2003 Mazda Truck B4000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4

Following a largely carryover year in 2000, Mazda made some significant strides in the powertrain and packaging departments and recently tossed in a few cosmetic upgrades for good measure. We decided to check out one of the more trick B-Series variants: a B4000 Dual Sport Cab Plus 4 model. Base-priced at $20,095, our tester was fitted with the optional automatic transmission ($1,000) and the $595 Convenience Package (keyless remote, bedliner, power mirrors and a sliding rear window), bumping its MSRP up to $22,095.

The Dual Sport is Mazda's higher-riding version of its two-wheel-drive B-Series Cab Plus 4.

In Mazda parlance, the basic Cab Plus 4 formula opens with a pair of conventional doors and a pair of rear-hinged doorlets that grant easier access to the aft portion of the cab. It also brings a pair of flip-down jump seats. The Dual Sport variation nets you a high-utility hauler that combines the visual aspects of a serious off-roader with the smoother ride and affordability of a 4x2 chassis. Rounder contours that help differentiate the B-Series from its Ranger cousin are set off by a more "corporate"-looking grille.


The Dual Sport adds a tweaked lower valance panel, fender flares and bumpers, all done in a monochrome theme. Complementing that color-keyed look, it rides on P235/75SR15 all-season tires wrapped around 15-inch cast-aluminum wheels. In a nutshell, the Dual Sport package provides the look of a 4x4—ride height and ground clearance—but without the added cost of a transfer case. It's obviously inspired by the "pre-runner" trucks of the desert Southwest.

The Dual Sport Cab Plus 4 adds a host of comfort and convenience touches including power windows/locks and an AM/FM/CD sound system.

To bolster that greater visual impact, the B4000 Dual Sport boasts a 4.0-liter SOHC V-6 netting 207 horsepower and 238 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine and its state-of-the-art autoshifter make an impressive team for sure. There's nothing quite like meaningful displacement, a generously broad torque band and well-sorted gear ratios to add a bit of welcome performance, no matter what type of driving you do. In this case, it nets smart acceleration with full-throttle upshifts that cause the tach needle to dip only a few hundred rpm, keeping the engine well on song and pulling strongly.


Our best 0-60 mph run took only 8.6 seconds with the quarter mile rolling by in 16.3 ticks at 84.5 mph. In real-world running, that translates into hassle-free city motoring, plenty of reserve for freeway passes and a surprising amount of capability should you elect to abandon the tarmac for a bit of light-duty off-roading. The 4.0-liter V-6 makes the B4000 a more appealing work truck as well, bringing a 1,260-pound base payload and raising standard tow capacity to 3,781 pounds with the automatic transmission.