Created: 11/29/2007
Video description: Three words: Inexpensive hybrid SUV. 'Nuf said.
2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid Touring Video Transcript
>> It's the Ford Escape's twin. In this case, the Mazda Tribute Hybrid, not the Cabin tech tour de force, but it's got the big 3, inexpensive, hybrid, SUV. Let's check the tech.
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>> The majority of our tech story today is gonna be under the hood, but let me do the cabin first because it's where I'd like to start and there's not a lot here, so it won't take long. No navigation, not like we did an option, it's not just available. We're in the Tribute Hybrid Limited and the limited is limited. There's only so many things you can even get in here optionally and navigation's not one of them for example. Let's do the entertainment. AM/FM, no HD radio available, CD single disk in this version of the Tribute Hybrid. Don't be fooled by the load button it's non-operational. Satellite radio not on our vehicle, but if we had it, it would be serious and the aux jack refers to that guy, right down there, nicely placed right above the little rubberized band veer player and I like this here. A true 120 volt outlet, in other words the inverter is built into the car. You don't have to get one to turn 12 volts into 120. That's just very elegant I think and of course you've got 12 volt outlets you can use also, but that to me is a nice touch especially an SUV. The climate controls are dual, automatic temperature control, so twosomes, left and right, that's kinda nice and inexpensive SUV. On the top is a display that I liked, it's tucked away, so it's kind of, well immune to sun glare and it's very vibrant of that electrofluorescent blue really works for me under a lot of lighting conditions. It's a modern look inside that car now, which brings us over to the gauges, which looked like they're out of a different car. Here in Fischer-Price orange and green is the EV lights right by the fluorescent tech. The tech will often be dead, because this vehicle can run in pure electric mode up to 25 miles an hour for a limited run. And then the gas engine kicks in, so it's blended hybrid, it'll do all gas, all electric or gas and electric depending on the driving mode. So, it's a little more sophisticated than the ones that are just using the electric as a helper motor. There's your gas gauge right next to that is your other fuel, your electric gauge, which brings us to the transmission. Here's where the power arrives, and in this vehicle, it's an electronically controlled CVT, Continuously Variable Transmission. No gears, just a couple of variable pulleys and really tough metal bands, so it always keep the engine in the switch but and when you got a car like this with a little scrawny gas engine, you gotta keep it in a switch but or it's gonna go pit and fall on its face. So, let's go out there and take a look at it. And of course the power plant is a big part of the hybrid stories. Let's get to it. This vehicle delivers 34 city, 30 highway. Remember Hybrids are always flip of what you expect from a gas car. It doesn't primarily will a 2.3 liter in line for a little scrawny motor down here delivering a wimpy 133 horse power and a 124 foot pounds. Nothing to get excited about until you add the electric motor, which has 94 horse power of its own. Bottom line is this thing gets around pretty good and delivers a really good MPG as I mentioned especially considering it's a break on wheels getting pushed through the air. 26,000 is the base price for this touring model, which is a little limited on technology. You can add a rear seat entertainment system for $1200 at a single flip down screen DVD based of course or 430 will get you serious satellite radio.
2008 Mazda Tribute HEV Touring Review
The good: A hybrid powertrain gives the 2008 Mazda Tribute HEV excellent mileage and low emissions in an SUV, with room for plenty of cargo and five people.
The bad: At the Touring trim level, there are virtually no cabin tech options. You can't get navigation, hands-free cell phone integration, satellite radio, or even a six-disc changer.
The bottom line: The 2008 Mazda Tribute HEV Touring has none of the cabin tech we like to see--you will have to get the Grand Touring version for those options. But it is a very practical car, with good interior space and low mileage.
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2008 Mazda Tribute HEV Touring Specs
Manufacturer: Mazda
Part number: CNET2008MazdaTributeHEVTouring
Product Basic Spec
- Multizone climate control
- Standard
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2008 Mazda Tribute HEV Touring Prices
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