Road Tests: Long-Term Test

Video highlights of this vehicle

This month, our Mazda Tribute was entrusted to resident sport-ute lover and road test editor Ed Hellwig. He was anxious to see just how Mazda's "Miata-bred" SUV compared to the numerous mini-ute competitors he's driven as of late.

Like most members of our staff, the first thing Ed noticed was the Tribute's strong engine that moves the little four-door with authority. "This thing just flies down onramps. There's tons of torque just about everywhere in the powerband, making passing and merging easy," Ed wrote in his notes.

Apparently, the power was just a little too intoxicating, as Ed's lead foot contributed to average mileage of just 17.5 mpg this month. Other editors have noted in previous updates that a heavy foot will incur poor mileage, so if the gas-sipping nature of most mini-SUVs is something of importance to you, the Tribute might disappoint.

On the safety side, recent government crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Tribute a five-star rating in three out of four categories (Frontal Crash driver, Side Impact Front and Rear) and a four-star rating in the fourth (Frontal Crash passenger). This may sound like good news, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the only other independent organization that conducts crash testing, gave the Tribute a "Marginal" overall rating (second lowest), not exactly a resounding affirmation of NHTSA's results.

Confusing crash ratings aside, Ed thought the Tribute exhibited a solid feel on the road. "In many of the mini-SUVs I've driven, you're constantly reminded of the 'mini' nature of the vehicle. In the Tribute, it just feels like a slightly smaller version of the Explorer. There's a heaviness that makes it seem bigger than it is. Personally, I like it, but again, those looking for a more car-like feel might not like the Tribute's more substantial weighting."

Much has been said about the Tribute's on-road capabilities, and Ed's observations weren't much different. "The steering is nice and quick, with a good feel to it. The lack of body roll makes it seem more capable than it probably is, but it's fun to toss around nonetheless — not something you can say about most SUVs," he wrote in the logbook.

Driving a sport-ute often described as "cute" wasn't exactly Ed's favorite thing in the world, but after a few weeks with the Tribute, he began to appreciate the positive aspects of the downsized SUV. "It wasn't long before I realized how convenient driving a smaller vehicle like this is. The Tribute was able to squeeze into parking spaces that even midsize SUVs would have trouble getting into. In space-crunched Los Angeles, maneuverability like this makes a big difference," he wrote.

Despite the downsized dimensions of the Tribute, Ed found that it was still able to swallow awkward long items with ease. "I went to the hardware store to pick up some long window shades and blinds. I contemplated waiting until I had a truck, but instead brought the Tribute. I dropped the second-row seats, and everything fit with ease. I couldn't help but think to myself, 'How often would I really need much more cargo space than this?'"

Less impressive was the Tribute's bland interior. Most of the criticism was targeted toward the numerous plastic pieces and otherwise featureless design that showed little attention to detail. "Granted, this is no luxury SUV, but even Ford's econobox Focus has some element of style to its interior," Ed commented. "A friend of mine got in the car and the first thing he said was, 'Is this is a rental car?' That just about sums up the overall look of the Tribute's interior."

Overall, Ed's impression of the Tribute was overwhelmingly positive. Horsepower junkies like himself can't help but love the gutsy engine, and the tight handling is just icing on the cake. Even with the low-buck interior, he found the Tribute reasonably comfortable for day-to-day duty. Its most positive attribute? Maneuverability in tight spaces combined with the ability to remain functional in terms of cargo room and passenger comfort. The worst aspect? Mileage that will make you think you're still driving a midsize SUV.

Current Odometer: 13,301 miles
Best Fuel Economy: 20.7 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 15.6 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (Over the Life of Vehicle): 18.2 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: None