Tell me about the Mazda Tribute

[AVE_ENG]

I went from considering a Nissan Pathfinder, too much money/terrible mpg's, then to a Mazda3 or P5. Now it looks more and more that we're expecting, so I'm back to considering a smallish SUV. Something like CRV, or Tribute.

What else competes in this class that I should consider? Are Tributes known to be reliable, big enough, etc.?

Thx

 

[finlandia]

I test drove one with my mom about 10 months ago - then she decided she wanted the bigger Pathfinder. The Tribute is twinned with the Ford something or other, I think the Escape.

Here's what I remember from that test drive (I drove it myself for about 15 minutes; I was the devil's advocate for her):

Good:
Peppy with the V6 (didn't try the 4 cylinder)
Handles/stops very well (keeping in mind this is a small SUV)
Roomy
Not overstyled like some small SUVs *RAV4* cough cough

Bad:
Cheapo interior (below standard of other Mazda vehicles)
Kinda noisy (but it is a truck, hey)
not sure about mileage, but probably low with the V6

I guess the competition would by the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CRV, the Jeep Liberty, the Ford Escape (which probably could be bought for less). Stepping up a level, you could try the Toyota Highlander, too. Or a Land Rover Disco if you feel like wasting money on a fancy nameplate.

Not sure about reliability, but it is a Mazda. Even Ford can't screw that up. Check the consumer reports numbers.

hope this helps.

 

[Sdrotary2]

The Tribute is not a truck. It is a unibody designed off the 626 platform. It handles well, is safe, powerfull and well desinged. it is somewhat noisy and I recomend the dark interior not the beige. It has proven to be very reliable but has the usuall american made little quality issues, ie plastics and such. It is very well priced being able to be bought for $19,305 if purchased at invoice after rebate for an 04 LX with V-6. power windows, locks, mirrors, a/c cd,alloy wheels, roof rack, tinted windows, keyless entry ect. It gets good milage for a v-6 (19/25), due to the fact is reasonably light (3321),
Ford does have the counter part the escape but it is much cheaper and the warranty difference alone should make your decision.
If you have any other ? let me know.

Double Agent Salesman

 

[MP3skaterNC]

One of my friends has an es v6. Its pretty nice, handles well, and is decently peppy. Got good gas milage, and even survived a 15mph rear ending, with vary minimal damage.

If i were looking for a sport ute, id definately look at the tribute.

 

[jrodhotrod]

Hey guys,

We were looking around at the auto show today and I think my gf and I are strongly leaning towards the tribute anymore personal experience with them?

I can tell you this that after going from small SUV to small SUV the tribute has the most room for a tall guy in it. I am 6ft 1in tall and by far the tribute was the roomiest and most comfortable. A lot of them don't even have dead pedals.

On comfort for the tribute was definetly the best, the other that is a must for us is 4WD or AWD, but we would prefer true 4WD. The Tribute has this as an option. Any specific experience with the 4WD on it?

 

[Leadfoot]

hmmm....my take on the small SUV segment is to go w/ a Jeep Liberty....their nice, and you know they can handle some off-road travelling if needs be. Price - their all about the same I think.

 

[Sdrotary2]

jeep liberty had a 2 star rollover rating vs 3 star for Mazda here are the TSB's for both in 2002

for Jeep

http://www.alldata.com/TSB/04/020440F1.html

for Mazda

http://www.alldata.com/TSB/34/02346982.html

Tke it how you want just trying to give you competitive info. oh and our gas milage is 19/25 on 87 octane and makes 201hp/200lb-ft of tq. and tips the scales right at 3050 for a 2wd lx

 

[Newf]

personally, I'd go for the vw suv.

Tributes aren't great on gas, and out of all the Mazda's, the Tribute, and their van's are nowhere near as reliable as the REAL Japan built Mazda's, cars. They are basically Ford's with some differences, and from people I know that have them usually don't want to buy another one. However, most magazines placed the Tribute, and Escape as the best small SUV. Your Decision really.

Or, Get a nice dressed up RAV, the base model sucks, but the dressed up looks nice and it's reliable.


Word of warning, if you get the tribute, the stock tires suck ass in snow. I know a lot of people that have had serious accidents in tributes on snow with the stockers...they absolutely suck. With Winter tires on though they are great in snow. If you got a kid on the way, you might want to consider this.

 

[Matthew]

i dont know what to say but my dad has a fully loaded silver one, and its really nice. however, as far as space is concerned, its not nearly as big as my 4Runner. it drives incredibly smooth however (prolly because its technically a car not a truck, unlike my 4runner)...i only drove it myself a few times, though i have ridden in it many times...i dunno i tried to get my wife to get one to stay in the mazda family but its just not big enough for what we needed, so we ended up with the 4runner.

 

[xelderx]

My mom bought one after she was talked out of getting a Ford. I got a couple of dealers to start bidding for her and she got a v6 fully loaded for 23,500 out the door if I remember correctly. What ever the exact price was it was one hell of a deal. I haven't had time to look it over or drive it, but she loves it. She test drove the Escape and the Xterra before deciding on the Mazda.

 

[Dynotrick]

mazda also spent an exta six months of engineering on the tribute, has different steering susp ect. from the ford escape. also i don't know what you mean about the tires, i think they are great in the snow, we've had 62" so far this year.
do a feature for price comparison and it blows the others out of the water in this class. also longer warrenty than most.
oh and the van is made in japan and uniquely mazda, only shares engine with the tribute.

 

[Newf]

I thought the engine and frame on the van's were basically from a ford windstar

Anyways, The tires do suck, but we have REAL winters here

It's not uncommon for the US to get one brand of tires, and us CAnadians to get another. Maybe that is what's going on. although, even Car and Driver( or was it motor trend?) did a SUV comparison tests of these things in the winter, and said the tires sucked.

 

[Sdrotary2]

No question 100% it is the platform from the 626 with a duratech 3.0l I promise. The Tribute started with Firestone Wilderness A/T's here in So cal until the recall fiasco and now we use Continental Contrac SUV or something to that effect. As far as theiur winter value in San Diego I cannot give you any reference. go drive one IMO not to shabby for an SUV. I wouldnt buy it but I dont think I will ever own a suv, I want a rotary next. now I am straying....

 

[servoeyes]

My dad has a tribute (which I've driven) and switched the tires to Yokohama Geolanders. They're really really nice. As for the actual vehicle, it's got enough room to do medium moving. It moved me and all my crap from college back and forth for a couple years. It also gets pretty good mileage compared to the other ones that are truely in its class. The handling is really impressive...it'd be nice if it was stiffer, but it's damn near impossible to go from the MSP to an SUV and fell confident driving it! The magazines say that it's just good at everything it's designed to do...it handles well, has moderate space, and the interior is very comfortable for 5 adults. It's just such and unassuming car that it gets overlooked, you know?

As for the VW suv, newf...you mean the Toureg? That things big and in a different class. It's in the Luxury SUV market.