Mazda B-Series First Drive
Introduction
The Mazda B-Series and similar Ford Ranger are our top-rated compact pickups. But this category has few winnersand even these never let you forget youre in a truck. Handling is secure, though the ride is stiff. The 3.0-liter V6 is pleasant enough. Inside, the seats are low and their padding is thin. As with other pickups, a switch lets you shut off the passenger-side air bag. Four doors are available in extended-cab models, but the rear seat is fit for cargo only. The Explorer Sport Trac is the crew-cab version of this truck. Reliability of the 4WD model has fallen to much worse than average. A 4.0-liter V6 was recently added; a new 2.3-liter Four is also available.