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2009 Mazda B-Series Truck Bottom Line

July 9, 2009

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

TheCarConnection.com's editors have driven the Mazda B-Series in order to give you an expert opinion here in this Bottom Line. Then TheCarConnection.com researched available road tests relevant to the 2009 Mazda B-Series to produce this conclusive review and to gather the most complete collection of shopping information.

Likes:

  • Fuel efficiency
  • Manageable size
  • Towing capacity

Dislikes:

  • Unusable backseat
  • Lacks many features or options
  • Numb handling
  • Looks dated

Buying Tips:


The Mazda B-Series is a slow seller and good deals are widely available—if you can find one at the dealership. In Mazda showrooms, where sports cars and sports sedans take up much of the floor space, the 2009 Mazda B-Series is an odd fit.

The 2009 Mazda B-Series is an inexpensive, fuel-saving alternative to big pickups, but it feels every bit of its advanced age. A clone of the Ford Ranger, the Mazda B-Series shares its dated styling and chassis design.

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

The Mazda 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 2009 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.

There's no cargo-storage system inside, but a fold-down armrest and a decent-sized glove box are found within the cabin. 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.

The six-foot bed of the 2009 Mazda B-Series is useful for some weekend and professional tasks, but the ubiquitous 4x8 sheet of plywood won't fit. Towing is rated at 5,600 pounds. Handling is trucklike, and steering is vague even on rear-drive vehicles. Braking performance is acceptable.

The 2009 Mazda B-Series is rated "acceptable" by the IIHS for front impacts; it scores five and four stars for front and side impacts from NHTSA, but its rollover rating of three stars points out the limits of its taller, older design. Anti-lock brakes and dual airbags are standard on all versions. No curtain or side airbags are offered, nor are stability and traction control.

An iPod jack is on the standard-equipment list; options include the off-road package, a 510-watt audio system, and Sirius Satellite Radio.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2009 Mazda B-Series, also consider:

Reason Why:

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. Both models also now offer a V-8 for 2009. The Ford Ranger is a near-identical twin of the 2009 Mazda B-Series, but it offers more trims, an off-road package, and an intermediate 3.0-liter V-6 that used to have E85-burning capability.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Mazda B-Series is frugal and performs decently, but its styling is dated and safety equipment isn’t up to modern standards.

TheCarConnection.com's editors have driven the Mazda B-Series in order to give you an expert opinion here in this Bottom Line. Then TheCarConnection.com researched available road tests relevant to the 2009 Mazda B-Series to produce this conclusive review and to gather the most complete collection of shopping information. Likes:Fuel efficiencyManageable sizeTowing capacityDislikes:Unusable backseatLacks many features or optionsNumb handlingLooks datedBuying Tips: The Mazda B-Series is a slow seller and good deals are widely available—if you can find one at the dealership. In Mazda showrooms, where sports cars and sports sedans take up much of the floor space, the 2009 Mazda B-Series is an odd fit. The 2009 Mazda B-Series is an inexpensive, fuel-saving alternative to big pickups, but it feels every bit of its advanced age. A clone of the Ford Ranger, the Mazda B-Series shares its dated styling and chassis design. The B2300 model has a 143-horsepower, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. The four-cylinder is grouchy, but frugal enough to indulge its slow acceleration. It can get 21 mpg city, 26 highway—great figures for a basic pickup. The B4000 comes with a 4.0-liter V-6 that generates 207 horses. The 207-hp V-6 is reasonably smooth and powerful, though fuel economy drops to 14/17 mpg with the automatic. A five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic transmission is available in either model. The Mazda 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 2009 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. There's no cargo-storage system inside, but a fold-down armrest and a decent-sized glove box are found within the cabin. 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. The six-foot bed of the 2009 Mazda B-Series is useful for some weekend and professional tasks, but the ubiquitous 4x8 sheet of plywood won't fit. Towing is rated at 5,600 pounds. Handling is trucklike, and steering is vague even on rear-drive vehicles. Braking performance is acceptable. The 2009 Mazda B-Series is rated "acceptable" by the IIHS for front impacts; it scores five and four stars for front and side impacts from NHTSA, but its rollover rating of three stars points out the limits of its taller, older design. Anti-lock brakes and dual airbags are standard on all versions. No curtain or side airbags are offered, nor are stability and traction control. An iPod jack is on the standard-equipment list; options include the off-road package, a 510-watt audio system, and Sirius Satellite Radio. Other Choices:If you like the 2009 Mazda B-Series, also consider:Chevrolet ColoradoGMC CanyonFord RangerReason Why: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. Both models also now offer a V-8 for 2009. The Ford Ranger is a near-identical twin of the 2009 Mazda B-Series, but it offers more trims, an off-road package, and an intermediate 3.0-liter V-6 that used to have E85-burning capability. The Bottom Line:The 2009 Mazda B-Series is frugal and performs decently, but its styling is dated and safety equipment isn’t up to modern standards. TheCarConnection.com's editors have driven the Mazda B-Series in order to give you an expert opinion here in this Bottom Line. Then TheCarConnection.com researched available road tests relevant to the 2009 Mazda B-Series to produce this conclusive review and to gather the most complete ...

Other Choices:

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. Both models also now offer a V-8 for 2009. The Ford Ranger is a near-identical twin of the 2009 Mazda B-Series, but it offers more trims, an off-road package, and an intermediate 3.0-liter V-6 that used to have E85-burning capability.

Next Steps:

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See the Mazda B-Series Truck in Other Years:

2009 | 2008

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