2002 Mazda Truck Review
Fuel Economy
15 - 23 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Cloning Ford's Ranger pickup to create the B-Series was a good idea. Giving it distinctive styling was a better one.
Pros
Strong 4.0-liter V6, functional interior, unique exterior styling.
Cons
Room in back of extended-cab area isn't enough for adults, limited engine/body availability.
What's New for 2002
The B-Series name gets dropped this year for the far more creative moniker "Truck." To celebrate, Mazda trims the lineup to just six models, all of which include a standard sliding rear window and none of which include SE or SX stickers on the beds because those trims have been killed. New packages include the SE-5 package for B2300s and an Off Road Package for B4000 four-bys. The Convenience package includes a bed liner this year. Color changes round out the updates for 2002.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Great little machine
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Mazda Truck 2dr Regular Cab B2300 2WD SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
Review
One of the best vehicle buys I have ever made. Great mileage (28-33). No problems so far. Inside door handles have come somewhat loose and sometimes rattle. Mazda makes a great vehicle.
Favorite Features
Mileage.
Suggested Improvements
Improved seatbelt?
Best truck I own
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Mazda Truck 2dr Regular Cab B3000 Dual Sport 2WD SB (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
This truck is a very reliable truck it has a good suspension for hauling trailers around the farm it handles very well at highway speeds and the only thing I would do to it is to add a larger rear end in it so that the motor doesn't have to strain so much when we are pulling hay wagons out of the fields and this has a very good leaf springs in it because we have hauled a 1500 lb. Safe home from 100 miles away and it didn't break anything
Favorite Features
The truck has a really high stance compared to the regular Ford ranger. It allows for more ground clearance so it can follow my 1984 F250 anywhere around the farm and it can do anything we need it to. It is driven everyday and has plenty of speed if you need to go somewhere fast.
Suggested Improvements
Larger rear end gearing and a 5.0 motor and dual fuel tanks
Nice Little Truck
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Mazda Truck 2dr Regular Cab B3000 Dual Sport 2WD SB (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
Bought it brand new and I have never had a problem. I get about 19 mpg in mixed driving. I have about 65K on original tires. One set of brakes and oil changes every 5K. Not the fastest vehicle, but it will drop a boat in the lake easily with the raised suspension.
Favorite Features
The looks and reliability. It looks sharp and I have never had a problem.
Suggested Improvements
It rides like a truck (but that's what it is).
Best of Times, Worst of Times
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Mazda Truck 2dr Cab Plus B3000 Dual Sport 2WD SB (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
The interior is comfortable and we have taken many long trips in this truck. It's handy for around town, trips to the builder supply store, and the antique shop. It's my work car, and has been reliable so far. All these are offset however by the poor performance and abominable gas mileage: about 13 mpg all the time. My previous car was a full-sized sedan that got 10. Some improvement. The transmission has to work hard all the time and the truck barely keeps up with Bay Area traffic. I had wanted the four-cylinder, 5-speed model, but let myself get flimflammed into this model. It's my fault, but I would never buy this truck, or shop at that dealership again.
Favorite Features
Interior room, seats. Ride is generally good, for a truck.
Suggested Improvements
The 3.0 litre engine is a pushrod unit from the sixties. How about a MODERN engine. Also, area behind rear seats is very hard to access.
Good Truck without Personality
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Mazda Truck 4dr Cab Plus B4000 Dual Sport 2WD SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
I purchased this truck new, trading in a 2000 GMC Sierra. I got a lot of truck for the money. The truck has been reliable except for odometer failure (warranty) and EGR flow sensor. The 4.0L engine and 5-speed auto transmission are a fine drivetrain. The main problem is that this truck just has no personality to distinguish it from the crowd. The tin-can sound of the doors closing doesn't help. I recently installed a Magnaflow catback exhaust which has given the truck a distinctive sound.
Favorite Features
Good acceleration in lower gears. Smooth transmission. 18/22 MPG city/highway since adding K&N air filter and Magnaflow exhaust. Tows trailer well.
Suggested Improvements
Make the doors sound like they are attached to a solid body. More aggressive looking wheels. A real oil pressure gauge.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
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- 2003 Mazda Truck
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