Borrowing many of its elements from its parent corporation's hybrid SUV, the Mazda Tribute is the third hybrid offering coming out of the Ford Motor Co. corporate structure.

One difference between the Tribute and the Ford Escape is the powertrain. The Tribute uses a smaller 2.3-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine. The Escape's engine is slightly larger. But even with the slimmer engine, the Tribute has the same mileage rating as the Escape does -- 34 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

Like the Escape, the Tribute is a full hybrid and can run on the electric motor during slow speeds, the gas engine while cruising the highway, or a combination of both, depending on whether efficiency or power is needed more.

It can tow more, however, and is rated at 3,500 pounds with a properly installed hitch, which beats the Escape's 1,500-pound rating.