Base MSRP Range: $18,000 to $24,500
Base Invoice Range: $17,000 to $23,000
Price Quote
MSRP As Tested: $18,200
Versions: DX, LX, ES
Vehicle Category: Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive or optional All Wheel Drive
Engine As Tested: 2.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, Inline 4 cylinder, 130-horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 135 lb-ft torque at 4,500 rpm or optional 3.0-liter Dual Overhad Cam, V6 with 200-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 200 lb.-ft. torque at 4,750 rpm.
Transmission As Tested: 5-Speed Manual or optional 4-Speed Automatic.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 5-Speed Manual - 22/25. 4-Speed Automatic - 18/23
Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger, front and side airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, Remote Keyless Entry.
Competition: Chevrolet Blazer, Chevrolet Tracker, Ford Escape, Ford Explorer Sport, Honda CR-V, Honda Element, Hyundai Santa Fe, Isuzu Rodeo, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, Kia Sorento, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Xterra, Pontiac Aztek, Saturn VUE, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Suzuki Vitara, Suzuki XL-7, Toyota RAV4
The Mazda Tribute is a solid vehicle, with plenty of room for four adults and most of their gear. The fact that it provides this sense of solidity and correct design in a good looking package is one of the reasons Mazda continues to enjoy the 'Zoom, Zoom' roll that it is on.
At this point in automotive history, there isn't much going wrong for Mazda.
The Mazda Protégé and Protégé 5 are a solid hit and a best in class choice for the small car crowd. The Mazda Miata continues its reign as a reasonably priced convertible and venerable champion when it comes to resale value. The Mazda MPV is just as much a car as it is a van, making it a desirable choice for those who want the space, but wouldn't be caught dead driving a large, metallic cube. And the all-new 2004 Mazda 6 and Mazda RX-8 are leaving automotive writers and soon to be customers salivating at the prospects of driving one.
With all this positive news and innovative product in the wings, the Mazda Tribute comes to the 2003 party mostly unchanged for the year. I guess Mazda must be thinking why tinker with success and it's hard to find a good reason for discounting their logic.
Sharing the same genetic makeup as the Ford Escape, the Mazda Tribute is a medium sized solution to the SUV question. Unlike Ford which offers many different SUV's, there is no way to 'Biggie Size' the choice. The Tribute is as large a Mazda SUV as you can get. But really, how many of us need to seat seven people and use up enough fuel to heat an entire city block for 24 hours.
Having said that, I was surprised by how much fuel the Mazda Tribute actually used over the one week period in which I drove the vehicle. While I wouldn't call it gulping, I would say the V6 engine in our Tribute ES was somewhat gluttonous in its appetite for fuel.
Power for the Mazda Tribute is available two ways. A 2.0 litre, DOHC 16-valve 4 cylinder produces a respectable 130-hp at 5,400 rpm and 135 lb.ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. By far the overwhelming choice is the V6 engine. The 3.0 litre, DOHC 24-valve 6 cylinder makes 200-hp at 6,000 rpm and 200 lb.ft. at 4,750 rpm.
Two hundred horsepower you say, what's that given everyone else is pumping out heavy duty thrust? Once again, I have to draw us back to logic. While it may be great to boast of horsepower and torque at the office or ball diamond, real world driving means so much more. Given that most of us will rarely exceed 70 mph in the U.S., what's the sense in giving so much unusable grunt?
Mated to either a 5-spd manual transmission, or 4-speed automatic, I found the shifting of our automatic to be smooth and care free. Given the nature of my job and the exposure to many different types of vehicles and drivetrains, I did find myself wishing for a 5-speed automatic, but decided to re-think my thinking and let reason win over desire.
Available as a two-wheel drive SUV, the off-road capable version of the Mazda Tribute uses a real AWD system. In snow, or rain the Tribute is more than capable of handling itself with poise. For true off-roading, you may want to limit the distance you travel from the highway to something approaching line of sight.
Up front suspension is MacPherson struts, while in the rear it's multi-link with two lateral links and trailing arms. Sedan-like in ride and handling, the Mazda Tribute makes short work of city streets and highway exit ramps, offering excellent on road feel and typical Mazda sportiness.
Clean lines and a rounded shape make the somewhat squat look of the Mazda Tribute attractive. Thick, grey body cladding starts at the base of the body and stops halfway up the door, but it all works together blending harmoniously into the front and rear bumpers. A large emblem resides on the nose of the Tribute, making it obvious this couldn't be anything other than a Mazda vehicle.
Inside the Mazda Tribute is a combination of practicality and mostly good execution. Ok, I found the seat fabric a little boring, and the gear shift lever does get in the way of the AM/FM/CD player with 7 speakers found in our ES Tribute, but these are easily overlooked by quality workmanship and simplistic design.
A well executed center console houses the HVAC system below the stereo, and a comfortable steering wheel hosts the cruise control. Power windows, power door locks with keyless entry and a 6-way power driver's seat on most models help round out the features. Our Mazda Tribute ES was also equipped with heats front seats, with leather being the only option not present.
Legroom is excellent in both the front and back. Trunk space is also good, but then you would expect that in an SUV and the Mazda Tribute doesn't disappoint. A low slung tailgate makes entrance into the back storage area a snap.
After all is said and done, the 2003 Mazda Tribute is more a win for reasonable thinking, then unnecessary excess. Equipped with all the utility and performance credentials the vast majority of us need, it never leaves you disappointed where it counts. Throw in Mazda's reputation for quality service and repair and the recipe for satisfaction is pretty much a no-brainer. Now if they could just do something about that gear shift handle, I'd be a happier man.
Pros: Comfortable and a convenient size. Lots of space for people and cargo. Easy to get in and out of. Overall a good car at a good price.
Cons: Noisy on the highway.
Ratings (1-10)
- Style: 6
- Performance: 6
- Price: 7
- Handling: 6
- Ride: 7
- Comfort: 7
- Quality: 6
- Overall: 6.4
MORE DATA
Where Built: USA
Major Options: All-Wheel Drive, Antilock Braking System, cargo cover, cargo mat, cargo net, CD changer, cruise control, DVD entertainment system, floormats, front-side airbags, leather upholstery, power seats, rear spoiler, roof rack, side steps, theft-deterrent system, tow package.
Seating: 5
Number of Rows: 2
Crash Test Ratings:
- NHTSA Frontal Impact/Driver Crash Test Rating: *****
- NHTSA Frontal Impact/Passenger Crash Test Rating: ****
- NHTSA Side Impact/Front Seat Crash Test Rating: *****
- NHTSA Side Impact/Rear Seat Crash Test Rating: *****
- NHTSA Rollover Resistance Rating: ***
- IIHS Frontal Offset Crash Test: Overall Rated Marginal
Length in Inches: 173.0
Warranties: 4 years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 5 years/unlimited miles corrosion, 4 years/50,000 miles free Roadside Assistance.
Weight in Pounds: 3,091
Towing Capacity in Pounds: 3,500
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 16.4
Destination Charge: $540
