2001MazdaB-SeriesMazda B-Series2001 Mazda B3000 SE 2WD Cab Plus 4 SBCompact PickupExtended CabRWDEdison, NJMore power is the big news for the 01 B-Series. The B4000 boasts a new 4.0-liter SOHC V6, while the B2300 has a more-powerful 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. The flexible-fuel feature on the 3.0-liter V6 has been dropped. To keep up with the additional horsepower, Mazda has made ABS standard on all models. The company has also created a new 4x2 Dual Sport trim level and modified every model's exterior and interior styling. To the chagrin of Troy Lee but probably nobody else, the B-Series Troy Lee edition has been dropped.Numerous engine and body configurations, functional interior, impressive towing capacity.Room in back of extended-cab area isn't enough for adults, still no V8.For people who need the functionality of a pickup but think a full-size truck is too big, Mazda offers its B-Series compact pickup. Along with its mechanical twin, the Ford Ranger, the Mazda offers a wide range of configurations, four-cylinder and V6 engines, and good reliability. The different B-Series designations -- B2300, B3000 and B4000 -- refer to the three different engine choices available. The B2300 replaces the previous B2500 model and uses a new 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 140 horsepower, 21 more horsepower than before. The B3000 has a 3.0-liter V6 that makes 150 horsepower and 185 foot-pounds of torque. The top-level B4000 features a new 4.0-liter SOHC V6 (the same one found in Ford's Explorer) with 207 horsepower and 238 foot-pounds of torque. It is mated to a new five-speed automatic transmission. The previous 4.0-liter V6 made only 160 horsepower. The B2300 is fine for cargo hauling or light towing duties, but you'll want to step up to the B4000 to tow heavier toys (maximum trailer rating for the B4000 is 5,900 pounds). Different B-Series configurations include a regular cab, a two-door extended cab, and a four-door extended cab. The B-Series gains new styling for 2001, including a restyled grille and new lights front and rear. Four-wheel-drive trucks get 16-inch alloy wheels, and a new two-wheel-drive Dual Sport model debuts with a monochromatic paint scheme on the grille, bumpers and fender flares. It also includes 15-inch alloy wheels, a limited-slip differential (B4000 models only), wheel arch moldings and fog lights. The real advantage of the Dual Sport is that you get the look of 4WD (the Dual Sport has a raised suspension) without the extra weight and monetary premiums associated with 4WD. The four-door extended cab is our favorite as it increases the functionality of the interior considerably. The side-facing rear seats on this model are by no means comfortable for adults, but they can be used in a pinch. The rest of the interior is clean and well laid-out. For 2001, Mazda has revised the interior by updating the seats, door trim, gauges and steering wheel. On the road, the B-Series trucks provide a stable ride. It's not quite Lexus RX 300 quality, of course, but the overall ride is comfortable for a compact pickup. Four-wheel drive is an option on B3000s and B4000s. This shift-on-the-fly system features pulse vacuum hub-lock technology, allowing the driver to engage four-wheel drive at speeds up to 70 mph. No stopping or backing up is required when shifting into or out of 4-Lo. With a rugged design, solid good looks and an excellent warranty, Mazda has done truck buyers right with its latest B-Series. Ford offers more options and features with its Ranger, but the B-Series is still a fun and practical compact pickup. Chevrolet S-10Dodge DakotaNissan FrontierToyota Tacoma350,000350,000350,0005UnlimitedNANANA63 litersV6150 hp @ 5000 rpm185 ft-lbs. @ 3750 rpmNA1620 lbs.3945 lbs.202.9 in.69.4 in.64.8 in.3164 lbs.125.7 in.42.8 ft.NA39.2 in.35.6 in.NANANANA42.2 in.40.3 in.5Not AvailableStandardNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedVery GoodNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested19.5 gal.17 mpg / 22 mpg16 mpg / 21 mpg332 mi. / 429 mi.312 mi. / 410 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$16,222$17,7407.35%$585N/A2% of the Base MSRPB2500 SX 2WD REGULAR CAB (5M): 2.5L I4 SOHC MPI 8-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; battery with rundown protection; HD radiator; 95-amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, 3.73 axle ratio; partial stainless steel exhaust; front independent short and long-arm suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rigid rear axle leaf suspension with rear leaf springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering;front disc/rear drum brakes with 4-wheel antilock braking system; 16.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; front and rear mud flaps, side impact bars; trailer wiring harness; front and rear black bumpers, rear step bumper; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's manual black folding outside mirrors; 15" x 7" silver styled steel wheels, P225/70SR15 BSW A/S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; AM/FM stereo w/clock, seek-scan feature, 4 speakers, fixed antenna; 1 power accessory outlet, front lighterelement, driver's foot rest, retained accessory power; instrumentation display includes tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, volt gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, door ajar; driver's front airbag, passenger's cancelable front airbag; ignition disable; tinted windows; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip; seating capacity of 3, 60/40 split-bench front seat with fixed headrests, driver's and front passenger's seats includes 2-way adjustment; height-adjustable front seatbelts; vinyl seats, vinyl door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full vinyl floor covering, cabback insulator; interior lights include dome light; day/night rearview mirror; partial floor console, glove box with light, front cupholder, instrument panel bin; cargo net; black grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles.
B2500 SE 2WD REGULAR CAB (5M) (in addition to or instead of B2500 SX 2WD REGULAR CAB (5M) equipment): Front and rear chrome bumpers with black rub strip; additional exterior lights include pickup cargo box light; air conditioning, single-disc CD player; center armrest with storage; driver's and front passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; cloth seats, full carpet floor covering with floor mats; interior lights include front reading lights; driver's and passenger's door bins; chrome grille.
B3000 Dual Sport 2WD REGULAR CAB (5M) (in addition to or instead of B2500 SE 2WD REGULAR CAB (5M) equipment): 3L V6 OHV MPI 24-valve engine; front torsion springs; body-colored front bumper, black rear bumper, front and rear tow hooks; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; P235/75SR15 BSW AT tires; 60/40 split-bench front seat, driver's and front passenger's seats include 2-way adjustment; vinyl seats, vinyl door trim insert.
B3000 SE 2WD REGULAR CAB (5M) (in addition to or instead of B3000 Dual Sport 2WD REGULAR CAB (5M) equipment): HD radiator; front and rear chrome bumpers with black rub strip; additional exterior lights include pickup cargo box light; P225/70SR15 BSW A/S tires; air conditioning; 60/40 split-bench front seat, center armrest with storage, driver's and front passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; cloth seats, full carpet floor covering with floor mats.
B4000 Dual Sport 2WD CAB PLUS 4 (5M) (in addition to or instead of B3000 SE 2WD REGULAR CAB (5M) equipment): 4L V6 OHV SMPI 12-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; rear-wheel drive, limited-slip differential, 3.55 axle ratio; 19.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; class III towing, trailer wiring harness and trailer hitch; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote black folding outside mirrors; rear tow hook; reverse-opening driver's and passenger's side rear doors; P235/75SR15 BSW A/T; 6 speakers, power door locks, remote keyless entry; panic alarm, deep tinted windows with driver's 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, fixed rear window; seating capacity of 5, side-facing 50/50 folding rear jump seat; interior lights include illuminated entry; plastic/vinyl steering wheel; front passenger's vanity mirror; front and rear cupholders, driver's and passenger's door bins,instrument panel door bin.
B4000 SE 2WD CAB PLUS 4 (5M) (in addition to or instead of B4000 Dual Sport 2WD CAB PLUS 4 (5A) equipment): 3L V6 OHV MPI 24-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 3.73 axle ratio; driver's and passenger's manual black folding outside mirrors; P225/70SR15 BSW A/S tires; 4 speakers.
B3000 Dual Sport 2WD CAB PLUS (5M) (in addition to or instead of B3000 SE 2WD CAB PLUS 4 (5M) equipment): Front torsion springs, front torsion bar; P235/75SR15 BSW AT tires; body-colored front and rear bumpers; tow hook.
B3000 SE 4WD REGULAR CAB (5M) (in addition to or instead of B3000 Dual Sport 2WD REGULAR CAB (5M) equipment): HD radiator; part-time 4 wheel drive, auto-locking hub control and electronic shift, 3.73 axle ratio; front disc/rear drum brakes with rear wheel antilock braking system; short and long-arm front suspension; heavy-duty front and rear shocks; front and rear tow hooks; black fender flares; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; 16" x 7" silver alloy wheels, P235/75SR16 OWL AT tires; 60/40 split-bench front seat, center armrest with storage, driver's and front passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; cloth seats, full cloth headliner, full color-keyed carpet floor covering with floor mats; instrument panel storage bin.
B4000 SE 4WD CAB PLUS 4 (5M) (in addition to or instead of B4000 Dual Sport 2WD CAB PLUS 4 (5A) equipment): 5-speed OD manual transmission; part-time 4 wheel drive, auto-locking hub control and electronic shift, limited-slip differential, 3.73 axle ratio; front disc/rear drum brakes with rear-wheel antilock braking system; front and rear mud flaps, skid plates; front and rear tow hooks; black fender flares; 16" x 7" silver alloy wheels, P265/75SR16 OWL A/T tires.
B3000 SE 4WD CAB PLUS (5M) (in addition to or instead of B4000 SE 2WD CAB PLUS 4 (5M) equipment): Part-time 4 wheel drive, auto-locking hub control and electronic shift; heavy-duty front and rear shocks; front disc/rear drum brakes, rear-wheel antilock braking system; front and rear chrome bumpers with black rub strip, front and rear tow hooks; black fender flares; 16" x 7" silver alloy wheels; P235/75SR16 OWL AT tires; interior lights include illuminated entry.