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Used Vehicle Review: Mazda's Tribute
Alexandra Straub » Canadian Auto Press
I love to share so I guess my mother taught me well! When I have good news, I want to share it with everyone. Or when I bake an amazing batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, I want to give some to everyone and their dog. And even when I don't have a lot to share, I like to make sure that I give of my substance wherever I can. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. So it's no surprise that whether I'm sharing my baked treats with the world or when two automobile makers like Ford and Mazda share technology, good things come of it. Who doesn't like cookies and cars?! An example of a 'good thing' that has spawned from a Japanese and an American auto manufacturer is the 2009 Mazda Tribute. Well, technically it was the 2001 Tribute as it was almost 10 years back that the two companies decided to put their heads together and debut their first joint venture SUV in 2000 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Arguably, the Tribute is essentially a re-badged Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner (or vice versa) as they look almost identical on the inside and out and are built on the same CD2 platform (meaning a front-wheel drive platform that has the option of all-wheel-drive). While both the Tribute and the Escape look very, very similar, they do have their own distinctive front-end styling. The Tribute's grille, front bumper, fenders and fascia differ from the Escape. On the inside, the dead giveaway that I was sitting in a Mazda was the logo on the steering wheel. In general, the Tribute reeks of Escape DNA. Now, reeking of 'eau de Ford' is not necessarily a bad thing as the 2008 model year of the Escape (and Tribute) included a major overhaul. Included in the revamping was a new interior made with higher quality materials, all-new sheet metal, a new front end (as mentioned above) and higher wheel arches. Styling-wise the 2009 Tribute is a carryover of the 2008 model, but Mazda doesn't stop there.
The 2009 Tributes come with a couple of revamped engines: a 2.5-litre I-4 producing 171 horsepower with 171 lb-ft of torque and a 3.0-litre V6 producing 240 horsepower with 223 lb-ft of torque. Having driven both the 2.5 and 3.0, it's a toss-up of which I liked better. It's nice to have the extra horses that come with the V6, but the four was plenty for the kind of driving I regularly do. It was also nice to have both Tributes come with the 6-speed automatic transmission. While the transmission is an option on the GX model, it comes standard with GT-V6 trim. I did have a little problem with the GT V6, however. A couple times during my test session the engine just shut down! It was quite bizarre. It only happened two times, but it was rather odd since it's never happened to me in a Tribute before. And the two times it happened I was braking for a red light! I'm not really sure what was going on under the hood in those instances, but I'm sure Mazda would cover it under warranty.
New engines aside, these crossovers also receive a 'sporty' new suspension with independent front strut-type and rear multi-link configuration with front and rear stabilizer bars. Throughout my time with the Tributes I found their rides to be quite agreeable, especially for city driving. Where each lacked was in cornering ability. The Tribute, no matter the trim level, didn't feel as firm as it did in previous models. That doesn't mean it was a total dud, but I was looking for the agility I had grown used to in Tributes. Both the GX and GT share the same 16-inch alloy wheels and 235/70R16 all season tires, which were quite grippy in both sunshine and rain.
And speaking of driving in the rain, the Tributes have a great set of safety features that help with traction in slippery situations. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC,) Roll Over Stability Control (RSC) and a Traction Control System (TSC) are standard features on all Tribute models, as is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), even on the base GX model which starts at $22,550. All trim levels across the board come with 4-wheel ABS too, plus Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD) and front, power-assisted disc and rear drum brakes. Just why Tributes come with rear drum brakes must be a cost saving measure. While some say that rear drums are actually more functional for off-roading, most people who purchase a Tribute probably won't be taking it very far into the backcountry. But what you use your Tribute for is up to you!!
While the GX and GT models have a lot in common, there are a few main differences between them. One is the engine; the 2.5L I-4 vs. the 3.0L V6. Another is FWD vs. AWD. And last but not least is the 5-speed manual transmission vs. the 6–speed automatic transmission (although, as mentioned, the 6-speed auto can be had with the four-cylinder). Fuel consumption also differs as the 2.5L I-4 with the 6-speed automatic transmission uses an estimated 10.1L/100km in the city and 7.2L/100km on the highway and the AWD-equipped V6 with the 6-speed automatic uses an estimated 12.1L/100km in the city and 8.3L/100km on the highway. But if you want the extra power from the 6-speed automatic-equipped V6 and the AWD, you can get them with the GX model for a few extra dollars. And by a few extra dollars I mean $1,295 for the 6-speed auto tranny complete with cruise control, $2,400 for the active torque split AWD, and $1,600 for the 240 hp V6 engine.
So if all three of the above options are available on the GX model, why upgrade to GT trim? Well, the GT has a few more bells and whistles other than the standard top-tier engine and transmission. The GT V6 is draped in plush, leather seating surfaces with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats. Furthermore, it's got a great stereo system. Instead of the standard AM/FM CD player with 4 speakers, the GT has an AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with 7 speakers, automatic volume control, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and Sirius satellite radio. It makes for a pretty decent audio experience. Furthermore, the GT comes with a power glass moonroof to let even more light into the nicely-finished cabin. The GT V6 also is more capable in the towing department with its 1,588 kilo (3,500 lbs) capacity in comparison to 680 kg (1,500 lbs). One common thread between the two Tributes is visibility. While it's easy to see out of the front windshield and blind spots, it's less favourable out the rear. The rear window is not very deep so it made parallel parking and reversing difficult. It was tough to gauge distances behind me, which made parking a little bit of a challenge. A rear backup sensor or camera would have come in very handy on either of the models. Otherwise driving the Tributes on a daily basis was rather pleasant. Of the two 2009 Mazda Tributes I drove, it's an easy pick which one I would want parked in my driveway. I'd opt for the GX. Why? Pricewise, it's $8,305 cheaper even with the optional 6-speed automatic transmission ($23,845) compared to the GT V6 at $32,150. And as much as I loved the luxury feel of the leather seats and the quality of the stereo system, the GX suits my life better. I would also add the AWD system to the GX just to give it more of an advantage in winter conditions. So, whether it's the base GX or top-of-the-line GT V6 Tribute that tickles your fancy, they're both great SUVs. It's a win-win situation. |
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