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2003 Mazda Tribute
Date Published: 7/31/08

2003 Mazda Tribute
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MSRP:
$18,455 - 24,630

Invoice:
$17,248 - 23,008

Class:
Compact Sport-utility Vehicle

CG Award: (What's This?)
2003 Mazda Tribute
Expert Rating Summary
Category ES AWD Rating (See All
Ratings)
Compact Sport-utility Vehicle Average Rating
Acceleration 5 3.7
Fuel Economy 5 4.8
Ride Quality 4 4.1
Steering/Handling/Braking 5 4
Quietness 4 3.5
Controls 5 5.2
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 6 5.3
Room/Comfort (rear) 5 4.1
Cargo Room 7 6.7
Value within Class 10 5.7
Total Score: 56 47.1
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE BUYING RESOURCES
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2003 Mazda Tribute Review
Mazda makes antilock brakes standard on the top-line ES model and adds minor interior cosmetic revisions to this slightly upscale version of the Ford Escape for 2003. Tribute shares its platform and Ford engines with Escape, but has different styling and suspension settings. Like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, Tribute has unibody construction and independent suspension. Sixteen-inch wheels and a rear liftgate with separate hatch window are standard. Tribute offers front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive that lacks low-range gearing but has a dashboard switch that locks in a 50/50 front-rear torque split. The base DX model has a 4-cyl engine with manual transmission. LX and ES models have a V6/automatic combination. For '03, ABS remains optional on the LX and unavailable on DX. LX and ES come with 60/40 split fold rear seatbacks; front side airbags are optional on LX and ES only. The ES has leather upholstery. Tribute's performance and accommodations mirror those of comparably equipped Escapes.
Competition
Though our Best Buys, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Mazda Tribute don't offer true off-road ability, they do mix ride comfort, cargo capacity, and versatility with all-weather traction. The V6 Tribute/Escape offers more power, comfort, and space than any in its class. CR-V has a bit more on-road refinement and cargo space.

Another car-based mini-SUV, Subaru Forester is a Recommended choice. Like the CR-V it doesn't have a low range for serious off-road use, but it blends excellent on-road manners with SUV styling. The Jeep Liberty may lack some of the advantages of more-carlike SUVs, but it leads the pack in off-road ability. It's Recommended as an affordable, capable competitor.
News
Like sibling Escape, Tribute reportedly gets a restyle and a few other changes for 2004, but apparently misses out on the Ford's forthcoming gas/electric powertrain option. A full redesign for both versions is said to be coming for 2006, but could be delayed by Ford Motor Company's current restructuring drive.

Escape outsells Tribute by over 3 to 1, partly because production is heavily tilted toward the Ford and its much larger dealer network. Though the Mazda got off to a good start, sales stalled in 2002, being essentially flat compared with the calendar '01 total.
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