2010 Mazda Tribute Review
Price Estimate: $3,288 - $5,296





+95
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Engines offer a good balance of power and fuel economy, smart interior controls, strong safety scores.
Cons
- Feels old compared to rivals, poor braking performance, second-row seat doesn't recline or slide or easily fold, Sync system not available as on Ford/Mercury competitors.
What’s new
For 2010, the Mazda Tribute carries on unchanged save for a handful of newly standard features, including an ambient temperature gauge for all trims. The Grand Touring version now comes with a garage door opener, a back-up camera and an auto-dimming rearview mirror that contains a built-in display for the back-up camera.
Edmunds says
Despite its attractive styling and solid performance, the 2010 Mazda Tribute (as does the Ford Escape from which it's cloned) lags behind newer and more refined rivals.
For sale near Kingsport, TN
8 listings
- 192,193 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 18 City / 23 Hwy MPG
- Vandalia Auto Sales (524 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Heated seats
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Vandalia, MO
one owner new car store trade
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
20 Combined MPG (18 City/23 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 4F2CY9GG4AKM06155
Stock: M06155
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-12-2025- 109,389 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 22 City / 28 Hwy MPG, Manual
- Ray's Used Cars (564 mi away)
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
- Stability Control
- Aux Audio Inputs
Close
Located in Dade City, FL
Wholesale Vehicle Ad body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
24 Combined MPG (22 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 4F2CY0C79AKM08498
Stock: 08498T
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-16-2025
Vehicle overview
In most respects, the 2010 Mazda Tribute appears to be a fully modern compact crossover SUV. As a clone of the Ford Escape, it shares the same basic set of strengths and weaknesses. In its favor, it has handsome exterior styling, a choice of a powerful four-cylinder or V6 engine and top-notch safety scores. But the Tribute also has a number of small failings, and overall they add up to keep this SUV from truly matching other competitors.
Number one on the list is an outdated interior. The Tribute lacks a few basic features now common among its newer competitors, such as a telescoping steering wheel and an easy-to-fold backseat that reclines and slides fore and aft. Also damning, though, are brakes (discs in front but antiquated drums in the rear) that simply don't have the power to bring the Escape to a stop as effectively as other small SUVs. One other disappointing quality is that the Tribute lacks its sibling's useful "Sync" multimedia interface that allows easy voice control of cell phones and portable audio devices.
In this segment, there are a lot of very good choices, such as the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4 and Mazda's own sporty CX-7. They all have the edge over the Tribute when it comes to overall refinement, braking performance and functionality, while also providing similar performance and crash test scores. And if the Tribute still tickles your fancy after all this, then we'd suggest at least opting for a Sync-equipped Ford Escape instead.
Performance & mpg
All Mazda Tribute models can be equipped with either front- or all-wheel drive. The Tribute i gets a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 171 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the Sport trim; a six-speed automatic is optional on the Sport and standard on the others. The Tribute s versions have a 3.0-liter V6 (good for 240 hp and 233 lb-ft) that comes paired to a six-speed automatic.
Fuel economy with the 2.5/automatic powertrain and front-wheel drive rates 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined. All-wheel drive drops that to 20/26/23 mpg. With the V6 and front-wheel drive, the numbers stand at 19/25/21. The V6 with all-wheel drive rates 18/23/20.
Safety
The 2010 Mazda Tribute comes with an impressive portfolio of standard safety equipment including front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, stability control and traction control. Unfortunately, the Escape is hampered by poor braking performance. From 60 mph, the last Escape we tested stopped in a lackluster 128 feet.
In government crash tests, the Tribute scored five stars in all frontal and side impact categories. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the Tribute scored the top rating of "Good" for frontal offset and side impact crash protection.
Driving
In general, the 2010 Mazda Tribute is pleasant to drive. The electric power steering system delivers good road feel and response, and around corners, this compact crossover SUV remains relatively flat and inspires driver confidence. The ride quality is also smooth, making the Tribute a suitable choice for commuting or hauling the family. Acceleration from both engines is adequate, though the V6 isn't as energetic as the more powerful mills in the Equinox and RAV4.
Interior
For the most part, the Tribute's cabin is virtually identical to that of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner. Unless you're a devout Mazda fan, this isn't really a bad thing, as the control layout and build quality are generally impressive. The 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 innovative Sync electronics interface system that is such a strong selling point in the Escape and Mariner.
The Tribute's front seats are well-bolstered and comfortable. The rear seat, although roomy enough for adults, is flat and devoid of recline and fore-and-aft adjustments. Folding that seat down is a bit of a chore, too, as the headrests must be removed and the bottom cushions tipped forward before the seatbacks can be lowered. Cargo space stands at 29 cubic feet behind the second row and 66 cubes with the second row folded. This is more than what's available in competitors such as the Nissan Rogue and Saturn Vue but less than what's offered by the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
2010 Mazda Tribute models
The 2010 Mazda Tribute is a compact crossover SUV broken down into i and s models that correspond with the four- and six-cylinder engines. The i variant is offered in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels, while the s version is offered as a Grand Touring only.
The base-level Sport comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlamps, air-conditioning, full power accessories, an ambient temperature gauge, cruise control, a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. The Touring adds a roof rack, tinted rear windows, a power driver seat and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. The Grand Touring gains a sunroof, heated side mirrors, leather upholstery, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a back-up camera (with the display shown in the rearview mirror) and an upgraded sound system (with a six-CD changer and satellite radio).
Satellite radio is optional on the Touring, while remote engine start and a towing package are among the items that are optional on all three trim levels.

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Compare 2010 Mazda Tribute trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Tennessee
$141/mo for Tribute i Sport
Tribute i Sport
vs
$150/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
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
$365/yr
vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Frequency
1.56x/yr
vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Severity
9.8%
vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
powered by RepairPal
Mazda Tribute Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Function and style
4.88 out of 5 starsLots 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
Reliable and VERY Safe
5 out of 5 starsDaniel, 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.
Overall good/bad ignition problem
4 out of 5 starsWallace, 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.
Not happy
2.13 out of 5 starsnot 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 2010 Mazda Tribute, so we've included reviews for other years of the Tribute since its last redesign.
2010 Tribute Highlights
i Sport
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $20,405 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $141/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 31.4 cu.ft. |
front wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Tribute include:
- Back-up camera
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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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