Mazda B-Series Truck Review
Truck Reviewer
While other truck models from various companies turned to the appeal of the bigger
vehicles the Mazda B Series remained compact. While the larger trucks will naturally
carry more cargo, the smaller and more agile Mazda B Series maintains a high standard
for maneuverability. Its use as a functional pick up was never compromised. The
compact truck can still carry an impressive load while handling the contour of the
roadway.
Over time, the Mazda B Series became a joint effort between Mazda and Ford. With
small changes and design alterations it eventually began to have a very similar look
and feel of the Ford Ranger. Introduced in the later 1990s and continuing to thrive up
until the 2000s the B Series came with one of three different engine choices. Any of the
three engines could give the truck an excellent review when it came to on and off road
performance.
The original Mazda B Series offered four wheel drive on most models. Eventually the
available four wheel drive was narrowed down to only one model. This did not go over
well with consumers who wanted the nimble performance combined with the off road
capabilities that the series was known for. It was possibly this change that led to the
downfall of the company’s compact pick-up effort.
Throughout the production of the Mazda B Series antilock brakes were one of the few
standard safety features. As other manufacturers began to add new technology such as
stability control or side airbags Mazda maintained its single minded focus and did not
offer these necessary features even as options on most of the models.
The engine line of the Mazda B Series started with the standard 2.3 liter four cylinder
that produced 142 horsepower. When the B3000 began production it was woefully
underpowered with a 3.0 V6 engine that spit out only 148 horsepower. This was simply
not strong enough to do the jobs of bigger trucks and the tiny step up in engine size
and capacity just didn’t justify the price. The larger price tag was supposed to represent
more changes within the vehicle but consumers didn’t find the promise of a more
powerful truck to be credible.
Each model year brought something new for the Mazda B Series. Features such as
power accessories, remote or keyless entry, alloy wheels, fog lights, skid plate, cruise
control, auxiliary input for the CD player, and a limited slip differential. There was a timid
attempt to introduce a sporty line of the B Series which didn’t catch on. Its two wheel
drive was an initial disappointment that sat upon a raised suspension. The overall effect
was supposed to be rugged. Consumers simply didn’t see it and did not go for the two
wheel drive raised vehicle.
As a used vehicle the Mazda B Series is considered to be rather standard for generic
purposes. If you need the basics that a pick-up truck offers and like the nimble handling
then you may find a well-cared for model. Most of the trucks on the road today will out
power the B Series but the B Series will ultimately out maneuver the other trucks on the
roadway today.
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