The Mazda Tribute does 23.4 mpg combined (22.1 city, 26.1 highway), which works out to about $1,641 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid does 32 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 19.7 — a difference of $749 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Mazda Tribute engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mazda Tribute ranges from 32 down to 19.7 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $749 a year across 6 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | 34 / 30.7 | 2009–2011 | $1,200 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl Hybrid | 31 / 28 | 2006–2008 | $1,302 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 22.3 / 28 | 2009–2011 | $1,580 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 21.3 / 27.3 | 2005–2008 | $1,620 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 20.3 / 25.3 | 2001–2004 | $1,722 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 17.6 / 23.7 | 2001–2011 | $1,949 |
What that actually costs
The Mazda Tribute burns a gallon every 23.4 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 513 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.137 |
| Fuel per year | $1,641 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,205 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$147 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,746 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mazda Tribute gives up 4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 26.1 out there against 22.1 in town, a 18% drop worth $267 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 22.1 mpg | $1,738 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.1 mpg | $1,471 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4 mpg (18%) | Typical for its type |
How the Tribute changed over the years
The Tribute peaked in 2011 at 26 mpg (25.3 city, 27.7 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2004 at 20.5 — 5.5 mpg apart, or $396 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2011 car does 26. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 25.3 / 27.7 | 3 | $1,477 | |
| 2010 | 25 / 28 | 3 | $1,494 | |
| 2009 | 24.7 / 28.3 | 3 | $1,494 | |
| 2008 | 24.7 / 27.3 | 3 | $1,518 | |
| 2006 | 22.3 / 25.3 | 3 | $1,648 | |
| 2005 | 19 / 25 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2004 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2003 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2002 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2001 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 25 EPA ratings of the Mazda Tribute — 6 engines across 2001–2011. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,746. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mazda Tribute get?
23.4 mpg combined on average — 22.1 in the city and 26.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2001–2011.
How much does a Mazda Tribute cost in fuel per year?
About $1,641 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,205 over five years, or 0.137 dollars a mile.
Which Tribute engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid at 32 mpg, against 19.7 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $749 a year.
Is the Tribute good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Tribute figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Mazda Tribute is $2,746 against the $1,641 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 32 and 18 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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