Battle of the Trucks: Mazda B Series vs. Ranger
The Mazda B Series and Ford Ranger are hard to compare because they’re practically the same truck—just with a different logo Learn more here!
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
It’s hard to put a “vs.” between the B Series and the Ranger because they share many identical components resulting from a long-lasting partnership between Ford and Mazda.
Follow along as
Jerry
, the trustworthy insurance comparison app
, takes you on a trip down memory lane. We’ll look at the history of these similar and spunky trucks, where they are today, and how to find high-quality car insurance
for your trusty pickup.Mazda B Series vs. Ford Ranger: introduction
Mazda and Ford have worked hand-in-hand for the majority of the production tenure of these two light pickup trucks. The most prevalent example was from 1994 to 2010, when the Ranger and B Series were both produced at the Ford Twin Cities assembly plant in St. Paul, Minnesota.
This partnership resulted in both trucks having almost identical looks, capabilities, and performance—so there really isn’t much to compare (as you’ll read in this article).
By 2010, the light pickup truck category had begun to evaporate. Ford didn’t see the need to offer both models anymore, so they discontinued the Mazda B Series—with the Ranger soon to follow in 2012.
However, the Ford Ranger was reintroduced in 2019 after Ford saw the success of the
Honda Ridgeline
and Chevy Colorado
in the small truck revival. As of now, there are no plans to bring back the Mazda B Series—although it seems there is a market for it!Mazda B Series vs. Ford Ranger: power & performance
When Ford took over the production for Mazda in 1994, the B-Series inherited the six-cylinder engine from the Ranger (an upgrade from its previous four-cylinder).
Options for both trucks now included a 119-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder, 143-hp 3.0-liter V6, and top-ranging 4.0-liter V6 with 207 horsepower.
However, one of the major downfalls of these trucks was their poor fuel economy. Larger trucks with bigger engines (like the Dodge Ram) outpaced the 17 combined mpg of these little pickups.
MORE:
Mazda tune-up cost
Mazda B Series vs. Ford Ranger: interior & storage
Nailing down these two trucks' exact size and storage capacity is a little tricky due to the wide variety of bed sizes and cab configurations. Each offered a regular or extended cab, a two-door or four-door option, and a choice of a long bed or short bed.
So if each model was configured the same, they also shared almost identical sizing metrics. Here’s a look at a 2009 two-door regular cab as an example:
Model | 2009 Mazda B2300 Series | 2009 Ford Ranger XL |
|---|---|---|
Wheelbase | 111.6 inches | 111.5 inches |
Width | 69.4 inches | 69.3 inches |
Height | 64.9 inches | 66.2 inches |
Bed length | 71.8 inches | 72.7 inches |
Headroom | 39.2 inches | 39.2 inches |
Legroom (front/rear) | 42.4 inches | 42.4 inches |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversIt’s worth noting that these are considered small to mid-size pickup trucks. So if space and cargo capacity are a top priority, you may be better off looking toward
Ford’s F-150 series
.MORE: How to get cheap truck insurance
Mazda B Series vs. Ford Ranger: technology & trims
Remember, we’re talking about some pretty old trucks here. So when it comes to “technology,” all we can really point to is an AM/FM stereo, air conditioning, and power windows in some upper trims.
The different trim levels indicated engine size and configuration (as we just covered) more than any high-tech features. This makes sense, as these trucks were simply made to get the job done—nothing flashy!
Of course, with the release of the Ranger (2019 to present), you’ll find more intuitive features across its trim levels, like touchscreen interfaces, driver-assistance technologies, and dual-zone climate control.
MORE: How to build a custom Ford Ranger
Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversMazda B Series vs. Ford Ranger: towing & off-roading
Since towing capacity is strongly tied to the vehicle's size and engine type, the Mazda B Series and Ford Ranger were equally capable. Here is what you’ll be working with:
- 2.3L four-cylinder towing capacity: 1,600 pounds
- 4.0L V6 towing capacity: 5,600 pounds
- Maximum payload: 1,260 pounds
These trucks also had ample ground clearance and nimble suspension, allowing for some mild off-roading. But many owners used the small-bodied truck as a canvas for their trail-blazing masterpiece. Here are
some off-road modifications
, and compliments of REALMazdaparts.Mazda B Series vs. Ford Ranger: safety
Similar to the technology segment, the safety features of these two pickup trucks are pretty barebones: anti-lock braking system, seat belt, airbags, and that’s it.
Here are the average crash test results for most 1994 through 2009 models:
- Frontal Driver: 5/5
- Frontal Passenger: 4/5
- Side Driver: 5/5
- NHTSA Rollover Rating: 3/5
All-in-all, these aren’t bad ratings considering how basic the safety systems are on these decade-old-plus trucks. But if safety is your number one priority, getting a more modern Ford Ranger is probably a better option.
Mazda B Series vs. Ford Ranger: Reliability
Both the Mazda B Series and Ford Ranger have been known to last over 200,000 miles, and even 250,000 in some cases. No wonder owners call these ol’ reliable!
But, lifespan can vary depending on what kind of hard-working demands you put on your little truck. Constant towing, hauling, and off-roading can expedite wear and tear.
Which is better: Mazda B Series or Ford Ranger?
Besides different grilles and emblems, the Mazda B Series and Ford Ranger are the same truck. So answering the question any further would just be personal bias.
How to find cheap auto insurance for your truck
Obviously, the
Mazda B Series' insurance costs
will be cheaper than a brand-spanking new 2023 Ford Ranger. But, no matter what truck you drive, the Jerry
app can help you instantly locate the most affordable coverage on the market.Here’s how it works: In just 45 seconds, our quote comparison software quickly analyzes rates from over 55 insurance companies. Then we pinpoint the policy that offers the most coverage for the lowest cost—it’s that simple.
Then, once you’ve given us the green light, Jerry’s team of
car insurance
agents will handle all the paperwork to get you switched over to your new policy! “I love how easy it was for me, as someone who has an older beat-up truck, to get insurance without going through a lot of trouble. I would recommend anyone tryJerry, since it’s free!” —Melissa I.
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