For those who want the versatility of a pickup without the parking hassles, fuel costs, and garage shrinkage of one of those monster-truck wannabes, Mazda offers its 2008 B-Series truck lineup. This pint-size pickup has remained the same, at least in size, since it’s inception in 1972, and remains one of the last true compact pickups on the market.

Dropping the B-3000 trim for ’08, Mazda’s B-Series trucks are unchanged from ’07 and are offered in three trims, the B-2300, B-4000, and B-4000 SE. Each trim's name reflects the size of its engine displacement, 2.3 liters and 4.0 liters, respectively. The ’08 B-2300 is a two-door, three-passenger regular cab pickup available only with a rear-wheel drivetrain (RWD). The B-4000 and B-4000 SE trims are four-door (rear “suicide” doors), four- and five-passenger extended cab (Cab Plus 4) trucks, available only with four-wheel drive (4WD). Both the B-2300 and B-4000 have a 6-foot bed and a 1,260-pound payload capacity.

The ‘08 Mazda B-2300 is equipped with a 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder (I4) engine that puts out 143 hp and 154 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the B2300, with a five-speed automatic offered as an option. Though the B-2300 is capable of towing a paltry 2,260 pounds, EPA estimates are 21/26 mpg.

For 2008 Mazda's B-4000 trims offer a 4.0-liter V6 engine capable of 207 hp and 238 lb-ft of torque. The B-4000 trim comes with the standard five-speed manual transmission, with the five-speed auto optional, while the five-speed automatic is standard in the ’08 B-4000 SE. The 4.0-liter V6 is rated to tow a respectable 5,600 pounds, but EPA estimates for the B-4000 trims run 15/19 with the manual tranny, and 14/17 for the automatic.

Mazda’s ’08 B-Series trucks, because of their smaller dimensions, are agile and well-mannered on-road and off. Additionally, the B-Series pickup is a snap to park and allows more than a push-broom handle to be stored in the garage alongside it.

Standard appearance, comfort, and convenience features for the ’08 Mazda B-2300 include 15-inch steel wheels, cloth bench seats, cupholders, a center storage console, trailer wiring, and an AM/FM stereo radio. The 2008 B-4000 adds painted bumpers, cruise control with wheel-mounted buttons, air-conditioning, rear jump seats, and carpeted floormats. The top-line ’08 B-4000 SE kicks in 16-inch alloy wheels, power windows, locks, and mirrors, leather steering-wheel trim, a trailer hitch, rear privacy glass, skid plates, all-terrain tires, a CD player, and a sliding rear window.

Options for the ’08 Mazda B-Series include air-conditioning, tilt-wheel steering, a bedliner, and cruise control, as well as alloy wheels and a CD player for the B2300, and a bed extender and cloth front bucket seats for the B-4000 and B4000 SE trims.

Safety features for the ‘08 B-Series include four-wheel front-disc/rear-drum ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, front airbags, passenger seatbelt deactivation, and seatbelt force limiters.

Owners find that, though roominess is at a premium in the ’08 Mazda B-Series cabin, and standard features and acceleration leave a lot to be desired in the B-2300, sporty looks, reliability, mileage, handling, and maneuverability add up to a lot of value for only a little money.