A very first look at the new Mazda Tribute Hybrid may have you asking where the ‘zoom-zoom’ is. It certainly isn’t in the outdated looks, lackluster acceleration, or even in the apathetic braking. In reality, the 2008 Tribute Hybrid truly shares a lot a lot more ‘built tough’ qualities with its Ford sibling, the Escape, than it does with the otherwise svelte Mazda lineup.

What the Mazda Tribute Hybrid does supply is impressive fuel economy, up to 34 miles per gallon in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. That’s a very impressive enhance of 12 MPG in the city and a mild improvement of 2 MPG on the highway over the non hybrid Tribute.


Handling is surprisingly crisp and with 155 horses produced by the gasoline-electric engine provide adequate acceleration for city driving but aren’t enough to inspire confidence when passing on the highway. Add to this the mediocre braking and the Tribute Hybrid definitely won’t appeal to the lead-foot crowd.

The interior of the Tribute capabilities small family resemblance to the esthetically pleasing controls and displays found in the ravishing CX-7 or Mazda6. The gauges are clear and feature blue backlighting, but there’s absolutely nothing definitively Mazda about the cabin other than the badges.

Seating is firm without becoming stiff, but the rear seat lacks any kind of fore/aft adjustment producing it potentially uncomfortable. Add to that the multi-step method needed to fold the rear seats down and the interior of the Tribute feels like an anachronism in a contemporary Hybrid.

You can find out far more info about Hybrid Cars at www.prohybrid.com along with video news, reviews, and tools such as cost quotes and an automotive loan calculator.

Hybrid Car Reviews