Long-Term Test: 2001 Mazda Tribute ES-V6

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(Enlarge photo)
Although noticeably low-buck on the inside, our Tribute still looks as sharp as ever on the outside despite topping the 20,000-mile mark last month.

VEHICLE TESTED

2001 Mazda Tribute ES-V6 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
(vehicle detail)

Base MSRP of Test Vehicle: $23,540 (including destination charge)

Options on Test Vehicle: ABS w/Side Airbags ($495); Luxury Package ($1,090 - includes AM/FM stereo, cassette player, six-disc in-dash CD changer, seven speakers, digital clock and power sliding moonroof); Towing Package ($350 - includes Class II towing preparation, trailer hitch receiver w/3,500 lb. capacity, engine oil cooler, wiring harness).

MSRP of Test Vehicle: $25,475 (including destination charge)

Price Paid: $25,521

Selling Dealership: Galpin Mazda, Van Nuys, CA

NAVIGATION

	Introduction
	January 2001
	February 2001
	March 2001
	April 2001
	May 2001
	June 2001
	July 2001
	August 2001
	September 2001
	October 2001
	November 2001
	December 2001
	January 2002
	February 2002
	March 2002
	April 2002
	May 2002
	June 2002
	July 2002
	August 2002
	September 2002
	October 2002
	November 2002
	Wrap-Up

Road Tests: Long-Term Test

Long-Term Test: 2001 Mazda Tribute ES-V6
September 2001
By editors at Edmunds.com
Date Posted 12-16-2002

Video highlights of this vehicle

The end of summer is typically a hectic time around the Edmunds.com offices. As the old cars get pushed out, the new stuff comes flooding in, leaving precious little time to drive our fleet of long-term stand-bys. Such was the case for Road Test Editor Ed Hellwig who, although assigned the Tribute for the entire month, barely managed a week behind the wheel.

Having already driven the Tribute for a month previously, his few short stints behind the wheel only served to reinforce what he had learned the first time. As he has said before, "This thing flies. There's power just about everywhere. It has as good of an engine as you could hope for in a mini-SUV."

With a recent mini-ute comparison test under his belt, Ed's time in the Tribute did give him some additional perspective on some of the Tribute's various highs and lows. Although he never saw the Tribute's interior as anything but average, comparing it directly to other vehicles in the class really hammered the point home. "There are virtually no interesting design elements anywhere. It's all supremely functional, which I like, but they could have at least put a little effort into making it look good."

Overall material quality was another sore point. "Everything is just cheap gray or black plastic. The seats feel OK, but they hardly look nice. This is a $25,000 vehicle, not a $10,000 econobox; it should look a little more upscale for that kind of money," Ed wrote in his notes.

All nitpicking aside, Ed's overall impression of the Tribute was still favorable. "It's certainly not perfect, but for most people, it will seem very close to it. Other than the bland interior and occasionally heavy steering, there's not much wrong with the Tribute. For anyone looking for a solid all-around mini-sport-ute with a little bit of everything, the Tribute wouldn't likely disappoint."

Current Odometer: 20,686
Best Fuel Economy: 18.8 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 11.8 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 18.6 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: None