2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2.5L 6AT AWD (171 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mazda introduced an upgraded version of the Tribute’s second generation in 2008 and gained a hybrid powertrain.

The car was less of a new generation since it was built on top of the same CD2 platform, but there were significant changes. Finally, the Japanese automaker was allowed by Ford to sell the hybrid version, which was previously available only for its siblings, the Escape and the Mercury Mariner.

Mazda already tried to create its own design language, and for specific vehicles, it did that successfully. Unfortunately, the Tribute had to stick to the car’s main design cues since the SUV was assembled on the same production lines as its Ford and Mercury siblings. When it introduced the hybrid version for the 2009 model year in 2008, the automaker made only minimal changes to lower production costs.

On the exterior, the 2009 Tribute showed the same bodywork as the 2008 model-year vehicle that was introduced in 2007 at the Montreal International Auto Show. There was just a clue on the outside stating that it was an electrified version, and that was on the tailgate. There, Mazda placed the “Hybrid” word under the car’s nameplate, and that was the only visible difference.

Inside, the automaker kept the same overall layout as on the non-hybrid version. Yet, it added an LCD on the center stack showing the hybrid system’s status. In addition, it also told when the battery pack was charging and when it was helping push the car.

The hybrid drivetrain consisted of a 2.5-liter inline-four, running in Atkinson-cycle, helped by a 94-hp electric motor. Its battery pack was placed under the rear floor and was made using nickel-metal-hydride cells. Unfortunately, the fuel efficiency was not that great compared with its gasoline-only powered siblings.