2008 Mazda Tribute HEV Review | Buyer Guide
Mazda Introduces Hybrid Tribute
Like its corporate cousins, the Ford Escape and the Mercury Mariner, the Mazda Tribute now comes with a hybrid power plant. In fact, it uses the same gas and electric combo as the Escape and Mariner.
A 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine and a 70-Kilowatt motor combine to produce the equivalent of 155 horsepower. The system is designed to take advantage of the gas and electric power sources when they are most efficient. Around town, the electric motor does most of the work, so you get the best gas mileage in this environment—up to 34 mpg. The motor even shuts down to save energy when you are stopped at a traffic light.
At speeds above 25-mph, the gasoline engine comes into play. And, when a burst of power is needed, both the gas engine and the electric motor work together. A process called regenerative braking insures that there is always electrical power. When you hit the brakes, or even when you are just coasting, energy flows back into the battery.
The Tribute comes with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Transferring power to the wheels is a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). This tranny uses a series of planetary gears to get the job done. Out on the road, the CVT feels a little unusual at first—there’s not much sensation of acceleration, since there’s no shifting of gears in the conventional sense. However, if you stomp on the gas, the Tribute will get you up to 60 in about 10 seconds.
In other respects, the hybrid (called the HEV by Mazda) is similar to other Tribute models. It’s easy to misplace this SUV in a crowded parking lot. It received new sheet metal for 2008, but it still looks generic. The interior also got a facelift, and this was more successful. The cabin is bright and airy. The dash gets a two-tone treatment, and glossy black trim on the center control panel and console. Radio and climate controls are neatly arranged and easy to use. The seats aren’t overly attractive, but are environmentally friendly, using 35-percent recycled yarn.
The Tribute seats five with sufficient head and legroom fore and aft. Rear seat passengers sit a little higher than those in front, so that they have a good view of the road. A 27.8 cu.-ft. cargo area resides behind the backseat. That’s a decent amount of room, considering that the battery pack for the hybrid system is crammed in under the floor. Storage space can be expanded to 66.2 cu.-ft. by folding down the rear seats, but that involves a tedious three-step operation.
Out on the road, the Tribune displays decent handling characteristics. You’ll feel some body-lean in tight turns, but overall this SUV feels sure-footed. The ride quality is a mixed bag. The Tribute is smooth, for the most part, on the freeway, but delivers sharp jolts and a choppy ride on city streets.
Mazda offers the Tribute HEV in two levels of trim, Touring and Grand Touring. My test vehicle was the Touring and it had a base price of $25,905
Snapshot Review
Hybrid Technology
Good Gas Mileage
Generic Styling
