2010 Mazda Tribute

• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability
• Photos & Videos

Performance - What the Auto Press Says

Reviewers have lukewarm opinions on the 2010 Tribute's performance and powertrain, though everyone agrees that is has very good fuel economy numbers. For better driving experiences, consider the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester.

• "Pleasant, given the age of its basic design. Bumps are heard more than they're felt. Some float is noticeable at highway speeds, but it's not bothersome." -- Consumer Guide
• "The Mazda Tribute is a compact SUV known for its sporty handling, carlike ride, surprising V6 performance and rewarding value for the money. It's always been more of a car masquerading as a truck than vice-versa and feels nimble and sure-footed as long as you stick to the pavement." -- Edmunds
• "Riding on the same platform on which it was introduced for the 2001 model year, the Mazda Tribute doesn't match the levels of overall refinement offered by so many of its fresher competitors." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "This hybrid SUV gets the job done quietly and smoothly, and I don't really have a negative thing to say about it. That's not to say that my family and I fell in love with it; the Tribute Hybrid lacks that bit of flair or personality that makes a car memorable." -- Mother Proof

Acceleration and Power

An increase in horsepower for 2009 helped alleviate many reviewers' past concerns about the Tribute's underpowered engines. It features two engine choices -- a 171-horsepower four-cylinder base engine or a 240-horsepower V6. Reviewers find them adequate, though they're underpowered compared to top rivals. The Toyota RAV4's engines, for instance, make 179 and 269 horsepower.

At any rate, the Tribute's high fuel economy is a plus. According to the EPA, the 2009 2WD model with four-cylinder engine and manual transmission achieves 22/28 mpg city/highway -- which matches the RAV4's most efficient engine. The least efficient Tribute, the 4WD model with automatic transmission, achieves 17/24.

• "The 4-cylinder provides better than expected acceleration, even with AWD. The transmission shifts smoothly and kicks down quickly for more power. The 240-hp V6 and 6-speed automatic transmission makes for a very responsive compact SUV. The transmission is the highlight of this powertrain, providing smooth upshifts and snappy downshifts when needed." -- Consumer Guide

Handling and Braking

Reviewers are split on the Tribute's handling. Some say it's surprisingly car-like, while others find it bumpy and uncomfortable.

• "Body lean in turns is well controlled. The steering feels overboosted and numb, especially at low speeds. A tidy turning radius helps in low-speed maneuvering." -- Consumer Guide
• "Like many of its compact peers, the Tribute is easy to drive and easy to live with on a daily basis. While the suspension never feels overly soft or 'floaty,' spirited cornering does elicit noticeable, but not unexpected or extreme, body lean." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "Handling is respectable, with the SUV remaining flat through corners and composed in quick transitions. Ride quality is relatively smooth, making this SUV a suitable choice for commuting or hauling the family around." -- Edmunds
• "Specifically, we were disappointed with the spongy brake-pedal feel and even spongier steering. Making matters worse were two handfuls of torque steer (ours didn't have the optional four-wheel drive), gobs of road noise, and an unbecoming susceptibility to freeway tramlining, the latter making one particular shot from L.A. to San Diego a two-hour white-knuckle experience." -- Car and Driver