Vehicle Overview
The Mazda Tribute, a sibling to the Mercury Mariner and Ford Escape, got a significant exterior and interior face-lift for 2008. For 2009, Mazda made a slew of mechanical changes designed to improve performance and efficiency, including new four-cylinder and V-6 engines. For 2011, Mazda says the Tribute carries over largely unchanged. Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels are offered. A hybrid model is listed separately in the Cars.com Research section. The Tribute seats five, and its competitors include the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Chevrolet Equinox.
New for 2011
There are no significant changes.
Exterior
Unlike many other Mazda vehicles, the Tribute does not get a large grille that makes the front of the car look like it is smiling. This is owed partially to the more blocky styling of the Tribute. Exterior features include:
- Standard 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
- Standard fog lights
- Standard power mirrors
- Standard automatic headlights
- Optional heated mirrors
- Optional power moonroof
Interior
The Tribute has seating for five and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. The rear window opens independent of the liftgate. Interior features include:
- Standard air conditioning
- Standard cruise control
- Standard power windows and locks
- Cloth- or leather-trimmed seating
- Available heated front seats
- Available satellite radio
Under the Hood
Tribute buyers get the choice of a four-cylinder or V-6 engine. A manual transmission is standard on the base model, and other models come with a six-speed automatic transmission, which is available on the base model. Mechanical features include:
- 171-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 171 pounds-feet of torque
- 240-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 with 223 pounds-feet of torque
- Five-speed manual transmission
- Optional six-speed automatic transmission
- Front- or all-wheel drive
Safety
Safety equipment includes:
- Standard front, side-impact and side curtain airbags
- Standard antilock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution
- Standard electronic stability system
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