2009 Mazda Tribute

Review

The Mazda Tribute HEV sport utility vehicle has a lot going for it: not too big, not too expensive, good pick-up and fantastic

mileage.  Who could ask for more?

In its second year in the US marketplace, the 2009 Mazda Tribute has gained some needed power, going from a 2.3-liter gasoline/hybrid engine to a full 2.5-liter version of Mazda's terrific variable valve-timing MZR inline 4-cylinder power mill.

This peppy engine feels more like a V6 than a four.  Total output using an Atkinson cycle motor and MZR engine pairing equates to 177-horsepower at 6,000 rpm, while torque is rated at 136 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm.

It all works delightfully, as the Tribute HEV has un-hybrid-like acceleration and is, as are most Mazda products, eager to please.  The engine is mated to an electronic CVT transmission that neither hunts nor pecks like many past versions of this technology.  The two electric motors work with the gas engine through a planetary gear set rather than belts, and the result is real-world power and efficiency.

Let's

talk about efficiency.  The front-wheel-drive Tribute HEV Grand Touring edition weighs about 250 pounds more than its gas-powered brethren, at 3,652 pounds and achieves true 34/31 mpg from the 15-gallon tank.  Tribute also has Ford's wonderful new EZ fuel capless gas tank – this is a clone to the Ford Escape, after all.

Because it uses the non-shiftable CVT transmission, it's not easy to figure out constant engine speeds, but suffice to say when on flat pavement the Tribute HEV runs about 2,500 rpm at 80 mph from its 7,000-rpm tachometer.  There is no stated redline on the tach, while the speedometer goes to 120 mph.  With the mileage stated above and tank capacity, one should be able to drive more than 450 judicious miles without needing a refill.

Those would be 450-plus fun miles, as the 2009 Tribute HEV Grand Touring that I tested is a very agile machine.  In addition to its propensity to gallop from a dead start, the Tribute HEV has excellent road manners, thanks to its fully independent

McPherson strut front and rear multi-link (with dual lateral links) suspension featuring stabilizer bars at both ends of the chassis.

The tilting column connects to an electric power steering box that senses engine speed; I find it a bit on the light side, quite typical of Ford-based products, but it hits its marks very well.  Mazda uses ABS-assisted ventilated front power disc brakes up front and continues to fit drum brakes to the rear.  The system includes electronic brakeforce distribution and brings this SUV to a halt without histrionics.

At the top of the Tribute lineup, the Grand Touring model includes sufficient accoutrements to satisfy nearly all buyers.  The sole option missing from our Spark Blue tester is a navigation system.  At the delivered price of $32,365, the 2009 Mazda Tribute HEV Grand Touring has a wide range of standard equipment.

Included

among the standard features are heated power outside mirrors, a one-touch tilt-and-slide power moonroof with sunshade, power liftgate with dual openings, leather seating surfaces, a 6-way power driver's seat with lumbar support and height adjustment (backrest is manual), dual zone climate control, a leather steering wheel with audio and cruise control switches, 6-CD audio system with Sirius satellite radio (6 months free), 110-volt outlet on the center console as well as the customary 12-volt and auxiliary jacks and electrochromatic rear view mirror.

This is one of the more compact SUV offerings on the marketplace, similar in size to the original Ford Explorer.  With a length of 174.9 inches, width of 71.1-inches and height of 70.0 inches riding on a 103.1-inch wheelbase (with 8.3 inches of ground clearance), the Tribute HEV Grand Touring is dwarfed by most in its category, but achieves great space utilization and, thanks to its ecologically grounded drivetrain, incredible mileage for its size and girth.

The low-liftover

hatch swallows 27.8 cubic feet of covered cargo when the three rear seats are in use.  Use the 60/40 fold (by removing the rear headrests and flipping the seat cushions forward) and that cargo space increases to 66 cubic feet.  Rear seat occupants have dual cupholders at the rear of the center storage, their own 12-volt plug with small storage in doors, as well.  There is no rear armrest but the back seats are elevated for better road view.

Safety is important to Mazda, which fits advanced front, front side-impact airbags and front and rear air curtains with roll-over protection for passive security.  Mazda achieved five-star ratings on both front and side crash tests, and it took three stars for rollover protection. 

A roll stability control program augments the traction control system and there is a tire pressure monitoring system for the Tribute HEV's Michelin P235/70R all-season

rubber that rides on 5-spoke 16-inch alloy rims.  A temporary spare lies below the hatch floor, together with tools.  Mazda courtesy beams that include headlights and interior lamps allow safe nighttime ingress and egress.

I put well over 400 miles on this particular Tribute HEV over the course of a week, most of it highway driving.  I found this machine to be lithe with sufficient power, predictable steering and brakes.  It is a very comfortable ride and gives ample information through its trip computer (located lower left of the dash) to satisfy most drivers.  Vision is good all around with very little obstruction at the rear quarters.  I like the lift-glass rear hatch but find both the hatch and posted hood rather heavy to hoist.

The Tribute HEV's interior borders on richness; it's very comfortable and has polished black plastic accents that elevate the luxury quotient.  The driver's window is one-touch down only.  Exterior polished chrome-like plastic accentuates both front and rear corners of the 2009 Mazda Tribute HEV Grand Touring and blue Mazda “ecology” badges allow others to see that the driver is being ecologically sound.

The Atkinson cycle motor that Mazda uses for this vehicle's hybrid drive is also employed by Lexus and Toyota for its hybrid models.  There is very little noticeable changeover from one drive to the other as the car accelerates.  Mazda fits an ECO setting for air conditioning on the hybrid Tribute model that helps keep mileage to its premium level.

Mazda certainly hits the mark with the 2009 Tribute HEV Grand Touring.  One can “tour” easily in this machine with four passengers aboard or haul surfboards to and from the beach using the fitted roof rails.  Easy on fuel, easy on the wallet and even easier on the eye, the Tribute HEV meets today's needs in grand touring fashion.

Really, we've only got one complaint about the new Mazda hybrid, and that's its general lack of availability. For 2009 the Tribute HEV is “being made in a production run of about 300 vehicles and sold in select areas of California” according to the brand's retail website, www.mazdausa.com. So, if you like it you'd best live in California and then pick up the phone with credit card in hand, rather than risk the time needed to run down to your local Mazda store.