2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid SUV Improves Fuel Economy

Getting seat time in Mazda's new Tribute Hybrid has been long anticipated. For at least a year, Mazda has been providing pre-production Tribute Hybrids to firefighting agencies in key areas to promote the coming of this advanced-technology vehicle and to gain important real-world operating data. Green Car editors were able to drive one of these early examples and have now followed up with a 2008 Tribute Touring Hybrid production version. The experience has been a good one that reinforces the value of Mazda's move toward a more high-tech, high efficiency future.

Mazda's first-ever gasoline-electric hybrid is a welcome and timely addition to this automaker's model lineup. By offering a new hybrid powerplant option in its compact Tribute sport utility vehicle, Mazda enters a popular and growing market sub-segment with sales that are destined to go nowhere but up. SUVs have become the most popular family vehicle over the past decade and, based on the sheer number of these vehicles you see on the highway, the vehicle most in demand for the general population, as well. Sales numbers bear this out.

It may be that there's a reappraisal of SUVs going on, because of high gas costs and concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, which are causing a growing unease with the thought of huge SUVs on the road with one or two occupants. That said, SUVs are high-function vehicles with lots of seating, plenty of room, and substantial passenger and cargo versatility. They're not going away anytime soon. If anything, buyers will be looking toward slightly downsized SUVs or ones that get much better fuel economy through the intelligent use of advanced technologies. The compact Mazda Tribute Hybrid should appeal on both counts.

Time spent behind the wheel proved this hybrid to be well-mannered and quite capable, with its cumulative 155 horsepower supplying all the kick needed for spirited driving. Acceleration is quite brisk and cornering well-handled. The Tribute Hybrid's speed-sensitive power-assisted steering is also a joy and, combined with this SUV's suspension tuned more for performance than luxury, is right on the money for those who want to be more at one with the road than isolated from it. Speaking of money, the suggested retail price of our Mazda Tribute test vehicle was $25,310 plus delivery, quite reasonable for a high-efficiency hybrid SUV.

Ever since the introduction of Ford's Escape Hybrid in 2004, we knew its gasoline-electric hybrid technology was bound to evolve to other models within the larger Ford family. It was not unexpected that the 2006 Mercury Mariner was equipped with this gasoline-electric hybrid powerplant, and now we're not at all surprised with its appearance in the 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid. Simply, the time has come ... and those in the market for a sporty hybrid SUV with sought-after fuel efficiency will benefit from this new choice at the showroom.