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2008 Mazda B-Series Truck Safety Review

July 2, 2008

SAFETY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

side-impact airbags are not available
Cars.com

good directional stability
ConsumerGuide

high ground clearance and compliant front suspension
Kelley Blue Book

The 2008 Mazda B-Series has most of the basic safety features found on comparable vehicles reviewed by TheCarConnection.com.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the driver is well protected in collisions. Front- and driver-side impacts both received a rating of five stars with the regular cab of the Mazda 2008; scores for the passenger and driver with the extended cab version of the 2008 Mazda were slightly lower. Both variants received a rollover rating of three. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 2008 Mazda B-Series an overall rating of "acceptable” for frontal offset crash tests.

According to Edmunds, standard safety features on all variants of the Mazda 2008 include anti-lock brakes, dual front airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system; however, "all other modern safety features, such as stability control and side curtain airbags, are not available." Cars.com reports that the 2008 Mazda's passenger-side airbag can be deactivated with the use of a key-activated switch and confirms that "side-impact airbags are not available."

Conclusion

The 2008 Mazda B-Series scores acceptably in crash tests, but many modern safety features are not offered.

SAFETY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:side-impact airbags are not availableCars.comgood directional stabilityConsumerGuidehigh ground clearance and compliant front suspensionKelley Blue Book The 2008 Mazda B-Series has most of the basic safety features found on comparable vehicles reviewed by TheCarConnection.com. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the driver is well protected in collisions. Front- and driver-side impacts both received a rating of five stars with the regular cab of the Mazda 2008; scores for the passenger and driver with the extended cab version of the 2008 Mazda were slightly lower. Both variants received a rollover rating of three. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 2008 Mazda B-Series an overall rating of "acceptable” for frontal offset crash tests. According to Edmunds, standard safety features on all variants of the Mazda 2008 include anti-lock brakes, dual front airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system; however, "all other modern safety features, such as stability control and side curtain airbags, are not available." Cars.com reports that the 2008 Mazda's passenger-side airbag can be deactivated with the use of a key-activated switch and confirms that "side-impact airbags are not available." ConclusionThe 2008 Mazda B-Series scores acceptably in crash tests, but many modern safety features are not offered.  2008 MAZDA B-SERIES STYLING | [6 out of 10] Cars.com: "little has changed" Edmunds: "a true compact pickup" J.D. Power: "more brightwork around the grille and headlamps" The 2008 Mazda B-Series trucks still look like their Ford Ranger counterparts after more than a decade in ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

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.

Next Steps:

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See the Mazda B-Series Truck in Other Years:

2009 | 2008

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