Mazda Tribute
Mazda Tribute | |
---|---|
Mazda Proceed Levante (Japan) | |
Successor | Mazda CX-7 (Asia) Mazda CX-5 (Americas) Mazda CX-4 (China) |
The Mazda Tribute (Japanese: マツダ・トリビュート, Matsuda Toribyūto) (Code J14) is a
The Tribute and Escape debuted in 2000, offering
One main difference between the Tribute and the Ford Escape/Maverick is that the Tribute's suspension is tuned for a firmer ride than the Escape/Maverick, in order to correspond with Mazda's sporty image. As Mazda had offered "spiced up" models in other segments such as the Mazda3 and CX-7, the utilitarian Tribute was replaced by the more aggressively styled and in-house-designed Mazda CX-5 in North America.[1]
First generation (EP; 2000)
2000
First generation | |
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Jhongli, Taiwan (Ford Lio Ho) Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines (Ford Philippines)[2] Kairouan, Tunisia (IMM) | |
Powertrain | |
Engine | (EPF) |
Dimensions | |
Length | 2001–04: 173.0 in (4,394 mm) 2005–06: 174.4 in (4,430 mm) |
Width | 2001–04 DX: 70.8 in (1,798 mm) 2001–04 LX & ES: 71.9 in (1,826 mm) 2005–06: 72.0 in (1,829 mm) |
Height | 2001–04 DX: 69.3 in (1,760 mm) 2001–04 LX & ES: 69.9 in (1,775 mm) 2005–06: 70.0 in (1,778 mm) |
The Tribute made its debut at the
Japanese sales commenced in November 2001.[3] The Japanese lineup was only available with a column-shifted four-speed automatic transmission. The lineup included the 2-liter LX with two- or four-wheel drive, and the four-wheel drive 3.0 V6 either as the LX or the well equipped GL-X. LX models were also available with a "G package": this included aluminum wheels, side airbags, and tinted glass amongst other extras. In May 2001 a front-wheel drive V6 LX model was added, as was the option of an "L package" (with leather seats and more) on the GL-X version. In October 2001 the "Field Break" special edition was introduced; this leisure oriented model had seats with water-repellant fabric, a front pushbar, and other amenities aimed people with "active" lifestyles.[3]
Engine options:
The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine had
2004 facelift
Both the Escape and Tribute were refreshed in 2004 for the 2005 model year. In Japan, this change took place in December 2003.
Japanese buyers only received a single V6-engined model, as the more powerful four-cylinder engine made the thirsty V6 somewhat superfluous. The V6 came only as a four-wheel drive "Field Break" model. The inline-four was available as an LX (also with front-wheel drive), FB-X, or Field Break.[3] This lineup continued until Japanese sales ended in March 2006 and it was replaced with the similarly sized CX-7.
Engine options:
2006 (Asia-Pacific)
A significantly facelifted version of the Tribute was released in the second half of 2006 for
On the inside, changes included a new floor-mounted automatic transmission shifter, in place of the old column shifter (Asia-Pacific model only;
In 2008, Mazda Australia also discontinued the Tribute, its absence filled by the CX-7 introduced in the previous year. For other Asia-Pacific markets, production was shifted to the
Second generation (2007)
Second generation | |
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Overview | |
Production | January 2007 – November 2011 |
Model years | 2008–2011 |
Assembly | Claycomo, Missouri, United States |
Powertrain | |
Engine |
|
Transmission | |
Dimensions | |
Length | 174.9 in (4,442 mm) |
Width | 71.1 in (1,806 mm) |
Height | 70.2 in (1,783 mm) Hybrid: 70.0 in (1,778 mm) 2008-09 FWD: 67.7 in (1,720 mm) 2010-12 FWD: 67.9 in (1,725 mm) |
In 2007 for the 2008 model year, the Tribute was significantly revamped, like its Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner siblings. Originally set to be renamed the Mazda CX-5, the vehicle kept the Tribute name. The changes were significant, but fell short of a "clean sheet" redesign, as the vehicles remained on the CD2 platform, and kept the existing 2.3 L L5-VE inline-four and 3.0 L AJ V6 engines. Visible changes included all new sheet metal and interior. The interior was significantly upgraded using all new components and higher quality materials, and was generally praised by automotive journalists.[6] However, unlike the first generation of the Tribute, which had unique exterior and interior from its siblings, the new model only differs from its siblings in the "nose" (front fenders, hood, and front fascia), tail lights and detailing. Notable changes to the exterior include a higher belt line and more pronounced wheel arches. Overall the car was designed to look larger and more substantial than the previous model. As a cost-saving measure, rear drum brakes, replaced the previous discs, to criticism from the automotive press.[7][8]
The 2008 Tribute (non-hybrid) was first unveiled at the 2007 Montreal International Auto Show and went on sale in March 2007.[9]
A new addition was the Hybrid model which was previously only available on the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner.
The Tribute received additional major changes to improve performance for the 2009 model year, mostly by way of mechanical upgrades. Most significant were all new engines; Mazda's new 2.5 L L5-VE I4 replaced the 2.3, boosting horsepower to 171 bhp (128 kW; 173 PS) and 171 lb⋅ft (232 N⋅m) of torque at 4000 rpm.[10] Despite increased horsepower, fuel economy also increased by 1 mpg‑US (240 L/100 km; 1.2 mpg‑imp) on both urban and extra-urban cycles. The optional 3.0 L (AJ) V6 was updated, resulting in a 40 hp (30 kW) increase, bringing output to 240 hp (180 kW) and 233 lb⋅ft (316 N⋅m) of torque. It also brought a 1 mpg improvement in fuel economy. The Tribute Hybrid was dropped after the 2009 model year.
Another significant change was the switch to Ford's new
Sales
Within Australia, the Tribute was initially a popular choice of SUV, where it only trailed the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail, and the Subaru Forester. Whilst other territories around the world saw the Ford variant stand dominant, it was Mazda's Tribute that was victorious in Australia by a factor of nearly 2 to 1.[11]
Year | Australian Sales | Australian Rank |
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2001 | 6,638[12] | 30 |
2002 | 6,828[13] | 30 |
2003 | 6,394[14] | 36 |
2004 | 5,426[15] | 46 |
2005 | Out Of 50 | N/A |
2006 | Out Of 50 | N/A |
2007 | Out Of 50 | N/A |
2008 | 9[16] | 262 |
References
- ^ Tingwall, Eric (2011-08-31). "First Drive: 2013 Mazda CX-5 Prototype". Automobile. Source Interlink Media. Archived from the original on 2011-09-07.
- ^ Sarne, Vernon (2012-06-27). "Ford makes 'business decision' to stop manufacturing cars in PH". Top Gear Philippines. Archived from the original on 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
- ^ a b c d "トリビュート(マツダ)のモデル・グレード別カタログ情報" [Catalog information: Tribute (Mazda) by model and grade]. Goo-net (in Japanese). Proto Corporation. Archived from the original on 2019-12-26.
- ^ "Mazda Tribute 2001-2006 review". Samarins.com. 2019-10-12.
- ^ "2005 Mazda Tribute Review". Cars.com. Archived from the original on 2020-11-21.
- Detroit News. Retrieved April 19, 2006.
- ^ "2008 Mazda Tribute s Touring – First Drive Review". Car and Driver. Retrieved 11 January 2009.
- ^ "2009 Mazda Tribute Review". Retrieved 11 January 2009.
- Montreal Gazette. Archived from the originalon March 24, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
- ^ "2009 Tribute". MazdaUSAMedia. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- ^ "Australia 2001: Commodore, Falcon and Toyota Corolla on podium". BestSellingCarsBlog. 22 January 2002. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
- ^ "Australia 2001: Commodore, Falcon and Toyota Corolla on podium". BestSellingCarsBlog. 22 January 2002. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
- ^ "Australia 2003: Ford Falcon teases Holden Commodore". BestSellingCarsBlog. 2004-01-03. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
- ^ "Australia 2003: Ford Falcon teases Holden Commodore". BestSellingCarsBlog. 2004-01-03. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
- ^ "Australia 2004: Commodore undisputed leader". BestSellingCarsBlog. 3 January 2005.
- ^ "Australia 2008: Corolla ahead until July, Commodore saved by Sportwagon version, Toyota Hilux #1 twice". BestSellingCarsBlog. 9 January 2009.