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2008 Mazda B-Series Full Review
Date Published: 4/11/08
Also in the 2008 Mazda B-Series Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Mazda B-Series Full Review
7.
8.
9.
2008 Mazda B-Series Review
The 2008 Mazda B-Series trucks are little changed, but the B3000 models with the 3.0-liter V6 engine have been discontinued. Mazda's pickup borrows its basic design from the Ford Ranger, but it 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. Bucket seats are optional only on the B4000 Cab Plus 4 SE. Cab Plus 4 models add two rear jump seats and rear-hinged access doors. The B2300 has a 143-hp 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. B4000s use a 207-hp 4.0-liter V6. All offer manual or automatic transmission. B2300 models are rear-wheel drive only. B4000s have 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Available safety equipment includes ABS.
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, Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier.
Our Best Buy is the Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks are the Dodge Dakota, Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier.
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.
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2008 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
Only 4.0-liter V6 models have been made available for Consumer Guide testing so far. They have fine power at all speeds and mesh nicely with the automatic transmission.
| B4000 Cab Plus 4, automatic | Class Average |
| 4 | 4.9 |
Only 4.0-liter V6 models have been made available for Consumer Guide testing so far. They have fine power at all speeds and mesh nicely with the automatic transmission.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, similar Ford Ranger 4WD SuperCabs with the 4.0-liter V6 and automatic transmission averaged 12.9-14.4 mpg in city/highway driving. The B-Series uses regular-grade gas.
| B4000 Cab Plus 4, automatic | Class Average |
| 2 | 3.5 |
In Consumer Guide testing, similar Ford Ranger 4WD SuperCabs with the 4.0-liter V6 and automatic transmission averaged 12.9-14.4 mpg in city/highway driving. The B-Series uses regular-grade gas.
Ride Quality
The ride is decent for a truck, regardless of the engine or brand name. They jiggle some on rough roads but absorb big bumps fairly well.
| B4000 Cab Plus 4, automatic | Class Average |
| 3 | 4.6 |
The ride is decent for a truck, regardless of the engine or brand name. They jiggle some on rough roads but absorb big bumps fairly well.
Steering/Handling/Braking
These trucks corner with a stable feel, moderate body lean, and nicely weighted steering. There is good directional stability.
| B4000 Cab Plus 4, automatic | Class Average |
| 3 | 3.9 |
These trucks corner with a stable feel, moderate body lean, and nicely weighted steering. There is good directional stability.
Quietness
Not quite as car-quiet as the Dodge Dakota, but the interior is well isolated from engine, wind, and road noise.
| B4000 Cab Plus 4, automatic | Class Average |
| 3 | 4.5 |
Not quite as car-quiet as the Dodge Dakota, but the interior is well isolated from engine, wind, and road noise.
Controls
Though dated overall, Ranger and B-Series share a convenient dashboard design with easy access to audio and climate controls.
| B4000 Cab Plus 4, automatic | Class Average |
| 6 | 5.9 |
Though dated overall, Ranger and B-Series share a convenient dashboard design with easy access to audio and climate controls.
Details
Interior materials are appropriate for the price, and all models we've tested have been solidly built.
| B4000 Cab Plus 4, automatic | Class Average |
| 5 | 4.7 |
Interior materials are appropriate for the price, and all models we've tested have been solidly built.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Good headroom and legroom. Entry and exit borders on awkward in high-riding 4WD models. Regular cab model has slightly more seat travel and seatback recline angle than class rivals.
| B4000 Cab Plus 4, automatic | Class Average |
| 4 | 5.6 |
Good headroom and legroom. Entry and exit borders on awkward in high-riding 4WD models. Regular cab model has slightly more seat travel and seatback recline angle than class rivals.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Cab Plus 4's rear half-doors aid entry and exit, but the back-seat area itself is best left to toddlers or cargo.
| B4000 Cab Plus 4, automatic | Class Average |
| 1 | 2.7 |
Cab Plus 4's rear half-doors aid entry and exit, but the back-seat area itself is best left to toddlers or cargo.
Cargo Room
Regular cab has better-than-average behind-seat storage space. Cab Plus 4 models can carry lots of stuff. The dual rear doors are nice, but they don't open independently of the front doors, making loading difficult in confined spaces.
| B4000 Cab Plus 4, automatic | Class Average |
| 3 | 3.6 |
Regular cab has better-than-average behind-seat storage space. Cab Plus 4 models can carry lots of stuff. The dual rear doors are nice, but they don't open independently of the front doors, making loading difficult in confined spaces.
Value within Class
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.
| B4000 Cab Plus 4, automatic | Class Average |
| 5 | 5.8 |
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
| B4000 Cab Plus 4, automatic | Class Average |
| 39 | 49.7 |
Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks
| Low Score | 35 | |
| Average Score | 49 | |
| High Score | 61 |
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2008 Mazda B-Series Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 10/13/2007
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
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| 2WD B2300 Base regular cab | $15,535 | $14,720 | $635 |
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| 4WD B4000 Base Cab Plus 4 extended cab | $22,045 | $20,184 | $635 |
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| 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 |
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| B-Series | $2000 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 transmission.
Safety
Antilock brakes, dual front airbags, tire-pressure monitor.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Cloth upholstery, split bench seat, floor consolette, AM/FM radio, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, black vinyl floor covering.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Painted front and rear bumpers.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
4-wire trailer harness, 225/70R15 white-letter tires.
B4000 Base adds to B2300 Base:
Powertrain
4.0-liter V6 engine, 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, rear jump seats, rear-hinged rear doors, carpeting, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Raised suspension, 235/75R15 all-terrain white-letter tires.
B4000 SE adds to B4000 Base:
Powertrain
5-speed automatic transmission, limited-slip differential.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear privacy glass, sliding rear window, fog lights, bedliner, chrome bumpers.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Class III tow-hitch receiver, skid plates, front tow hooks, 255/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
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SE-5 Pkg.
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B2300 Base
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$1,995
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$1,636
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Air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, carpeting, floormats, chrome bumpers and grille, alloy wheels.
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Powertrain |
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5-speed automatic transmission
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Base
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$1,000
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$820
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Comfort and Convenience Features |
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Air conditioning
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B2300 Base
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$900
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$738
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Automatic day/night rearview mirror w/compass
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B2300 Base, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
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$200
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$160
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Automatic day/night rearview mirror
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B2300 Base, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
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$230
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$184
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Includes compass, outside-temperature indicator.
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Bucket seats
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SE
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$305
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$250
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Appearance and Miscellaneous |
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Bedliner
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Base
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$235
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$188
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Bed extender
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B2300 Base
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$295
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$236
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Bed rail caps
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B2300 Base, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
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$140
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$112
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NA w/tonneau cover, folding storage box.
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Folding storage box
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B2300 Base, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
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$315
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$270
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Base requires bedliner. NA w/tonneau cover.
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Tonneau cover
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B2300 Base, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
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$330
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$264
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Door edge guards
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B2300 Base, B4000 Base, B4000 SE
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$75
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$60
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Get a FREE Price Quote:
2008 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 | 202.9 |
| Overall Width, in. | 69.4 | 70.3 |
| Overall Height, in. | 64.9 | 67.5 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2999 | 3662 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | -- | -- |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | 1260 | 1260 |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 16.5 | 19.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 2 | 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 | sohc V6 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.3 /138 | 4.0 /245 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 143 @ 5250 | 207 @ 5250 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 154 @ 3750 | 238 @ 3000 |
| Availability | Standard | Standard |
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EPA City / highway mpg
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| 5-speed manual | 21/26 | 15/19 |
| 5-speed automatic | 19/24 | 14/17 |
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 |
| 4WD Rollover | NA | 3 |
| 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 | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | --/-- | -- |
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
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
Also in the 2008 Mazda B-Series Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Mazda B-Series Full Review
7.
8.
9.
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