After years of jealously watching parent company Ford Motors having success with its Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Mazda finally gets what it should have had all along: a hybrid version of the mechanically identical Tribute. This is the company’s very first hybrid vehicle.

The Tribute Hybrid is basically a revamped Ford Escape Hybrid, using the same hybrid engine and almost the same interior. An interesting fact is, that the Mercury Mariner is almost the same vehicle as the Escape Hybrid too. Since the debut of the Tribute Hybrid, buyers can choose three design of the same car. Interesting, isn’t it?

The Mazda Tribute Hybrid

The Tribute Touring HEV 2WD (front-wheel drive) is equipped with a 2.3-liter hybrid engine that achieves 34 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The Tribute Hybrid offers the same engine as the Escape Hybrid, the only difference is the horsepower. While the Tribute has a combined 133 horsepower, the Escape’s powertrain offers 155 horsepower. The Tribute Hybrid has a Grand Touring, a four-wheel-drive, variant too, which is powered by a standard 2.3-liter, 133-horsepower, hybrid engine that gives the owner 29 mpg on city streets and 27 miles per gallon on the highway.As the Escape Hybrid, the Tribute Hybrid can driven at speeds up to 25 mph on electric power.

The Mazda Tribute Hybrid

The 2008 Tribute Hybrid did very well on crash tests, leading to a good safety score. The Tribute earns for four out of five stars for driver safety and a top score of five stars for passenger safety in frontal crash tests. The 2008 Mazda Tribute is equipped with front air bags for driver and passenger as well as side air bags and side curtain air bags.

Pros:

Excellent value among contenders; quiet ride; handles very well; great fuel economy for an SUV; spacious interior; huge federal tax credit.

Cons:

Air-conditioning requires the engine to be on; weird brakes; no stability control.

MPG: Touring 34 City / 30 Hwy, Grand Touring 29 City / 27 Hwy

MSRP: $25, 485 - $29,745