EDMUNDS.COM 2004 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK
Find, Buy, Review, Make offers on, and View more vehicles like the 2004 MAZDA BSERIESTRUCK new at UsedNewCars.com!
Click Here For More Reviews On Edmunds.com
 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
Unless the Mazda name holds a special place in your heart, there''s no reason to consider this ancient compact pickup when there are several equally capable and infinitely more modern competitors available for the same price.
Pros
Torquey 4.0-liter V6 engine, versatile size, tough underpinnings.
Cons
Dated platform, no crew cab model, limited lineup doesn''t match many consumers'' needs, uncomfortable seats.
What''s New for 2004
The interior gets a slight refresh in the form of a new steering wheel and airbag design, new cloth upholstery and a redesigned center stack.
Overview
Introduction:
Mazda''s history with small pickups goes back several decades. Back in the 1970s, Mazda produced the Ford Courier which was nothing more than a rebadged version of Mazda''s own design. It was successful mostly due to the strong Ford brand name.In the early 1980s, Mazda decided to redesign its small pickup. The company christened its newest creation the B-Series. Ford, on the other hand, decided to design its own small pickup banking on its brand name to draw in the customers and thus the Ranger was born. Ford was right, and the Ranger became far more popular, as the B-Series market share withered. In a reversal of previous fortunes, Mazda was forced to rely on Ford to provide a basis for the B-Series, and it was recast as a modified Ford Ranger for the 1994 model year. Under the skin and inside the cab, the Ranger and the B-Series were identical; minor styling changes made the Mazda unique. Then, a 1998 freshening resulted in a more dynamic design for the B-Series, with flared fenders and unique trim inside and out. In 2002, Mazda decided to shake the Ford family tree hoping to distance itself from its overshadowing relative by ditching the B-Series designation along with the nearly two decades of brand equity and renamed it (trumpets please): Truck. Truck? We don''t know either, but it still holds the "B" in the nomenclature, and people still refer to the Truck as the B-Series. While the name and some of its styling cues may try to separate it from its stronger-selling Ford cousin, the Truck lacks the configurations and feature content available to the Ranger. However, it should be noted that Mazda offers a better warranty and often offers deep discounts to clear the Truck from the lots.
 |
For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
Available as either a regular cab or an extended cab with two or four doors, the Mazda Truck is further broken down into base, SE and Dual Sport trim levels. Base models are available as either a 2WD regular cab or a 4WD two-door extended cab and come standard with a tachometer, sliding rear window, AM/FM stereo and 15-inch steel wheels (16-inch on 4WD models). The SE trim level is offered on extended cab models only in both two- and four-wheel-drive configurations and features alloy wheels, air conditioning and a CD player. Dual Sport models offer all three body styles but are 2WD only. A standard raised suspension gives all Dual Sport models the look of a 4WD without the added expense. Various options packages are also available like the Power Package that bundles together keyless entry and power windows, locks and mirrors, and the Convenience Package with tilt steering, cruise control and a bed liner.
Powertrains and Performance:
Three engines are available. The B2300 is powered by a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that develops 143 horsepower and 154 lb-ft of torque. The B3000 has a 3.0-liter V6 that makes 150 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. The top-level B4000 features a strong 4.0-liter SOHC V6 with 207 hp and 238 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual is standard, while a five-speed automatic is optional on all trim levels, except for the B2300 extended cab. Four-cylinder models are fine for cargo-hauling or light towing duties with a tow rating of 2,240 pounds, but with its maximum rating of 5,900 pounds, the 4.0-liter V6 is the engine you want for heavy-duty chores.
Safety:
Antilock brakes are standard on all models. In government crash tests, the Mazda Truck earned four stars out of five for driver and front-passenger protection in frontal and side-impact crashes. The IIHS gave this compact pickup a rating of "Acceptable" (the second highest of four) after conducting its frontal offset impact tests.
|
For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
A freshened interior for this year''s model features a new steering wheel and airbag design, cloth seats, a redesigned center stack and a new optional interior color. The seats are still low, flat and unsupportive, so don''t expect long-range comfort. Extended cab models have twin jump seats in the rear; the side-facing rear seats on this model are by no means comfortable for adults, but they can be used by extra passengers in a pinch. Four-door extended cab versions make access to the rear passenger area considerably easier.
|
For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Budget buyers will prefer the B2300 for fuel economy and low purchase cost, and the B3000 represents a sensible blend of power and efficiency. The stout B4000 V6 offers the most power and torque for off-roading and towing. All models are easy to drive, but the basic platform and underpinnings are outdated, resulting in a rough, harsh ride.
|
For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
[ UsedNewCars.com ] [ Information Index ] [ Site Map ]
[ MAZDA Information Index ] [ TRUCK Information Index ]
|
