CD Article: 2008 Mazda Tribute

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Test Drive:

GT V6 all-wheel drive
The Mazda equivalent of the Ford Escape gets new styling inside and out for 2008, plus new standard side airbags, curtain airbags, and traction and stability control with roll-over sensor on all models, reports Editor-in-chief, Greg Wilson.  "Perhaps the biggest news is that the price has gone down, despite the substantial upgrades," he says.  
   
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[random006]

First Ford drops prices on the Escape, now its stablemate from Mazda does the same.  Makes sense.  Such a move will almost certainly put pressure on its competitors to either drop as well or offer more for the current prices.

[Loudpedal]

Even though I lambasted the new Escape, I don't mind this version.  The GT seems a half decent value for what you get, mind you I think the guages look ultra cheap. 

I don't know if I'd buy it though.

[Leviathan]

A bunch more safety features at a lower price - could be worse. Ford & Mazda dropped the 4WD 5 speed models for some reason though 

the 153-hp four-cylinder motor isn't really powerful enough for this size of vehicle

Not true. Having driven a 2006  for a year now I can say it has plenty of power for city driving/highway merging and even when loaded with 3 adults + golf clubs & luggage 3rd gear passing 80-120Km/h wasn't a problem.

[rayzeroo]

The article states that the Tribute has only a 3 year 80,000km basic warranty.  Based on Mazda Canada documentation (brochures), there is an additional 5 year 100,000km powertrain warranty as well.

Definitely good value in this vehicle and with the discontinuation of the funky 2 tone interior, should be a decent seller this year.

[random006]

One curious step backwards, though.  To lower the back seats properly, you have to remove the headrests.  I have this annoying "feature" in my Sorento and I intend to move away from it in the next car I buy.

[Guy]

It's good that Mazda and Ford start to recognize that the canadian dollar is worth more than .65$ US these days!

[MX5 Miata Guy]

Ugh...  Ford won't kill the Escape, as it's their No1 selling SUV.  Mazda doesn't want it, as they have their own CX-7 and CX-9 SUVs...but they're desparate for a Hybrid, so they kept the 2nd gen Tribute so that they can dove-tail in a hybrid version (same as the Escape hybrid) in a year or two.

Why won't Mazda break from the FoMoCo re-badging (B-series too)!?!?!?!

[Leviathan]

It's been covered before but the Tribute is in the line-up because it is about $9,000 cheaper than a CX-7 on the entry models MSRP. Also, it costs  a lot less to put a few different parts/options on an Escape and call it a Tribute than to bring an all-Mazda design to production. Perhaps we'll see a CX-5 some day but until then there is the Tribute 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I like the 2 tone dash, but not in its current packaging because that's the only place where it is! They should also have put inserts in the doors and/or seats, because does look odd as it stands.

Good to see them drop pricing closer to transaction prices. They are good value.

[Leviathan]

One curious step backwards, though.  To lower the back seats properly, you have to remove the headrests.  I have this annoying "feature" in my Sorento and I intend to move away from it in the next car I buy.

Yep. I don't fold the seats that much so removing the headrests isn't all that painful. However, when the seats are down the centre console lid binds on the bottom cushions so it is difficult to open fully.

[Benhaze]

One curious step backwards, though.  To lower the back seats properly, you have to remove the headrests.  I have this annoying "feature" in my Sorento and I intend to move away from it in the next car I buy.

Material Cost reduction action, same as replacing rear discs with drums. At least some of the savings are shared with the customer, for once.

Even if I'm a big Mazda fan, I'm not sure why I wouldn't buy an Escape over a Tribute should I be interesting in these two. I prefer the new Escape design and there are many more Ford dealers than Mazda dealers to choose from when you'll need service to be done.

[initial_D]

Just seen the pics of the Tribute for the first time, don't really like it, the exterior kinda Fordish looking, not impressed with the interior layout either. Oh well, I am not their targeted would-be buyers anyway.