Acceleration

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto.	B4000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4, auto.	B4000 Cab Plus 4 4WD, auto.	Class Average
4	5	4	4.6

V6s have fine power at all speeds, mesh nicely with 5-speed automatic. We've had no opportunity to test the 2.3 4-cyl but it's likely to feel underpowered when heavily loaded or going uphill.

Fuel Economy

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto.	B4000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4, auto.	B4000 Cab Plus 4 4WD, auto.	Class Average
4	3	2	4.1

Test Ford Ranger 4WD SuperCabs with 4.0 V6 and automatic transmission averaged 12.9-14.4 mpg in mix of city/highway driving; comparable Mazda B-Series models will be similar. EPA fuel-economy estimates for 2WD versions are 2-3 mpg better. Expect little difference with 3.0 V6. 4-cyl models should average in the low-to-mid 20s. Ford and Mazda recommended regular-grade fuel for all engines.

Ride Quality

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto.	B4000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4, auto.	B4000 Cab Plus 4 4WD, auto.	Class Average
3	2	3	3.6

Decent for trucks, regardless of engine or brand name. They jiggle some on rough roads, but absorb big bumps well.

Steering/Handling/Braking

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto.	B4000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4, auto.	B4000 Cab Plus 4 4WD, auto.	Class Average
3	3	3	3.3

Stable in corners with moderate body lean, nicely weighted steering, and good directional stability.

Quietness

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto.	B4000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4, auto.	B4000 Cab Plus 4 4WD, auto.	Class Average
3	3	3	3.5

Not quite as car-quiet as Dodge Dakota, but has better isolation from engine, wind, and road noise than most compact trucks. V6s are smooth.

Controls

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto.	B4000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4, auto.	B4000 Cab Plus 4 4WD, auto.	Class Average
7	7	7	6

Convenient dashboard, solid overall assembly, and good-quality interior materials.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto.	B4000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4, auto.	B4000 Cab Plus 4 4WD, auto.	Class Average
3	4	4	4.1

Good head and leg room, but three adults are a tight squeeze, and entry/exit borders on awkward in high-riding 4WD versions and 2WD Dual Sport models.

Room/Comfort (rear)

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto.	B4000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4, auto.	B4000 Cab Plus 4 4WD, auto.	Class Average
0	1	1	1.9

Cab Plus 4's rear half doors are beneficial. With or without rear doors, rear-seat area best used for toddlers or cargo. Regular-cab has slightly more seat travel, seatback recline than rivals.

Cargo Room

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto.	B4000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4, auto.	B4000 Cab Plus 4 4WD, auto.	Class Average
1	3	3	3.1

Better-than-average behind-seat regular-cab space. Extended cabs carry lots of stuff. Dual rear doors are nice, but don't open independently of the fronts, making loading difficult in confined spaces.

Value within Class

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto.	B4000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4, auto.	B4000 Cab Plus 4 4WD, auto.	Class Average
8	9	10	6

Dodge's larger Dakota offers V8s and 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement, but these Ford-built trucks have enough pluses to join Dakota on our Best Buy list. Rangers are more popular than the slow selling Mazda B-Series, so Mazda dealers may offer deeper discounts.

Total Score

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto.	B4000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4, auto.	B4000 Cab Plus 4 4WD, auto.	Class Average
36	40	40	40.2

Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks

Low Score		32
Average Score		40
High Score		56