad, have to really pull to get the doors open. With the cheap feel Im worried they are just going to break right off. They probably will now that I wrote that. Leather seats are very cheap feeling.

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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.

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  Its really a FORD - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By Monica - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Tribute in February 2002 and had to take it in 5 weeks/1800 miles later. They found a leak in a seal in the transmission and corrected it. However, my car still bucks, spits, amd misses to this very day. I have taken it back three times and the dealership has told me they all run this way and nothing is wrong. I am meeting with a factory rep next week and if that doesnt resolve the issue, I will be pursuing the lemon law. I doubt that I will ever buy another Mazda again, especially since Ford has started putting their parts in them.

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  dash board - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By Magno Lins - December 25 - 2:00 am

  I owe a Mazda Tribute 2001, purchased last sept. I love this SUV, but some things need to be considered in order to make the driving experiencie more fun and easier. For exemple the rear defrost switch when the car is on D position, is hard to see if botton is on or off, the shift bar covers the switch. Also, on the rear wiper blade, took me several phone call in order to figure out how to replace it. I call the mazda dealer and they told me to take the car to them because they could no tell me over the phone how to do it. I auto parts person from a local company helped me with it. Besides that so far has been a great SUV. Thanks