A Tribute to the Escape
And now for something completely different – the 2008 Mazda Tribute.
Completely redesigned inside and out for 2008, it has a tougher, more capable look and a more pleasing interior.
That makes it different from the previous Tribute, but there’s no escaping the fact it’s still a Ford Escape if you scratch the surface. And it’s still difficult to pick out of a crowd.
Missing are the little things Mazda puts in a vehicle, like the ability to call up an outside temperature reading. You can’t do that in a Ford and you can’t do it here.
The grille looks nicer, though.
Mazda offers its Tribute to the Escape in three trim levels — GS, GX and GT — and a choice of two engines, a 2.3-litre four-cylinder and a 3.0-litre V6.
The test vehicle provided by Mazda Canada was the high-end GT with all-wheel drive and the standard 200-hp V6 that puts out 193 lb.-ft. of torque.
Power gets to all four wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission.
While the Tribute is excellent when the going gets slippery, it’s not by any means an off-roader, so the trick is for the vehicle to help you keep it between the ditches.
And it does that very well, using dynamic torque split all-wheel drive, vehicle stability control and traction control. The AWD system monitors engine, wheel speed and transmission and will automatically send torque to the rear wheels when impending slip is detected. The process is continuous, seamless and automatic, so there’s no selector switch on the dash.
There’s no problem getting away on slippery intersections and maintaining traction once you’re underway thanks to the traction control system. Get a little out of shape on the corners and the stability control moves in to keep you going in the right direction in conditions that might otherwise see you doing donuts.
Nice. It keeps you from hitting stuff.
The V6 under the hood responds quickly when you spur the 200 horses and the four-speed automatic handles the shift work without fanfare. There’s no hunting for the right gear on long inclines and the move from one gear to the next is smooth.
This is not a vehicle that’s going to get your pulse moving with its handling, although it does respond reasonably when asked and the new electronic power steering takes the effort out of parking and manoeuvering
The driving position is high, and big windows provide plenty of viewing area, giving the driver a good look at what’s going on in traffic around the vehicle.
Gauges and switches are well laid out and easy to read under most lighting conditions.
The test vehicle’s headlights provided an excellent view of the road ahead on high beam but were less illuminating on low beam.
GT is the flagship of the line and provides a high degree of comfort and convenience features; for instance, a power moonroof is standard as are all the power amenities you’d want, such as windows, mirrors and seats.
The upgraded seats are comfortable and front seat riders get bun warmers, but hey don’t quite reach the “bake” setting my wife loves so much. She did admit, however, that she welcomed the fact they did take the chill off.
Rear seat passengers have ample legroom once inside, but getting in can be difficult because of the narrow opening between the wheel well and the B-pillar.
The specs say there’s room for three in the back, but that’s not really the case if they’re full-size adults or even kids who are prone to get into the standard “he’s on my side” argument.
Side airbags and side curtains have been added as standard equipment on the passenger protection list.
On the road, the new Tribute is much quieter and smoother than the previous edition. Bumps and hollows are handled with aplomb by the independent coil-sprung suspension and there’s not a lot of road or wind noise that finds its way into the cabin.
On gravel roads, the Tribute held to its course without any tendency to wander. And the cabin proved tight enough that no dust found its way into the interior.
The front disc/rear drum brakes, assisted by standard ABS, effectively scrubbed off speed and helped maintain control on icy surfaces. Good winter tires make a big difference, I might add.
When it comes to loading, the Tribute will handle a fair amount of stuff even with the rear seat in use (there’s 742 mm of space). Fold it down, and you can carry plenty of provisions in the 1,681mm of loadable floor space that’s opened up.
Why, there’s room to put all your gear if you’re planning an escape for a weekend, or a week ... or more.
Fact File
2008 Mazda Tribute GT
As tested, before tax: $32,150
Options: none
Freight: $1,390
Configuration: Front engine/all wheel drive
Engine/Transmission: 3.0L V6/4-speed automatic
Horsepower: 200 @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 193 @ 4850 rpm
Fuel required: 62 litres, regular
EnerGuide fuel ratings (L/100 km): 12.5 city; 9.1 hwy.
Observed fuel economy: 11.3 L/100 km combined
Warranty: 3 years/ 80,000 km (basic), 5 years / 100,000 km powertrain
Competition: Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota RAV4, Saturn Vue
Strengths: Fit and finish, visibility.
Weaknesses: Where’s the Mazda zoom? Too obviously a Ford Escape
Find a dealer that sells the Mazda Tribute
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