IRVINE, Calif. — Joining the ranks of other brands offering gasoline/electric hybrid SUVs, Mazda began selling its 2008 Tribute HEV at the end of last month, but only in California.

The "full" hybrid can travel on electric power alone up to about 25 mph, but the air-conditioner must not be running, and crawling away from a stop is the only way to avoid starting the gasoline engine.

Acceleration from the combined performance of the Tribute HEV's 2.3-liter 113-horsepower inline-4 cylinder engine and its 70kW (approximately 94 hp) electric motor is comparable to that of the otherwise available 3.0-liter 200-hp V6 in a 2008 Tribute S. But driven carefully, the Tribute HEV can achieve an almost 75 percent improvement in the EPA's city-cycle fuel economy test.

The EPA has rated the FWD Tribute HEV at 34 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 29/27 for AWD models.

Mazda says it has already sold seven of the 350 hybrids it initially plans to offer at selected Mazda dealerships in the state. Prices have been set at $25,905 for a base Touring model with front-wheel drive and climb to $30,165 for a Grand Touring AWD version. The most costly option is a $1,200 DVD-based navigation system.

Those who purchase a FWD Tribute HEV may enjoy a $3,000 tax credit, while those who prefer AWD will receive a $2,500 credit. Either way, the credit effectively erases the slight price increase over the standard gasoline Tribute.

Admittedly, Mazda says it had very little to do with the engineering of the midsize SUV, which is effectively a rebadged 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid with a Mazda grille.

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