Mazda Tribute Reviews

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Mazda Tribute review covering 2001 - 2004

Wednesday 12 October 2005

The Mazda Tribute is one of the best of the breed of compact 4x4s, a fact not generally recognised by its sales performance. Here is a vehicle that did practically everything you could reasonably demand of a small 4x4 and did it well, but which has been overlooked by British buyers. That may be down to a lack of promotion on Mazda’s part.The Tribute’s low-key approach may well have some justification. With Ford now owning a good proportion of Mazda, it will come as little surprise to learn that the Mazda Tribute and Ford Maverick are largely the same vehicle. Neither of these cars has exactly enjoyed a high profile. Why? Well, it could be something to do with the fact that Ford also own Land Rover, a premium product with big margins. If customers buy Tributes or Mavericks instead of Freelanders, the corporation’s bottom line takes a hit. All of which is great news for the used buyer. Here’s a car for which the asking price is relatively low, enjoys the benefits of major manufacturer development, has parts that are available all over the map and isn’t exactly the same as what Joe Soap from up the road has on his driveway.