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Road Tests: Long-Term Test
Long-Term Test: 2001 Mazda Tribute ES-V6
January 2002
By editors at Edmunds.com
Date Posted 12-16-2002
Video highlights of this vehicle
A minor fender-bender that damaged the front bumper sidelined our Tribute for
a short while this month. We're not sure exactly how it happened, but the front
bumper needed to be repaired and repainted. We took the truck to Paintless Dent
Professionals in Irvine, Calif., where 48 hours and $340 were required to make
the Tribute good as new.
Our CEO's daughter spent some time in the spy little Mazda this month. She, too,
owns a Tribute ES-V6 with 4WD, and drives it during her daily commute in Chicago.
During visits to California, she likes to grab the keys to a familiar friend.
That says plenty about the Tribute's appeal.
"Mazda has developed a loyal customer in me," she said, commenting on her affection
for the company's Zoom-Zoom marketing campaign. She and her husband took our Tribute
on a sightseeing trip to Santa Barbara, enjoying the robust power from the engine,
the high seating positions and the smooth ride quality. Back home in Chicago,
the couple has been using their own Tribute to move new stuff into their apartment,
noting that it's exceptionally easy to fold the rear seat to maximize cargo space.
Managing Editor Bryn MacKinnon also drove the Tribute this month, replacing her
trusty Honda Civic for weekend errand-running in metropolitan Los Angeles. She's
no fan of SUVs, but found the Tribute agreeable enough, appreciating its rugged
good looks, seat comfort and outward visibility.
Like many drivers before her, she carped about the way the stereo's volume knob
is located behind the gearshift when the Trib is placed in drive. "My carpal tunnel-afflicted
right wrist complained about it, too," she wrote in the logbook. She also wished
for grocery bag hooks in the cargo area, calling them "the most important automotive
innovation since the catalytic converter."
Other complaints about the Tribute are few. We noted again this month how quickly
the fuel tank can be sucked dry by the powerful V6 engine, and also noticed that
city mileage under a heavy foot is truly awful. Our worst fuel economy reading
this month measured 12.8 mpg in heavy city driving. That's about what one could
expect from a Ford Explorer equipped with a V8!
But when a hole opens up in traffic, that thirsty V6 has no qualms about delivering
the power it takes to fill it. And for some people, that power versus fuel economy
trade-off is worthwhile.
Current Odometer: 24,155
Best Fuel Economy: 22.0 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 12.8 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 18.1 mpg
Body Repair Costs: $340 (repair and repaint front bumper)
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: None
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