A first look at the new Mazda Tribute Hybrid might have you asking where the ‘zoom-zoom’ is. It certainly isn’t in the outdated looks, lackluster acceleration, or even in the apathetic braking. In fact, the 2008 Tribute Hybrid actually shares a lot more ‘built tough’ qualities with its Ford sibling, the Escape, than it does with the otherwise svelte Mazda lineup.

What the Mazda Tribute Hybrid does offer is impressive fuel economy, up to 34 miles per gallon in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. That’s a very impressive increase of 12 MPG in the city and a mild improvement of 2 MPG on the highway over the non hybrid Tribute.

Handling is surprisingly crisp and with 155 horses produced by the gasoline-electric engine provide adequate acceleration for city driving but aren’t enough to inspire confidence when passing on the highway. Add to this the mediocre braking and the Tribute Hybrid certainly won’t appeal to the lead-foot crowd.

The interior of the Tribute features little family resemblance to the esthetically pleasing controls and displays found in the ravishing CX-7 or Mazda6. The gauges are clear and feature blue backlighting, but there’s nothing definitively Mazda about the cabin other than the badges.

Seating is firm without being stiff, but the rear seat lacks any kind of fore/aft adjustment making it potentially uncomfortable. Add to that the multi-step process required to fold the rear seats down and the interior of the Tribute feels like an anachronism in a modern Hybrid.

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