Mazda Tribute History

Mazda Tribute Manufacturer: Mazda Motor Coporation Production: 2001 - present Class: Crossover SUV Body Styles: 5-door Hatchback Engines: Ford Zetec 2.0 I4 (2001-2004) MZR 2.3 I4 (2005-) AJ 3.0 V6 (optional: 2001-) Transmissions: 5-Speed Manual (I4) 4-Speed Automatic (I4, V6) Length: 174.7 inches Width: 72.0 inches Height: 70.0 inches Curb weight: 4-Cylinders: 3181 lbs (2WD MT) 3260 lbs (2WD AT) 3346 lbs (4WD MT) 3408 lbs (4WD AT) 6-Cylinders: 3322 lbs (2WD AT) 3482 lbs (4WD AT) Predecessor: Mazda Navajo Successor: Not Yet Announced Similar Models: Ford Escape Mercury Mariner Shares components with: Mazda MPV Mazda Mazda6 Competitions: Toyota RAV4 Honda CRV Chevrolet Equinox Saturn VUE Jeep Liberty

Mazda Tribute

The Mazda Tribute is a small crossover SUV based on the front-wheel drive Mazda 626 platform. It is the basis for the similar Ford Escape SUV. The Tribute and Escape debuted in 2001, offering front- and all-wheel drive and a choice of a 2.0L Mazda 4-cylinder or Ford Duratec 3.0L V6. It is also sold as the Ford Maverick in Europe with a Ford 2.0L Zetec engine with manual transmission, or 3.0L Duratec coupled to automatic transmission.

One main difference between Mazda Tribute and Ford Escape/Maverick is that Tribute's suspension is tuned for a firmer ride than Escape/Maverick, in order to correspond with Mazda's "Zoom-Zoom" image. The US market Tribute and Escape are built at Ford's Kansas City assembly plant in Claycomo, Missouri.

2001

The Tribute made its debut at the 2000 Los Angeles Auto Show. It replaced the Mazda Navajo (which was retired in 1994), and was sold as "the sports car of SUVs".

Engine options:

• 2.0 L YF I4, 130 hp (95 kW)/183 Nm
• 3.0 L AJ V6, 200 hp (149 kW)/265 Nm

2005

Both vehicles are refreshed for 2005. The base engine is now the Mazda 2.3 L MZR 4, and the top remains the 3.0 L Duratec V6. There will be a hybrid version of the Tribute introduced for the 2007 model year, similar to the already-released Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrids. Engine options:

• 2.3 L MZR I4, 153 hp/152 ft·lbf of torque
• 3.0 L AJ V6, 200 hp/193 ft·lbf of torque