Mazda's light, compact pickup truck, which was first produced in the mid-1980s, has been known by three different names throughout its North American run. From its introduction in 1986 through the 2001 model year, the truck was known as the B-Series Pickup. Then, for a couple of years, from 2002 to 2003, the truck was simply known as the Mazda Truck. And from 2004 on, the vehicle has been known as the Mazda B-Series Truck. Subtle changes, but underneath the badging they were all the same basic vehicle.
Mazda B-Series trucks have been sold in North America for more than two decades, and actually had their origins in the mid-1970s, when Mazda starting building compact pickup trucks for Ford. In the 1980s, Ford decided to launch its Ranger series, based on the platform originated by Mazda, so Mazda split away to launch its B-Series line of compact pickup trucks.
Though never as popular as trucks built by Ford and other foreign automakers such as Toyota, the Mazda B-Series trucks have been solid, reliable, and well-built throughout their run, garnering a large number of loyal fans and buyers, who keep coming back to the vehicle, purchasing it year after year. And while they acknowledge that the B-Series trucks are not as powerful nor as luxurious as truck from competitors, they appreciate the B-Series trucks for their value, economy, handling, comfort, and dependability.
Througout most of its run, the B-Series has been available with both standard and extended (Cab Plus) cabs, as well as in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions. Engines have ranged from an 85-horsepower, 2.2-liter (2200 cubic centimeters) four-cylinder engine to the current 207-horsepower, 4.0-liter V6, which is the largest, most powerful engine available for the B-Series.
A few words about nomenclature. Throughout its run, the B-Series trucks have taken their name from their engine size, so trucks with the 2.2-liter (2200cc) engine became the B2200, while trucks with the 3.0-liter engine (3000cc) became the B3000, trucks with the 4.0-liter (4000cc) engine became the B4000, and so forth. Trim packages included the SE, SX, Dual Sport, and Troy Lee versions (the latter named for a designer of extreme-sports and racing equipment).
Initially standard features for the B-Series trucks were sparse, but they have been expanded through the years, with rear-wheel anti-lock brakes becoming an important standard feature. In the 1990s, extended cabs received four doors, with current models featuring rear-hinged rear doors that can be opened only when the front doors are open.
