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2008 Mazda Tribute Review

July 6, 2008

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

significant restyling for 2008
Car and Driver

looks like the shipping container the Mazda CX-7 came in
Edmunds

effectively mixes rugged with refined
Kelley Blue Book

The 2008 Mazda Tribute gets a revamped look for the new model year: It’s a bolder, tougher style that comes with a more comfortable, more upscale interior.

Kelley Blue Book and Car and Driver have opposite views when it comes to the 2008 Mazda Tribute's exterior design; the former states that "the new [Mazda] Tribute puts classic SUV sheet metal cues into a contemporary context that effectively mixes rugged with refined," while the latter leads off that part of the review with the description "blander sheet metal." While updates for the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner are considered improvements by Car and Driver, they say that the "opposite is true for the [Mazda] Tribute." TheCarConnection.com’s editors think 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 lends it a decidedly more masculine appeal than the old version. “With its boxy, traditional SUV body, the Tribute looks like the shipping container the Mazda CX-7 came in,” Edmunds says, though it contends the new look is “nevertheless a stylish, alternative take on the new Escape.” MyRide.com thinks “There isn’t a lot to distinguish the Mazda Tribute from the Ford Escape except the front grill.”

Inside, the 2008 Mazda Tribute wears a handsomely blocky new dash, with piano-black plastic trim and a chunky steering wheel. Automotive.com reports that in the new Tribute, "controls are at hand and not confusing for the driver," resulting not only in greater convenience, but greater safety as well. Unfortunately, the "dozens of black buttons and knobs were difficult to distinguish from one another," according to Car and Driver. The exception is the back-lit instruments, which are now "a pretty ice blue with Mazda-specific red-and-white gauges." Kelley Blue Book simply reports that this Mazda 2008's "gauges are legible." Edmunds says, “Available rich two-tone color schemes and 'ice blue' lighting create a warm, yet modern look.”

Conclusion

The 2008 Mazda Tribute wears a new nose and gets new interior trim, in a moderately successful makeover.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:significant restyling for 2008Car and Driverlooks like the shipping container the Mazda CX-7 came inEdmundseffectively mixes rugged with refinedKelley Blue Book The 2008 Mazda Tribute gets a revamped look for the new model year: It’s a bolder, tougher style that comes with a more comfortable, more upscale interior. Kelley Blue Book and Car and Driver have opposite views when it comes to the 2008 Mazda Tribute's exterior design; the former states that "the new [Mazda] Tribute puts classic SUV sheet metal cues into a contemporary context that effectively mixes rugged with refined," while the latter leads off that part of the review with the description "blander sheet metal." While updates for the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner are considered improvements by Car and Driver, they say that the "opposite is true for the [Mazda] Tribute." TheCarConnection.com’s editors think 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 lends it a decidedly more masculine appeal than the old version. “With its boxy, traditional SUV body, the Tribute looks like the shipping container the Mazda CX-7 came in,” Edmunds says, though it contends the new look is “nevertheless a stylish, alternative take on the new Escape.” MyRide.com thinks “There isn’t a lot to distinguish the Mazda Tribute from the Ford Escape except the front grill.” Inside, the 2008 Mazda Tribute wears a handsomely blocky new dash, with piano-black plastic trim and a chunky steering wheel. Automotive.com reports that in the new Tribute, "controls are at hand and not confusing for the driver," resulting not only in greater convenience, but greater safety as well. Unfortunately, the "dozens of black buttons and knobs were difficult to distinguish from one another," according to Car and Driver. The exception is the back-lit instruments, which are now "a pretty ice blue with Mazda-specific red-and-white gauges." Kelley Blue Book simply reports that this Mazda 2008's "gauges are legible." Edmunds says, “Available rich two-tone color schemes and 'ice blue' lighting create a warm, yet modern look.” ConclusionThe 2008 Mazda Tribute wears a new nose and gets new interior trim, in a moderately successful makeover.  2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: "significant restyling for 2008" Edmunds: "looks like the shipping container the Mazda CX-7 came in" Kelley Blue Book: "effectively mixes rugged with refined" The 2008 Mazda Tribute gets a revamped look for the new model ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

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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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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