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2006 Mazda B-Series
Date Published: 7/31/08

2006 Mazda B-Series
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MSRP:
$15,340 - 26,440

Invoice:
$14,536 - 24,192

Class:
Compact Pickup Truck
2006 Mazda B-Series
Expert Rating Summary
Category B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto. Rating (See All
Ratings)
Compact Pickup Truck Average Rating
Acceleration 4 4.8
Fuel Economy 4 4
Ride Quality 3 4.3
Steering/Handling/Braking 3 3.9
Quietness 3 4.4
Controls 6 5.8
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 3 5.2
Room/Comfort (rear) 0 2.5
Cargo Room 1 3.7
Value within Class 6 6.2
Total Score: 33 44.8
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
2006 MAZDA B-SERIES BUYING RESOURCES
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2006 Mazda B-Series Review
Mazda's pickup truck is a Ford-built design shared with that company's Ranger. They differ slightly in styling and features. B-Series is offered as a regular cab and as the Cab Plus 4 extended cab. Both come with a 2-passenger front bench seat with bucket seats optional. The Cab Plus 4 adds two rear jump seats and two rear-hinged rear doors that do not open independently of the front doors. The B2300 has a 2.3-liter 4-cyl engine. B3000s use a 3.0-liter V6, B4000s a 4.0 V6. All use a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. B2300 and B3000s are rear-wheel drive only; B3000 Dual Sport and B4000 base models have 2WD, but use a 4WD-style raised suspension. B4000 SEs have 4WD that should be disengaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. Antilock brakes are standard on all. The B-Series' performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Rangers.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Pickups offer a true-truck design in a relatively modest package. They are best suited for personal or light-duty use rather than commercial use, heavy hauling, or towing.

Our Best Buy is Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks include Dodge Dakota and Honda Ridgeline.

New or significantly redesigned models include Isuzu i-280/i-350 and Mitsubishi Raider.
News
Like its Ford Ranger parent, the B-Series faces a very uncertain future, given the big losses and management turmoil now plaguing Ford Motor Company. Yet even if Ford's "Way Forward" recovery plan starts turning things around, these pickups are deemed low priorities on the to-redo list, so don't look for any major changes any time soon. There had been talk that Mazda would be assigned the Ranger/B-Series redesign, but it's unclear if that's still the case.
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