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2009 Mazda B-Series Truck Performance Review

July 9, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

great off-road warrior
Kelley Blue Book

flexy chassis and tepid powerplants reduce fun-to-drive index to almost zero
Car and Driver

ride is relatively refined
Autoblog

The 2009 Mazda B-Series is a reasonably capable workhorse and a good off-road performer, but the dated design hurts its handling qualities.

When equipped with optional four-wheel drive (available only on the 4000), the 2009 Mazda makes a "great off-road warrior," according to Kelley Blue Book. This source, along with ConsumerGuide, emphasizes that the four-wheel-drive system is for off-road or bad weather driving only and should not be engaged on dry, paved roads.

On road, the Mazda B-Series corners “with a stable feel, moderate body lean, and nicely weighted steering," reports ConsumerGuide (despite the fact that it rides fairly high up above the ground), but adds that suspension components "jiggle some on rough roads but absorb big bumps fairly well." It's comfortable, perhaps, but not compelling. Also, the "flexy chassis and tepid powerplants reduce fun-to-drive index to almost zero," says Car and Driver.

Edmunds reports that of the two available engines for 2009, the 2300 is powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder and the 4000 by a 4.0-liter V-6 with "207 hp, 238 lb-ft" for the B4000. This source also contends that compared to its current rivals, the Mazda 2009 B-Series is "outclassed." Car and Driver agrees, saying it is "underpowered versus most of the competing mid-size pickups." However, ConsumerGuide asserts that the 4.0-liter models they tested "have fine power at all speeds and mesh nicely with the automatic transmission."

The 2009 Mazda B-Series may be underpowered, but it offers a distinct advantage at the gas station. According to ConsumerGuide, EPA estimates for the truck range from 14/17 mpg for the B4000 with automatic transmission to 21/26 mpg for the B2300 with a manual.

According to Cars.com, all B-Series 2009 Mazda trucks are equipped "with either a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic.” According to Kelley Blue Book, when equipped with "the five-speed manual, the 2.3 performs adequately, although you have to get it past 4000 rpm to feel any inspired acceleration."

Conclusion

As with its styling, there's not much about the 2009 Mazda B-Series’ performance to get excited about.

PERFORMANCE | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:great off-road warriorKelley Blue Bookflexy chassis and tepid powerplants reduce fun-to-drive index to almost zeroCar and Driverride is relatively refinedAutoblog The 2009 Mazda B-Series is a reasonably capable workhorse and a good off-road performer, but the dated design hurts its handling qualities. When equipped with optional four-wheel drive (available only on the 4000), the 2009 Mazda makes a "great off-road warrior," according to Kelley Blue Book. This source, along with ConsumerGuide, emphasizes that the four-wheel-drive system is for off-road or bad weather driving only and should not be engaged on dry, paved roads. On road, the Mazda B-Series corners “with a stable feel, moderate body lean, and nicely weighted steering," reports ConsumerGuide (despite the fact that it rides fairly high up above the ground), but adds that suspension components "jiggle some on rough roads but absorb big bumps fairly well." It's comfortable, perhaps, but not compelling. Also, the "flexy chassis and tepid powerplants reduce fun-to-drive index to almost zero," says Car and Driver. Edmunds reports that of the two available engines for 2009, the 2300 is powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder and the 4000 by a 4.0-liter V-6 with "207 hp, 238 lb-ft" for the B4000. This source also contends that compared to its current rivals, the Mazda 2009 B-Series is "outclassed." Car and Driver agrees, saying it is "underpowered versus most of the competing mid-size pickups." However, ConsumerGuide asserts that the 4.0-liter models they tested "have fine power at all speeds and mesh nicely with the automatic transmission." The 2009 Mazda B-Series may be underpowered, but it offers a distinct advantage at the gas station. According to ConsumerGuide, EPA estimates for the truck range from 14/17 mpg for the B4000 with automatic transmission to 21/26 mpg for the B2300 with a manual. According to Cars.com, all B-Series 2009 Mazda trucks are equipped "with either a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic.” According to Kelley Blue Book, when equipped with "the five-speed manual, the 2.3 performs adequately, although you have to get it past 4000 rpm to feel any inspired acceleration." ConclusionAs with its styling, there's not much about the 2009 Mazda B-Series’ performance to get excited about. 2009 MAZDA B-SERIES STYLING | [6 out of 10] Edmunds: "a Ford Ranger wearing different clothes" ConsumerGuide: "convenient dashboard design” J.D. Power: "more brightwork around the grille and headlamps" The 2009 Mazda B-Series' styling isn’t as notable as its functionality. As ...

Read More of this Review:

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

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.

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See the Mazda B-Series Truck in Other Years:

2009 | 2008

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