The instrument panel layout is well-designed, but we question why there’s a button with a phone pictogram on it when Bluetooth connectivity isn’t available on any Tribute. The piano-black trim pieces looks nice, but you’ll have to dust it off every two days.
In GT trim, the Tribute seems lightly equipped. It does include quite a few safety features like roll stability control and six airbags, but there’s no dual-zone climate control, no USB port for the sound system, no temperature control for the heated seats, and no power passenger seat.
One nice addition this year is the backup camera whose display is integrated in the rear view mirror. It’s small but useful, and we expect this feature to spread like wildfire within the automotive industry.
All V6-powered Tributes also get a standard trailer tow hitch, and towing capacity is 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg). All-wheel drive is also standard on the GT, which is front-wheel biased and can send up to 50% of available power to the rear wheels as needed.
There’s nothing really wrong with the Mazda Tribute, as it accomplishes its duty without complaint and fulfills the needs of many people. As a sport-utility vehicle, it’s much more utility than sport, and different in character than the home-grown CX-7.
We appreciated the 4-cylinder base model. The Tribute GT, however, seems rather expensive at $34,995. Its V6-powered competition is plentiful and competent, including the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain.
If you can skip the heated leather seats, 7-speaker stereo and sunroof, a less-expensive Tribute GX or GS will do the job nicely. And if you’re not towing anything, we recommend the 171-hp 4-cylinder engine instead.
photo:Mazda
In GT trim, the Tribute seems lightly equipped. It does include quite a few safety features like roll stability control and six airbags, but there’s no dual-zone climate control, no USB port for the sound system, no temperature control for the heated seats, and no power passenger seat.
One nice addition this year is the backup camera whose display is integrated in the rear view mirror. It’s small but useful, and we expect this feature to spread like wildfire within the automotive industry.
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| In GT trim, the Tribute seems lightly equipped. |
All V6-powered Tributes also get a standard trailer tow hitch, and towing capacity is 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg). All-wheel drive is also standard on the GT, which is front-wheel biased and can send up to 50% of available power to the rear wheels as needed.
There’s nothing really wrong with the Mazda Tribute, as it accomplishes its duty without complaint and fulfills the needs of many people. As a sport-utility vehicle, it’s much more utility than sport, and different in character than the home-grown CX-7.
We appreciated the 4-cylinder base model. The Tribute GT, however, seems rather expensive at $34,995. Its V6-powered competition is plentiful and competent, including the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain.
If you can skip the heated leather seats, 7-speaker stereo and sunroof, a less-expensive Tribute GX or GS will do the job nicely. And if you’re not towing anything, we recommend the 171-hp 4-cylinder engine instead.
photo:Mazda
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