- Newest year: 2006
- Gas
- Hybrid
- Standard SUVs
2001-2006 Mazda Tribute MPG & Fuel Cost
6 model years · 17–27 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 9 of 10 standard SUV configurations, MY2006. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2001-2006 Mazda Tribute at a glance
The 2001-2006 Mazda Tribute covers 6 model years in the EPA database (29 configurations in all), rated 17–27 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2006, costs about $2,420 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Hybrid 2.3L 4-cyl 4WD (27 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Powertrains over the years: gas and hybrid. EPA changed the ratings in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. The best combined rating in the generation, 27 MPG, was reached in 2006.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2001-2006 Mazda Tribute by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Gas, Hybrid | 19–27 MPG | $2,420–$3,440 | Ratings changed |
| 2005 | Gas | 17–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,840 | Ratings changed |
| 2004 | Gas | 18–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,630 | Ratings changed |
| 2003 | Gas | 18–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,630 | Ratings changed |
| 2002 | Gas | 18–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,630 | Ratings changed |
| 2001 | Gas | 18–23 MPG | $2,840–$3,630 | First year |
What the 2006 Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$237
$2,840 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.73
Per 100 miles
$18.93
Five years
$14,200
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the standard SUV median
$1,240less a year
Class median $4,080 a year, MY2006
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2006 Mazda Tribute MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2005: The most efficient configuration moves from 24 to 27 MPG, up 3. Its annual cost goes from $2,720 to $2,420, $300 less.
Gas configurations (6)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.3L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.3L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Tribute 3.0L 6-cyl FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,270 |
| Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4WD | 18 | 22 | 20 | $3,270 |
| Tribute 3.0L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,440 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4WD | 28 | 26 | 27 | $2,420 |
2005 Mazda Tribute MPG
17–24 MPG · $2,720–$3,840/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration moves from 22 to 24 MPG, up 2. Its annual cost goes from $2,970 to $2,720, $250 less.
Gas configurations (6)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.3L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 27 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.3L 4-cyl | FWD | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Tribute 3.0L 6-cyl FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,440 |
| Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4WD | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,630 |
| Tribute 3.0L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
2004 Mazda Tribute MPG
18–22 MPG · $2,970–$3,630/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2003: The most efficient configuration stays at 22 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,970.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribute 2.0L 4-cyl FWD (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Tribute 2.0L 4-cyl 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Tribute 3.0L 6-cyl FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,440 |
| Tribute 3.0L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,630 |
2003 Mazda Tribute MPG
18–22 MPG · $2,970–$3,630/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2002: The most efficient configuration stays at 22 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,970.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribute 2.0L 4-cyl FWD (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Tribute 2.0L 4-cyl 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Tribute 3.0L 6-cyl FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,440 |
| Tribute 3.0L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,630 |
2002 Mazda Tribute MPG
18–22 MPG · $2,970–$3,630/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2001: The most efficient configuration moves from 23 to 22 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,840 to $2,970, $130 more.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribute 2.0L 4-cyl FWD (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Tribute 2.0L 4-cyl 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4WD | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Tribute 3.0L 6-cyl FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,440 |
| Tribute 3.0L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,630 |
2001 Mazda Tribute MPG
18–23 MPG · $2,840–$3,630/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribute 2.0L 4-cyl FWD (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Tribute 2.0L 4-cyl 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4WD | 20 | 24 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Tribute 3.0L 6-cyl FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | FWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,630 |
| Tribute 3.0L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,630 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl FWD: $3,860 in California and $2,480 in Texas, a $1,380 difference.
- California $3,860
- Washington $3,580
- New York $2,840
- Florida $2,680
- Texas $2,480
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2006 standard SUV models.
Generations
- 2001-2006 (1st gen)
- 2008-2011 (2nd gen)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2001-2006 Mazda Tribute get?
EPA rates the 2001-2006 Mazda Tribute at 17–27 MPG combined across 29 configurations and 6 model years. The most efficient version, the 2006 Hybrid 2.3L 4-cyl 4WD, is rated 27 MPG (28 city, 26 highway). By powertrain: Gas: 17–24 MPG; Hybrid: 27 MPG.
Which years had the best MPG in the 2001-2006 Mazda Tribute?
The Hybrid 2.3L 4-cyl 4WD reached the generation's best combined rating, 27 MPG, in 2006. The lowest top rating, 22 MPG, was in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2001-2006 Mazda Tribute?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Mazda Tribute per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,840 a year. Across all 7 configurations the cost runs $2,420–$3,440 a year. That is a $1,020 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2006 Mazda Tribute 100 miles?
About $18.93 per 100 miles for the Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $16.13 and $22.93 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2006 Mazda Tribute more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl FWD is rated 21 city and 27 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.
How does the 2006 Mazda Tribute compare with other standard SUV configurations?
The Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,840 a year to fuel, $1,240 less than the class median of $4,080, and less than 9 of 10 standard SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 296 rated standard SUV configurations for MY2006, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2006 Mazda Tribute hybrid cheaper to fuel than the gas version?
Yes. The best hybrid (Hybrid 2.3L 4-cyl 4WD) is rated 27 MPG against 23 MPG for the best gas version (Tribute 2.3L 4-cyl FWD), 4 MPG more. At regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026) that is $2,420 versus $2,840 a year, a saving of $420.
Is the 2006 Mazda Tribute different from the 2005 model?
The most efficient configuration moves from 24 to 27 MPG, up 3. Its annual cost goes from $2,720 to $2,420, $300 less. EPA lists 7 configurations for 2006 against 6 configurations for 2005. See the 2005 Mazda Tribute for that year.