What is it? An updated sibling of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, the Tribute hybrid makes its debut in Detroit. As with the other triplets, this full-hybrid Tribute can run on battery power alone. Among the notable updates, the Tribute uses higher-quality interior materials than the outgoing model, according to Mazda.
CR's take: After a six-year run, it would be appropriate to expect a complete redesign of the Escape and its sibling, but it's only a freshening. The new snout makes it look like an Explorer. The good news is that stability control, which should help rectify the tip-up in Federal Government roll-over tests is part of the freshening. Compared to the four-cylinder and V6s offered from some of the competition, Ford's carryover engines aren't all that impressive. Interior fit and finish, a sore spot of the Escape, doesn't seem like much of an upgrade. All three variants go on sale in May 2007. The Mazda Tribute will finally get a hybrid version.
What is new or notable: Not much. It's a welcome update of a popular small SUV that returned good fuel economy in our tests.
