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2003
Mazda Tribute

Starts at:
$18,455
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2.0L Man DX
    Starts at
    $18,455
    23 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2.0L Man DX 4WD
    Starts at
    $20,155
    22 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 3.0L Auto LX
    Starts at
    $21,840
    19 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 3.0L Auto LX 4WD
    Starts at
    $23,040
    18 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 3.0L Auto ES
    Starts at
    $23,430
    19 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 3.0L Auto ES 4WD
    Starts at
    $24,630
    18 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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2003 Mazda Tribute 2003 Mazda Tribute 2003 Mazda Tribute 2003 Mazda Tribute 2003 Mazda Tribute 2003 Mazda Tribute 2003 Mazda Tribute 2003 Mazda Tribute 2003 Mazda Tribute 2003 Mazda Tribute 2003 Mazda Tribute 2003 Mazda Tribute 2003 Mazda Tribute

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Expert 2003 Mazda Tribute review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

As a kid, I remember arguing with friends about how it was possible that Superman could disguise himself by wearing glasses and a suit. How could people miss that Clark Kent looked an awful lot like the Man of Steel?

The same goes for the auto industry.

For years, automakers have been making the same car with subtle variations — making them into two different models from the same DNA.

Recently, I drove two newer models that have sprouted from other model’s DNA. Here’s a look at them.

Pontiac Vibe

Like the Superman villain Bizarro (who looked somewhat like Superman, but in fact was a bizarre opposite), some might consider Pontiac’s Vibe, with its expressive styling, to be the Bizarro version of the tamer-styled Toyota Matrix.

Both vehicles are five-door hatchbacks that compete with the Ford Focus, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Volkswagen Golf and Protege5. These practical, yet fun-to-drive hatches all offer a fair amount of style and handling that enhance their utilitarian purpose.

The Pontiac, like its Toyota cousin, is based on a Corolla platform and uses the same 1.8-liter double-overhead-cam in-line-four that powers the Toyota Matrix and Corolla.

The Pontiac also has an identical model line-up, with two front-wheel-drive models (130-horsepower base and 180-horsepower GT) and an all-wheel-drive model (strangely, only 123-horsepower) for inclement weather. The front-wheel-drive models can be equipped with either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission (six-speed on the GT), the all-wheel-drive model comes only with the automatic.

The interior of the Pontiac is identical to the Toyota as well, with the same excellent level of fit and finish.

The biggest difference between the Toyota and the Pontiac is the styling. The Pontiac has a much more aggressive look in the Pontiac idiom. Whether that suits is a personal choice. But if you use a roof rack a lot, you may opt for the Pontiac because it is standard equipment.

Having sampled an all-wheel-drive Toyota Matrix, I settled for a front-wheel-drive Vibe. The car’s handling was exemplary and predictable. It was outstanding at delivering a good ride, with only large craters evident.

Cornering grip was excellent as well, making the all-wheel-drive almost unnecessary. While the Vibe wasn’t as much fun to drive as a Ford Focus, it still proved quite agile. Road, tire and engine noise were well-suppressed. The front-wheel-drive version feels a lot more peppy than its all-wheel-drive cousin, but it still needs to be worked to extract power on hills.

As a hatchback, the seats folded, even the front passenger’s seat, to enable one to carry long objects. It was an easy car to love.

This was reinforced at the gas pump, where gas mileage was more than 32 mpg.

Bottom line was a tad over $19,000. Expect to pay another grand for the all-wheel-drive. That’s a real value compared to most SUVs or Crossover Utility Vehicles that offer similar function at higher prices.

Like its Toyota twin, this Pontiac sends out good vibes.

Mazda Tribute

Mazda has spent a lot money trying to tell you that its Mazda Tribute is an SUV with the soul of a sports car and faster than a speeding bullet. Actually, the Tribute’s family lineage has more to do with Mazda’s owners, Ford, than anything coming from the company that pioneered the rotary engine.

The fact is the Tribute shares its DNA not with the upcoming RX8 sports car, but with the Ford Escape.

There are three trim levels, DX, LX and ES. A 130-horsepower four-cylinder engine is standard on all models, with a 3-liter 200-horsepower V-6 available on LX and ES models. Front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive models are available. The Mazda competes with such models as the Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4 and new Saturn Vue.

hese cars all start life as car platforms, yet they’re clothed in SUV accoutrements. All-wheel-drive is available, yet it lacks a low-range gear and other items essential for true off-roading. The Mazda is more for those who fear foul weather.

Still, the Tribute is a tribute to both Ford and Mazda engineers. Visual differences between the Escape and Tribute are relatively minor and easy to miss. The interior shares the somewhat spartan feel of the Ford Escape, but the Tribute also shares the Escape’s handy, utilitarian size.

The 3-liter V-6 and all-wheel-drive proved to be powerful, much more so than its Asian competitors. The Tribute’s handling is tuned to be a bit sportier than its Ford cousin, with a firmer response over bumps. The all-wheel-drive system worked invisibly.

All the essentials were there as well, with folding rear seats, power driver’s seat, an AM/FM cassette/6-CD audio system along with leather and the usual power goodies.

It all came in at around $25,000. Not bad for so much utility.

Conclusion

It never really mattered why people couldn’t see that Clark Kent was Superman. Being a kid, I still loved reading Superman comics. The entertainment value is what mattered.

Whether you can distinguish the Vibe from the Matrix or the Tribute from the Escape doesn’t really matter either. If you like one, you might like the other. If there’s something that bothers you on one vehicle, it may be absent on the other. But being clones, each set shares the other’s core value as a vehicle.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to see how Superman’s latest battle with Lex Luthor ends.

2003 Mazda Tribute review: Our expert's take
By

As a kid, I remember arguing with friends about how it was possible that Superman could disguise himself by wearing glasses and a suit. How could people miss that Clark Kent looked an awful lot like the Man of Steel?

The same goes for the auto industry.

For years, automakers have been making the same car with subtle variations — making them into two different models from the same DNA.

Recently, I drove two newer models that have sprouted from other model’s DNA. Here’s a look at them.

Pontiac Vibe

Like the Superman villain Bizarro (who looked somewhat like Superman, but in fact was a bizarre opposite), some might consider Pontiac’s Vibe, with its expressive styling, to be the Bizarro version of the tamer-styled Toyota Matrix.

Both vehicles are five-door hatchbacks that compete with the Ford Focus, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Volkswagen Golf and Protege5. These practical, yet fun-to-drive hatches all offer a fair amount of style and handling that enhance their utilitarian purpose.

The Pontiac, like its Toyota cousin, is based on a Corolla platform and uses the same 1.8-liter double-overhead-cam in-line-four that powers the Toyota Matrix and Corolla.

The Pontiac also has an identical model line-up, with two front-wheel-drive models (130-horsepower base and 180-horsepower GT) and an all-wheel-drive model (strangely, only 123-horsepower) for inclement weather. The front-wheel-drive models can be equipped with either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission (six-speed on the GT), the all-wheel-drive model comes only with the automatic.

The interior of the Pontiac is identical to the Toyota as well, with the same excellent level of fit and finish.

The biggest difference between the Toyota and the Pontiac is the styling. The Pontiac has a much more aggressive look in the Pontiac idiom. Whether that suits is a personal choice. But if you use a roof rack a lot, you may opt for the Pontiac because it is standard equipment.

Having sampled an all-wheel-drive Toyota Matrix, I settled for a front-wheel-drive Vibe. The car’s handling was exemplary and predictable. It was outstanding at delivering a good ride, with only large craters evident.

Cornering grip was excellent as well, making the all-wheel-drive almost unnecessary. While the Vibe wasn’t as much fun to drive as a Ford Focus, it still proved quite agile. Road, tire and engine noise were well-suppressed. The front-wheel-drive version feels a lot more peppy than its all-wheel-drive cousin, but it still needs to be worked to extract power on hills.

As a hatchback, the seats folded, even the front passenger’s seat, to enable one to carry long objects. It was an easy car to love.

This was reinforced at the gas pump, where gas mileage was more than 32 mpg.

Bottom line was a tad over $19,000. Expect to pay another grand for the all-wheel-drive. That’s a real value compared to most SUVs or Crossover Utility Vehicles that offer similar function at higher prices.

Like its Toyota twin, this Pontiac sends out good vibes.

Mazda Tribute

Mazda has spent a lot money trying to tell you that its Mazda Tribute is an SUV with the soul of a sports car and faster than a speeding bullet. Actually, the Tribute’s family lineage has more to do with Mazda’s owners, Ford, than anything coming from the company that pioneered the rotary engine.

The fact is the Tribute shares its DNA not with the upcoming RX8 sports car, but with the Ford Escape.

There are three trim levels, DX, LX and ES. A 130-horsepower four-cylinder engine is standard on all models, with a 3-liter 200-horsepower V-6 available on LX and ES models. Front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive models are available. The Mazda competes with such models as the Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4 and new Saturn Vue.

hese cars all start life as car platforms, yet they’re clothed in SUV accoutrements. All-wheel-drive is available, yet it lacks a low-range gear and other items essential for true off-roading. The Mazda is more for those who fear foul weather.

Still, the Tribute is a tribute to both Ford and Mazda engineers. Visual differences between the Escape and Tribute are relatively minor and easy to miss. The interior shares the somewhat spartan feel of the Ford Escape, but the Tribute also shares the Escape’s handy, utilitarian size.

The 3-liter V-6 and all-wheel-drive proved to be powerful, much more so than its Asian competitors. The Tribute’s handling is tuned to be a bit sportier than its Ford cousin, with a firmer response over bumps. The all-wheel-drive system worked invisibly.

All the essentials were there as well, with folding rear seats, power driver’s seat, an AM/FM cassette/6-CD audio system along with leather and the usual power goodies.

It all came in at around $25,000. Not bad for so much utility.

Conclusion

It never really mattered why people couldn’t see that Clark Kent was Superman. Being a kid, I still loved reading Superman comics. The entertainment value is what mattered.

Whether you can distinguish the Vibe from the Matrix or the Tribute from the Escape doesn’t really matter either. If you like one, you might like the other. If there’s something that bothers you on one vehicle, it may be absent on the other. But being clones, each set shares the other’s core value as a vehicle.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to see how Superman’s latest battle with Lex Luthor ends.

Available cars near you

Safety review

Based on the 2003 Mazda Tribute base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Nhtsa rollover rating
3/5

Factory warranties

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
4 years / 50,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years / 50,000 miles

Consumer reviews

4.3 / 5
Based on 28 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.4
Interior 4.4
Performance 4.3
Value 4.5
Exterior 4.6
Reliability 4.5

Most recent

  • Mazda tribute 2003

    Bought used mazda2 yrs ago over all its been a good car reliable only a few problems when driving and slow down or stop the motor will race up which is dangerous but it just started doing that still a good car
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Fantastic Car

    I was given a 2003 Tribute at the beginning of my senior year in high school from my grandfather, and despite having...I'd say, 150000 - 180000 miles on the odometer, it ran very well, and still does. My grandfather drove it off the lot new in 2003 and used it for 17 - 19 years commuting back and forth to work, and it has about 205500 miles on it now, and it's running fantastically. You know it's a good car when it can have 180000 miles on it and survive a year plus of a new driver navigating mountain roads both too quickly and too slowly. For a while (as in several years), there was a problem where the engine would shudder violently at a less-than-1000-rpm idle, but that problem seems to have been solved recently, at least for the past month or so.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • very fun rig to drive

    lives up to the zoom zoom reputation of it's era. Bought w/ 105,000 miles am expecting to roll it to at least 200,000, has the reputation to go further. Very happy
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Our workhorse.

    We bought a 2003 4cyl Tribute in 2013 with 105,000km. It has now done 170k. It is used for all the jobs we don't want our Mercedes to do...shopping centre car parks, towing the trailer, taking the boat to the ramp, taking rubbish to the tip. It has been totally reliable and cheap to run, a bit more power would be nice.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Towing
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Very reliable comfortable car

    This car is so nice to drive...roomy..and reliable...I think it is a very safe car and well worth the money I paid for it.highly recommend this car
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • As a Tribute to Mazda, this is a awesome vehicle.

    Purchased my 2003 Tribute new. Still running great in 2019 with 230 K miles. Used for local commute and many out-of-state travel trips with 4 and 5 persons for daughter's basketball tournaments with no problems. Very reliable and strong vehicle. Have newer vehicles in family but just love using my Tribute for most trips and around town chores. Wish they made vehicles like this today.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • I have a 2003 tribute with over 300,000 miles.

    My 2nd mazda. This one is a 2003 tribute with over 300,000 miles. Still on the road and trust worthy. I will probably cry when it dies. Many happy vacations with grand children and great grand. The only costly failure has been the coils. On our 5th set of tires. Everything still works. Send me a new one!!!!!.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    9 people out of 9 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • The car has been very reliable.

    The car has been great on camping, cycling and kayak trips, it holds a lot of cargo and can tow a trailer. We have taken the car on long trips and it has been very reliable.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Mazda tribute

    Perfect fit for me. Smaller than a van yet i can still haul stuff. Smooth driving and great visibility.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Smooth running SUV.

    I have this Tribute since I purchased brand new in 2003. I only had one problem with it within the first year of purchase, the passenger rear brake drum had to be replaced under warranty, otherwise I have had no other problems. There were two small recalls which were taken care of in an hour each. SUV drives great, lots of pep, gas mileage is about 19 mpg.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Decent SUV

    This tribute is my first SUV. I enjoy it. The only downfall is the gas consumption. For a smaller SUV the gas mileage can be iffy. The size is perfect for my needs.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Loved My Tribby

    I bought my 2003 Mazda Tribute LX-V6 used with 220,058 miles on it for $600 (needed spark plugs)and drove it until about 298,347 miles and traded it for a newer nicer one a 2005 Mazda Tribute S V6 4WD I will always own a Mazda Tribute of some kind I love them all
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2003 Mazda Tribute?

The 2003 Mazda Tribute is available in 3 trim levels:

  • DX (2 styles)
  • ES (2 styles)
  • LX (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2003 Mazda Tribute?

The 2003 Mazda Tribute offers up to 23 MPG in city driving and 28 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2003 Mazda Tribute reliable?

The 2003 Mazda Tribute has an average reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2003 Mazda Tribute owners.

Is the 2003 Mazda Tribute a good SUV?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2003 Mazda Tribute. 92.9% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.3 / 5
Based on 28 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.4
  • Interior: 4.4
  • Performance: 4.3
  • Value: 4.5
  • Exterior: 4.6
  • Reliability: 4.5
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