Mazda’s ‘Tribute’ to quality
Don's Take
Marketing Department Columnist
With all the fuss Mazda has made lately over its CX-7 and CX-9 crossover sport-utes, it’s easy to overlook its original crossover, the entry-level Tribute.
Small wonder: Mazda tweaked and reconfigured the Tribute for the first few years of its existence, then suspended production for the 2007 model year.
The Tribute that emerges for 2008 retains the original’s essential ingredients, but receives a substantial freshening. The exterior is more assertive, the interior more deluxe.
Engine and transmission choices are unchanged, but the Tribute picks up some key safety enhancements. Stability and traction control systems are standard now, as is a full set of airbags, including full-length curtain-style bags.
The Tribute is available in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, with a choice of four- and six-cylinder engines and either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
With its base price of $19,495 (including destination), the Tribute is priced below the slightly larger and vastly more powerful CX-7 (from $24,345).
What hasn’t changed is perhaps more important than what has – Mazda positions itself and its vehicles on the sporty end of the spectrum and the Tribute’s claim to fame has always been its nimble handling and car-like ride.
That hasn’t changed.
Mazda says the Tribute appeals to buyers who prefer the look of a traditional SUV. And that’s what they get.
Mazda dolled up the Tribute for its re-launch but it eschews the sleek and flowing look of its siblings. The most significant changes are up front, where a new grille and bumper assembly and sweeping new halogen headlights accentuate the Tribute’s width. The hood and mirrors are new.
Mazda designers raised the beltline, which serves to de-emphasize window height and lower body cladding, which are now mere shadows of their former selves.
These updates modernize the Tribute without shifting it over into the more fashion-forward realm the CX-7 occupies.
Just a hunch, but I’m guessing that the next Tribute, if there is one, will gravitate toward the CX-7. It’s a family thing.
To my eye, interior upgrades are a mixed bag. The quality of the seat fabrics is substantially improved – Mazda boasts this is the only nonluxury SUV on which vinyl seats are not offered – and overall fit-and-finish is good.
I was not charmed by some of the materials choices. The high-gloss plastic surrounding the center console might work in the proper context but seemed out of place contrasted with the gauge panel’s pebbly beige trim.
As always, your mileage may vary.
A plethora of storage bins – including one in the center console large enough for a laptop – is scattered about the interior.
The gauges and instruments glow a cool blue at night and the instrument panel is nicely arranged, although the black-on-black look can make it difficult (impossible when wearing sunglasses) to find what you’re looking for at first glance.
Standard equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, CD player and auxiliary jack.
The Tribute is reasonably comfy for four adults (there’s no center-position headrest) and there’s no third-row seat to clutter things up. Even with both sets of seats in their upright position, decent cargo room remains. Collapsing the split-folding second-row seat requires multiple moves, including the removal of the headrests.
The Tribute is available in four trim levels – Sport, Touring and Grand Touring – and in “i” (four-cylinder) and “s” (six-cylinder) iterations. Front-wheel-drive is standard, full-time 4WD optional.
Both engine/transmission combinations are available on all trims (although you’d be hard-pressed to find a six paired with the manual). The 4WD system, which by default routes power to the front wheels, can be paired only with the automatic transmission.
Like a growing number of systems, Mazda’s Active Torque Control Coupling (ATCC), reads a variety of system inputs to redirect up to 50 percent of the power to the rear wheels.
Both engines are carryovers. The 2.3-liter four makes 153 horsepower and the 3.0-liter V-6 is rated at 200 hp. Both use variable valve control to broaden their power bands. Our six-cylinder Touring s tester accelerated vigorously, but gives up some serious power to its major competitors.
A hybrid version was expected before year’s end, but hasn’t yet appeared.
Mazda uses four-wheel independent coil-spring suspension, with front and rear sway bars, to give the car-based Tribute its sterling handling characteristics. It may look like your standard upright SUV but it’s configured to provide a controlled ride even during high-speed maneuvers.
The stability control system helps prevent skids and sensors minimize the rollover potential, although the Tribute earns four out of a possible five stars in rollover testing.
Another disappointment: Mazda replaced the previous edition’s rear disc brakes with drums. Still, all Tributes have anti-lock braking systems and the cost-cutting measure is unlikely to only impact those who tow.
With a handful of updates, Mazda has managed to give its entry-level crossover a new lease on life. Consider it a value-leader from a company that knows how to make driving fun.
