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2007 Mazda B-Series Full Review
Date Published: 4/09/08
2007 Mazda B-Series Review
Mazda's pickup borrows its underskin design from the Ford Ranger, but differs in styling and features. B-Series offers regular-cab and extended Cab Plus 4 models. All come with a two-passenger front bench seat or optional buckets. Cab Plus 4s add two rear jump seats and rear-hinged access doors. The B2300 has a 2.3-liter 4-cyl engine. B3000s use a 3.0-liter V6, B4000s a 4.0 V6. All offer manual or automatic transmission. B2300 and B3000 are rear-wheel drive only. B4000s have 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Antilock brakes are standard. B-Series' performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Rangers.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 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 the Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks are the Dodge Dakota and Honda Ridgeline.

New or significantly redesigned is the Ford Explorer Sport Trac.
News
Detroit sources say Mazda will soon abandon the B-Series regardless of what Ford plans for the parent Ranger. Sales are nowhere, and pickups hardly fit the "zoom-zoom" mantra Mazda keeps chanting. As things stand now, the B-Series will be lucky to survive through model-year '08.
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2007 Mazda B-Series Road Test
Pros Cons
Acceleration (B4000) Ride
Build quality Rear-seat comfort
Rear-seat entry/exit (extended cab)
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

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

Only V6 models made available for test so far. They have fine power at all speeds and mesh nicely with the automatic transmission.
Fuel Economy

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto. B4000 Cab Plus 4, auto. Class Average
4 3 3.8

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

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto. B4000 Cab Plus 4, auto. Class Average
3 3 4.6

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

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto. B4000 Cab Plus 4, auto. Class Average
3 3 3.9

Corners with stable feel, moderate body lean, nicely weighted steering. Good directional stability.
Quietness

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto. B4000 Cab Plus 4, auto. Class Average
3 3 4.5

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

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto. B4000 Cab Plus 4, auto. Class Average
6 6 5.9

Convenient dashboard, solid overall assembly, good-quality interior materials.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto. B4000 Cab Plus 4, auto. Class Average
3 4 5.3

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

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto. B4000 Cab Plus 4, auto. Class Average
0 1 2.9

Cab Plus 4's rear half-doors aid entry/exit, but the back-seat area itself is best left to toddlers or cargo. Regular cab has slightly more seat travel, seatback recline than rivals.
Cargo Room

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto. B4000 Cab Plus 4, auto. Class Average
1 3 4.1

Regular cab has better-than-average behind-seat space. Extendeds 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 Cab Plus 4, auto. Class Average
4 5 6

Every compact-pickup competitor benefits from much newer designs, but the B-Series and Ford Ranger remain viable choices that are often discounted. Note, though, that Rangers offer more popular features than the Mazdas--and through many more dealerships.
Total Score

B3000 Dual Sport reg. cab, auto. B4000 Cab Plus 4, auto. Class Average
31 35 46
Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks

Low Score
31
Average Score
46
High Score
60
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2007 Mazda B-Series Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 12/08/2006
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
2WD B2300 Base regular cab $15,535 $14,720 $635
2WD B3000 Base Cab Plus 4 extended cab $19,040 $17,443 $635
4WD B4000 Base Cab Plus 4 extended cab $22,045 $20,184 $635
2WD B3000 Dual Sport regular cab $19,675 $18,024 $635
2WD B3000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4 extended cab $21,430 $19,409 $635
4WD B4000 SE Cab Plus 4 extended cab $26,590 $24,329 $635
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
Model Rebate & Incentives Type Expires
B-Series $3000 cash back. Customer 06/02/08
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
B2300 Base
Powertrain
2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Antilock brakes, dual front airbags.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power steering, cloth upholstery, split bench seat, floor consolette, cupholders, AM/FM radio, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, black vinyl floor covering.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Painted front bumper and rear step bumper.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
4-wire trailer harness, 225/70R15 tires.
B3000 Base adds to B2300 Base:
Powertrain
3.0-liter V6 engine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, rear jump seats, rear-hinged rear doors, carpeting, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system.
B4000 Base adds to B3000 Base:
Powertrain
4.0-liter V6 engine, 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Raised suspension, 235/75R15 all-terrain white-letter tires.
B3000 Dual Sport adds to B2300 Base:
Powertrain
3.0-liter V6 engine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, rear jump seats (Cab Plus 4), power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, rear-hinged rear doors (Cab Plus 4), carpeting, floormats, rear privacy glass.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, sliding rear window, color-keyed bumpers, fog lights, bedliner.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Raised suspension, 235/75R15 all-terrain white-letter tires, alloy wheels.
B4000 SE adds to B3000 Dual Sport:
Powertrain
4.0-liter V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, limited-slip differential.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, passenger-side visor mirror.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Chrome bumpers.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Tow-hitch receiver, skid plates, front tow hooks, 255/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
SE-5 Pkg.
B2300 Base
$1,995
$1,636
Air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, carpeting, floormats, chrome bumpers and grille, alloy wheels.
Powertrain
5-speed automatic transmission
B2300 Base, B3000 Base, B3000 Dual Sport, B4000 Base
$1,000
$820
Std. B4000 SE.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning
B2300 Base
$900
$738
Automatic day/night rearview mirror w/compass
B2300 Base, B3000 Base, B3000 Dual Sport, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
$150
$120
Automatic day/night rearview mirror
B2300 Base, B3000 Base, B3000 Dual Sport, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
$230
$184
Includes compass, outside-temperature indicator.
Bucket seats
B4000 SE, Dual Sport Cab Plus 4
$225
$185
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Side steps
B2300 Base, B3000 Base, B3000 Dual Sport, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
$370
$296
Bedliner
B2300 Base, B3000 Base, B3000 Dual Sport, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
$235
$188
Std. B3000 Dual Sport, B4000 SE.
Bed extender
B2300 Base, B3000 Dual Sport
$295
$236
Bed rail caps
B2300 Base, B3000 Base, B3000 Dual Sport, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
$140
$112
NA w/tonneau cover, folding storage box.
Folding storage box
B2300 Base, B3000 Base, B3000 Dual Sport, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
$315
$270
Requires bedliner. NA w/tonneau cover.
Tonneau cover
B2300 Base, B3000 Base, B3000 Dual Sport, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
$330
$264
Door edge guards
B2300 Base, B3000 Base, B3000 Dual Sport, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
$75
$60
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2007 Mazda B-Series Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Mazda B-Series regular cab Mazda B-Series extended cab
Wheelbase, in. 111.6 125.9
Overall Length, in. 187.5 201.7
Overall Width, in. 69.4 70.3
Overall Height, in. 64.9 64.8
Curb Weight, lbs. 2999 3305
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. -- --
Standard Payload, lbs. 1260 1680
Fuel Capacity, gals. 16.5 19.5
Seating Capacity 3 4
Front Head Room, in. 39.2 39.2
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.4 42.2
Rear Head Room, in. -- 35.6
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. -- 40.3
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc I4 ohv V6 sohc V6
Size, liters/cu. in. 2.3 /138 3.0 /182 4.0 /245
Horsepower @ rpm. 143 @ 5250 154 @ 5200 207 @ 5250
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 154 @ 3750 180 @ 3900 238 @ 3000
Availability Standard Standard Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
     
5-speed manual 24/29 18/23 17/23
5-speed automatic 21/26 17/22 17/21
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Mazda B-Series regular cab Mazda B-Series extended cab
Front Impact, Driver 5 5
Front Impact, Passenger 4 4
Rollover Resistance 3 3
Side Impact, Driver 5 4
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain 5/60,000 --
Bumper-to-bumper 3/36,000 --
Corrosion 5/Unlimited --
Free roadside assistance 4/50,000 --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: USA
Drivewheels: 4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive
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