2008 Mazda B-Series Truck

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By  Marty Padgett, Executive Editor

2008 Mazda B-Series Truck
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TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Mazda B-Series to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the new Mazda B-Series to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information.

Likes:
- Towing capacity
- Crash-test performance
- Available four-cylinder engine

Dislikes:
- Dated styling
- Unresponsive handling
- Lack of features
- Lack of usable back-seat
The 2008 Mazda B-Series is a clone of the Ford Ranger, and shares its dated styling and chassis design--as well as its good construction quality, its frugal four-cylinder option, its good crash-test performance, and its high towing capacity.

The 2008 Mazda B-Series comes in two- and four-door models, with rear- or four-wheel drive. The Cab Plus version has two small access doors that make it easier to reach into the cargo area behind the seats, but there's no real four-door option. The B-Series hasn't seen a complete makeover in a long time, and it shows, though the materials used in its cabin are put together well.

The Mazda B-Series is available as the B2300, with a base 143-horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, or as the B4000 with a 4.0-liter V-6 that generates 207 horses. Each can be fitted to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic transmission. It can get 21/26 mpg, great figures for a basic pickup. The four-cylinder is grouchy, but frugal enough to indulge its slow acceleration. The 207-hp V-6 is reasonably smooth and powerful, though fuel economy drops to 14/17 mpg with the automatic.

Handling is trucklike, and steering is vague even on rear-drive vehicles. Braking performance is acceptable. Its six-foot bed is useful for some weekend and professional tasks, but the ubiquitous 4x8 sheet of plywood won't fit in the Mazda B-Series. Towing is rated at 5,600 pounds.

The Mazda B-Series' front bench seats are comfortable for a few hours but sit low. The Cab Plus versions have two fold-down seats that should be used in emergencies only. There's no cargo-storage system inside, but a fold-down armrest and a decent-sized glove box are found inside.

The 2008 Mazda B-Series has a standard tire pressure monitoring system and an iPod jack; options include the off-road package, a 510-watt audio system, and Sirius Satellite Radio.

Anti-lock brakes and dual airbags are standard on all versions. No curtain or side airbags are offered, nor are stability and traction control. The 2008 Mazda B-Series is rated at "acceptable" by the IIHS for front impacts; it scores five and four stars for front and side impacts from the NHTSA, but its rollover rating of three stars points out the limits of its taller, older design.

The Bottom Line:
The 2008 Mazda B-Series is an inexpensive, fuel-saving alternative to big pickups, but it feels every bit of its advanced age.

Other Choices:
If you like the 2008 Mazda B-Series, also consider:

- Ford Ranger
- GMC Canyon
- Chevrolet Colorado

The Ford Ranger is a near-identical twin of the 2008 Mazda B-Series, but it offers more trim versions, an off-road package, and an intermediate 3.0-liter V-6 that used to have E85-burning capability. The GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado are newer trucks that don't offer much better crash-test performance or styling, but their five-cylinder engines are more powerful than the Mazda's big V-6.

Buying Tip:
The 2008 Mazda B-Series is an odd fit in Mazda showrooms, where sportscars and sports sedans take up much of the floor space. It's a slow seller, and good deals are widely available. The four-cylinder, five-speed B-Series is a solid choice for an all-around second vehicle that's cheap to maintain and to operate.