The 2008 Mazda Tribute has been redesigned on the outside and inside, although the engines and chassis are the same. Built by Ford with Mazda tweaks, and a fraternal twin to the Ford Escape, the Tribute took model year 2007 off but it's back for 2008 and offers more value than before.

Tribute s models use Ford's Duratec 3.0-liter V6 that makes 200 horsepower and 193 pound-feet of torque. It achieves an EPA-estimated 18/24 mpg City/Highway with 2WD and 17/22 with 4WD. It's a smooth engine that works well in the Tribute with its four-speed automatic transmission. Many competitors have (and need) a five-speed automatic, but we found the four-speed in the Tribute to be adequate.

Tribute i models use Ford/Mazda's proven 2.3-liter four-cylinder, the same engine that powers the Mazda3, and is popular in race cars because of its potential to make big horsepower. In the Tribute, it delivers a modest 153 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque. It gets better fuel economy than the V6 and costs about $2000 less. Tribute i Sport is available with a manual transmission. It's EPA-rated 20/26 mpg with two-wheel drive and the four-speed automatic transmission, 22/28 with the five-speed manual (either transmission is standard), and 19/24 with optional all-wheel drive with the automatic.