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2008 Mazda Tribute Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Mazda Tribute to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the Mazda Tribute to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information.

Likes:

  • Much improved styling
  • Great new dash
  • Good backseat room

Dislikes:

  • No third-row option
  • No navigation system
  • Middling road manners
  • Sluggish acceleration

Buying Tips:

The 2008 Mazda Tribute now comes in a Hybrid edition, which has far better fuel economy. The 2009 Mazda Tribute will likely add a six-speed automatic transmission to its options sheet, and a boost in fuel economy will presumably result.

The 2008 Mazda Tribute gets a bolder, tougher new look this year, along with a more comfortable, more upscale interior. Other improvements, including a first-ever Hybrid model, breathe new life into a crossover that hasn't seen many changes since its 2001 introduction.

Offered in both front- and all-wheel-drive versions, the Tribute sport-utility vehicle shares platforms and powertrains with the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, as well as their hybrid editions, though the Tribute carries its own distinctive styling inside and out. The exterior's best new feature is a prominent, squared-off nose. The Mazda logo is framed by a bright surround, and the new look gives it a decidedly more masculine appeal than the old version. Inside, the 2008 Mazda Tribute wears a handsomely blocky new dash, with piano-black plastic trim and a chunky steering wheel.

A 153-horsepower, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine propels the base version through a five-speed manual, while a 200-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6 is included with the top model. Both engines can be mated to an optional four-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. Fuel economy ranges from 17/22 mpg on all-wheel-drive versions to 22/28 mpg with four-cylinder front-drive Tributes. Performance is no better than average, even with the V-6, and handling is more SUV than crossover, with numb steering the chief complaint.

The front seats are a little flat but comfortable for long trips, and there's plenty of headroom for four adults inside. The second-row seat doesn't have a lot of extra space for adults, but two will ride happily. The Mazda Tribute's assembly quality seems very high, with good materials and well-fitted trim pieces.

New standard features include 16-inch wheels and fog lamps. A DVD entertainment system, heated seats, Sirius Satellite Radio, remote start, and a power moonroof are on the options list, but a navigation system is not offered.

Safety equipment includes standard anti-lock brakes; stability, roll, and traction control; and tire pressure monitors. Side curtain airbags are an option. The IIHS gives the 2008 Mazda Tribute an "acceptable" rating for front impact and a "good" rating for side collision protection. The NHTSA awards the Tribute four stars for driver front-impact protection and five for the passenger, as well as five stars for side-impact protection and three stars for rollover safety.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Mazda Tribute, also consider:

Reason Why:

The Ford Escape is a near-twin to the Tribute, and it wears an even larger grille. The Nissan Rogue is a new entry among compact crossovers, and it's recommended for good handling, though its cargo area is small and its transmission unusual. The Tribute's main competition may in fact be Mazda's own CX-7 crossover, a slightly larger, far more carlike vehicle with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and much better road manners and styling.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Mazda Tribute wears a sharp new set of sheetmetal, but performance remains middling, and it still lacks a third-row option.

TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Mazda Tribute to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the Mazda Tribute to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information. Likes:Much improved stylingGreat new dashGood backseat roomDislikes:No third-row optionNo navigation systemMiddling road mannersSluggish accelerationBuying Tips:The 2008 Mazda Tribute now comes in a Hybrid edition, which has far better fuel economy. The 2009 Mazda Tribute will likely add a six-speed automatic transmission to its options sheet, and a boost in fuel economy will presumably result. The 2008 Mazda Tribute gets a bolder, tougher new look this year, along with a more comfortable, more upscale interior. Other improvements, including a first-ever Hybrid model, breathe new life into a crossover that hasn't seen many changes since its 2001 introduction. Offered in both front- and all-wheel-drive versions, the Tribute sport-utility vehicle shares platforms and powertrains with the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, as well as their hybrid editions, though the Tribute carries its own distinctive styling inside and out. The exterior's best new feature is a prominent, squared-off nose. The Mazda logo is framed by a bright surround, and the new look gives it a decidedly more masculine appeal than the old version. Inside, the 2008 Mazda Tribute wears a handsomely blocky new dash, with piano-black plastic trim and a chunky steering wheel. A 153-horsepower, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine propels the base version through a five-speed manual, while a 200-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6 is included with the top model. Both engines can be mated to an optional four-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. Fuel economy ranges from 17/22 mpg on all-wheel-drive versions to 22/28 mpg with four-cylinder front-drive Tributes. Performance is no better than average, even with the V-6, and handling is more SUV than crossover, with numb steering the chief complaint. The front seats are a little flat but comfortable for long trips, and there's plenty of headroom for four adults inside. The second-row seat doesn't have a lot of extra space for adults, but two will ride happily. The Mazda Tribute's assembly quality seems very high, with good materials and well-fitted trim pieces. New standard features include 16-inch wheels and fog lamps. A DVD entertainment system, heated seats, Sirius Satellite Radio, remote start, and a power moonroof are on the options list, but a navigation system is not offered. Safety equipment includes standard anti-lock brakes; stability, roll, and traction control; and tire pressure monitors. Side curtain airbags are an option. The IIHS gives the 2008 Mazda Tribute an "acceptable" rating for front impact and a "good" rating for side collision protection. The NHTSA awards the Tribute four stars for driver front-impact protection and five for the passenger, as well as five stars for side-impact protection and three stars for rollover safety. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Mazda Tribute, also consider:Ford EscapeNissan RogueMazda CX-7Reason Why:The Ford Escape is a near-twin to the Tribute, and it wears an even larger grille. The Nissan Rogue is a new entry among compact crossovers, and it's recommended for good handling, though its cargo area is small and its transmission unusual. The Tribute's main competition may in fact be Mazda's own CX-7 crossover, a slightly larger, far more carlike vehicle with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and much better road manners and styling. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Mazda Tribute wears a sharp new set of sheetmetal, but performance remains middling, and it still lacks a third-row option. TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Mazda Tribute to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the Mazda Tribute to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and ...

Other Choices:

The Ford Escape is a near-twin to the Tribute, and it wears an even larger grille. The Nissan Rogue is a new entry among compact crossovers, and it's recommended for good handling, though its cargo area is small and its transmission unusual. The Tribute's main competition may in fact be Mazda's own CX-7 crossover, a slightly larger, far more carlike vehicle with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and much better road manners and styling.

Next Steps:

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for a 2008 Mazda Tribute near you

See the Mazda Tribute in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Razvan #1, Posted: 7/7/2008

    Mr

    still looks bland...the cx 7 is so much better looking

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