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2004 Mazda B-Series
Date Published: 2/20/08

2004 Mazda B-Series
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MSRP:
$14,430 - 23,470

Invoice:
$13,649 - 21,448

Class:
Compact Pickup Truck

CG Award: (What's This?)
2004 Mazda B-Series
Expert Rating Summary
Category B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto. Rating (See All
Ratings)
Compact Pickup Truck Average Rating
Acceleration 4 4.6
Fuel Economy 4 4.1
Ride Quality 3 3.6
Steering/Handling/Braking 3 3.3
Quietness 3 3.5
Controls 7 6
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 3 4.1
Room/Comfort (rear) 0 1.9
Cargo Room 1 3.1
Value within Class 8 6
Total Score: 36 40.2
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
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2004 Mazda B-Series Review
This compact pickup reassumes its B-Series label for 2004, after spending the 2003 model year badged as the Mazda Truck. It continues as a Ford-built design shared with the Ford Ranger, though the two differ slightly in styling and features. The B-Series comes as a regular cab and as the Cab Plus extended cab. The latter is called the Cab Plus 4 when equipped with two rear-hinged rear doors; these doors do not open independently of the front doors. Two rear jump seats are standard on Cab Plus 4, optional on Cab Plus. B2300 models have a 2.3-liter 4-cyl engine. B3000s use a 3.0-liter V6, B4000s a 4.0 V6. All come with manual transmission and all but Cab Plus B2300 versions offer a 5-speed automatic. B2300s and B3000s are rear-wheel drive only; B4000s offer rear-wheel drive or 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. ABS is standard on all models. Dual Sport models have 2WD, but use a 4WD-style raised suspension. Available for the 4WD B4000 is an Off-Road Package that includes bucket seats and 31-inch tires. The B-Series' performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Rangers.
News
Mazda and parent Ford Motor Company don't make much money with compact pickups. That's one reason why Ford canned plans for a fully redesigned Ranger, settling instead for a 2006 freshening of the current 12-year-old truck. Mazda, meantime, is said to be debating whether it needs a pickup anymore, given miniscule B-Series sales and the make's heavy emphasis on "zoom-zoom" cars. We see the B-Series being left to soldier on until Mazda decides. Ironically, there's been talk of Ford tapping Mazda to do Ranger's eventual redesign, but the corporate calendar shows no new compact pickup of any kind until at least 2008.
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