Mazda Tribute SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The 2011 Mazda Tribute is a highly contemporary compact crossover SUV with a handsome exterior styling, highly rated safety scores and a choice of either a four-cylinder or V6. It is a direct competitor to the Ford Escape and, unfortunately lacks many features that make it a truly competitive vehicle in its class.
The Mazda Tribute is available in two models, the i version and the s version that correspond to the four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines respectively. Trim levels for the i version are Sport, Touring and Grand Touring while the s version is available as a Grand Touring trim level only.
Features for the base Sport Mazda Tribute include automatic headlamps, 16-inch wheels made of alloy metal, full power accessories, air-conditioning, an auxiliary audio jack, cruise control, an ambient temperature gauge and a CD player. Added in the Touring model are a roof rack, a power driver seat and steering wheel with controls for audio mounted on it, and tinted rear windows. An option on the Touring model is satellite radio. More features in the Grand Touring version include heated side mirrors, sunroof, rearview mirror that auto-dims, an upgraded audio system with a six-CD changer and satellite radio and a backup camera with the display shown in the rear-view mirror. Options available for all trim levels include a towing package and a remote start engine.
Specs:
The engines on the Mazda Tribute are a 2.5-liter four cylinder that can output 171 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque on the i version and a 3.0-liter V6 that can produce 240 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque. Either front-wheel or all-wheel drive is available on all models of the Mazda Tribute. The Sport trim has a five-speed manual transmission as standard with an option for a six-speed automatic. The six-speed automatic is standard on all other models, including the s version with the six-cylinder engine.
Fuel economy for the Mazda Tribute depends on the engine and drive type. The four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive is rated at 22 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined. An all-wheel drive version of the four-cylinder engine vehicle is rated at 20 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg combined. The six-cylinder engine with front wheel drive is rated at 19 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg combined while the four-wheel drive version lowers the rates to 18 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg combined.
The interior of the Mazda Tribute is well built with the layout of the controls easy to understand and use. The front seats of the vehicle are well padded and comfortable although the same cannot be said for the rear seats. Folding them down is also somewhat problematic as the headrests need to be removed and the bottom cushions tipped forward in order to get them to lay flat. Cargo space with second row of seats upright is 31.4 cubic feet and expands to 67.2 cubic feet when the seats are lowered.
Overall, the 2011 Mazda Tribute is a pleasant vehicle to drive with a good road feel and response delivered by the electric power steering system. Ride quality is smooth making it an excellent choice for everyday commuting and general family driving.
The Mazda Tribute is available in two models, the i version and the s version that correspond to the four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines respectively. Trim levels for the i version are Sport, Touring and Grand Touring while the s version is available as a Grand Touring trim level only.
Features for the base Sport Mazda Tribute include automatic headlamps, 16-inch wheels made of alloy metal, full power accessories, air-conditioning, an auxiliary audio jack, cruise control, an ambient temperature gauge and a CD player. Added in the Touring model are a roof rack, a power driver seat and steering wheel with controls for audio mounted on it, and tinted rear windows. An option on the Touring model is satellite radio. More features in the Grand Touring version include heated side mirrors, sunroof, rearview mirror that auto-dims, an upgraded audio system with a six-CD changer and satellite radio and a backup camera with the display shown in the rear-view mirror. Options available for all trim levels include a towing package and a remote start engine.
Specs:
The engines on the Mazda Tribute are a 2.5-liter four cylinder that can output 171 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque on the i version and a 3.0-liter V6 that can produce 240 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque. Either front-wheel or all-wheel drive is available on all models of the Mazda Tribute. The Sport trim has a five-speed manual transmission as standard with an option for a six-speed automatic. The six-speed automatic is standard on all other models, including the s version with the six-cylinder engine.
Fuel economy for the Mazda Tribute depends on the engine and drive type. The four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive is rated at 22 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined. An all-wheel drive version of the four-cylinder engine vehicle is rated at 20 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg combined. The six-cylinder engine with front wheel drive is rated at 19 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg combined while the four-wheel drive version lowers the rates to 18 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg combined.
The interior of the Mazda Tribute is well built with the layout of the controls easy to understand and use. The front seats of the vehicle are well padded and comfortable although the same cannot be said for the rear seats. Folding them down is also somewhat problematic as the headrests need to be removed and the bottom cushions tipped forward in order to get them to lay flat. Cargo space with second row of seats upright is 31.4 cubic feet and expands to 67.2 cubic feet when the seats are lowered.
Overall, the 2011 Mazda Tribute is a pleasant vehicle to drive with a good road feel and response delivered by the electric power steering system. Ride quality is smooth making it an excellent choice for everyday commuting and general family driving.
