2011 Mazda Tribute Review
2011 Mazda Tribute Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Both inline-4 and V6 engines balance power with fuel economy
- good crash test scores.
Cons
- Feels old compared to rivals
- poor braking performance
- lacks high-tech features of crossover competitors
- rear seat doesn't slide or recline.
What’s new
The Mazda Tribute carries over unchanged for 2011.
Edmunds says
The 2011 Mazda Tribute is a rebadged Ford Escape, and more like a traditional SUV than a crossover. And without the Escape's high-tech features, this SUV can't measure up to the new breed of compact crossovers.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2011 Mazda Tribute i Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$173/mo for Tribute i Sport
Tribute i Sport
vs
$184/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
Vehicle overview
It must be tough for the 2011 Mazda Tribute at family get-togethers. Like the red-headed stepchild, this compact crossover sticks out as the oddball among its fellow Mazdas with their rakish profiles, beefy fender flares and wide-mouth grilles. That's because the Tribute has been adopted from a different family. Remove the badges from the Mazda Tribute and what you have is a Ford Escape, except without the Ford's many appealing high-tech features.
The Tribute and its Ford twin date back to the turn of the millennium, and you can tell, as this vehicle's blocky shape and upright driving position are indicative of the truck-based SUVs that used to rule back in Y2K. The Tribute has been thoroughly updated since then with refreshed styling, dramatically improved interior quality and more potent engines, but the underlying vehicle has remained the same. That means it lacks new, now-common features like a telescoping steering wheel or a reclining and sliding rear seat. And it drives with a truck-ish demeanor that seems very un-Mazda-like.
More important, it's also a little hard to fathom why someone would opt for a 2011 Mazda Tribute instead of a Ford Escape, since the Ford can be equipped with a state-of-the-art navigation system, excellent self-parking technology and the innovative Sync electronics interface, which includes cell phone and iPod connectivity along with voice controls.
However, note that the Escape is far from a top pick among compact crossovers. It might have the admittedly appealing option of Sync, but it's still an aging design that lacks many of the beneficial attributes of competitors like the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, 2011 Honda CR-V, 2011 Kia Sportage, 2011 Subaru Forester and 2011 Toyota RAV-4. Either way you cut it, though, this 2011 Mazda is a Tribute to neither its adopted nor birth families.
Performance & mpg
The 2011 Mazda Tribute i models are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 171 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the i Sport, while the six-speed automatic is optional on the i Sport and standard on all others. Front-wheel drive is standard on all Tributes, while all but the i Sport can be equipped with all-wheel drive. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 20/26/23 with all-wheel drive.
The Mazda Tribute s Grand Touring gets a 3.0-liter V6 good for 240 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is standard. In Edmunds performance testing of the identical Ford Escape, a 0-60-mph sprint was dispatched in 8.1 seconds, which is rather slow for a compact crossover with an upgraded engine. EPA-estimated fuel economy stands at 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 18/23/20 with all-wheel drive.
Safety
The 2011 Mazda Tribute comes with standard antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum), stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. In Edmunds brake testing of the Tribute's twin, the Ford Escape, we found that it came to a stop from 60 mph in an unacceptably long 154 feet, which is about 30 feet longer than it should be.
Thankfully, the Tribute and Escape's crash ratings are strong. The government gave them a perfect five stars in all front and side crash categories. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Tribute the top mark of "Good" in the frontal-offset and side crash tests, but the second-lowest rating of "Marginal" in the roof strength test.
Driving
In general, the 2011 Mazda Tribute is pleasant to drive. The electric-assist power steering system delivers good road feel and response, and around corners, this compact crossover SUV provides a good amount of driver confidence. However, if you're looking for the sort of dynamic driving experience indicative of Mazda's other vehicles, you won't find it with this aging, rebadged Ford. At least the Tribute's ride is reasonably smooth. Acceleration from both engines is adequate, though the V6 isn't as energetic as the more powerful upgrade engines found in its many competitors.
Interior
For the most part, the Tribute's cabin is virtually identical to that of the Ford Escape. This isn't really a bad thing, as the control layout and build quality are generally impressive. The straightforward climate and stereo controls are split, with readouts placed high atop the dash in legible blue and white characters. Unfortunately, the Tribute does not offer the Escape's excellent available navigation system or the innovative Sync electronics interface, which includes Bluetooth, iPod interface and voice controls.
The Tribute's front seats are well-bolstered and comfortable, though a tilt-only steering wheel might prevent some from finding an ideal driving position. The rear seat, although roomy enough for adults, has an uncomfortably flat bottom cushion in order to create a flat load floor when the seatback is laid down, and the seat itself is devoid of reclining and sliding adjustments. Folding down the seat is a bit of a chore, as the headrests must be removed and the bottom cushions tipped forward before the seatbacks can be lowered (it's that flat load floor thing again).
Cargo space stands at 31.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 67.2 cubes with the 60/40-split second row folded. This is a bit larger than Mazda's own CX-7 and smaller crossovers like the Hyundai Tucson, but the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 are bigger.
2011 Mazda Tribute models
The 2011 Mazda Tribute is a compact SUV available in i Sport, i Touring, i Grand Touring and s Grand Touring. (These "i" descriptors don't indicate a partnership with Apple; rather they represent the Tribute's four-cylinder engine, whereas the "s" indicates a V6.)
The i Sport comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, foglamps, keyless entry, full power accessories, cruise control (with automatic transmission), air-conditioning, tilt-only steering wheel and a four-speaker sound system with CD player and auxiliary audio jack. The i Touring adds a roof rack, privacy glass, a six-way power driver seat, a cargo cover and a seven-speaker sound system with six-disc CD changer and steering-wheel audio controls. The Grand Touring trims add heated mirrors, a sunroof, heated front seats, leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror and satellite radio. The s Grand Touring gets a V6 and a towing prep package.
There are no factory options available, but it's possible to purchase a portable navigation system and an auto-dimming mirror from the dealer.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average
#17 out of 29 among Compact SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mazda Tribute from 2008-2022.$365/yr
vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.56x/yr
vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).9.8%
vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2011 Mazda Tribute.
5 star(53%)
4 star(27%)
3 star(13%)
2 star(7%)
1 star(0%)
30 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
Function and style
Lots of Utility, 10/22/2009
2009 Mazda Tribute i Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
Bought the Tribute for me and my wife, it has been great, lots of cargo space, fuel economy is exceptional from the 4 cylinder; and it has lots of power considering the other models we looked at with comparable engines. We typically see 29-30 mpg on road trips in West Texas it is primarily flat so cannot speak much of hills but out here it is a great combination of function, fuel … economy and style
5 out of 5 stars
Reliable and VERY Safe
Daniel, 06/23/2021
2010 Mazda Tribute i Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
I am about ten years late for reviewing this car, but for anyone looking to buy one used, I would have to recommend it highly. I bought my Tribute in 2018 with 130k on the odometer. I have had a few gremlins as you would in any used car (ac condenser leak, valve cover gasket, electronic gremlins, all easy fixes). The powertrain had been bulletproof and never left me stranded. I just … drove it from Tennessee to Arizona and back with no problems at 190k. But the real reason I am writing this review is because of the car’s safety. I just got rear ended on the interstate this morning and the car was DESTROYED. I, however, walked away without even a bruise or scratch. It protected me amazingly well. Definitely would recommend. Also, it was practical, comfortable, and surprisingly fun to toss around on a back road for an SUV.
4 out of 5 stars
Overall good/bad ignition problem
Wallace, 04/15/2018
2009 Mazda Tribute i Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
We have been very impressed with the reliability of the Tribute, but an extremely annoying ignition problem that does not allow the car to crank was aggravating. After countless hours of online research and several attempts at repairs, it appears we have conquered the problem. All stemming from an inferior designed ignition module that wears out. Happens with Ford Escape and Ford … Focus also. Should have been recalled. UPDATE, the ignition module did not solve the problem, so I changed the starter. Even though the car would start fine for days, it would still not crank at times. After weeks it seems the new starter did the trick. It must has been something faulty in the starter that made it work intermittently.
2.13 out of 5 stars
Not happy
not happy, 08/18/2010
2010 Mazda Tribute i Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
Can't recommend! The transmission was replaced at 1,400 miles, because it shifted so rough. Thing is it still shifts rough and has very noisy idle. The drive is very noisy also. I am going to trade it in. The upside was the dealership service dept. Was exception. I feel bad their product was so disappointing. Will never buy another Mazda.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2011 Mazda Tribute, so we've included reviews for other years of the Tribute since its last redesign.
2011 Tribute Highlights
i Sport
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $20,555 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $173/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 31.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Tribute include:
- Back-up camera
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
3 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall3 / 5Driver2 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall3 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall3 / 5Driver3 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat3 / 5Back Seat3 / 5
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover23.7%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestMarginal
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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