Essentially unchanged from ‘08, the 2009 Mazda B-Series pickup is not for those with serious hauling and towing expectations. What this Ford Ranger twin does offer is a rugged chassis, a lot of maneuverability in traffic and cramped parking lots, better-than-adequate off-road capability, and very few frills. One important safety addition for ’09, however, is a standard ABS system.

For 2009, the Mazda B-Series pickup is offered in two trim levels, the B2300 and the B4000. The numbers represent the engine size that’s standard for each trim, with B2300s featuring a 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder (I4) engine and B4000s offering a 4.0-liter V6. The B2300 is offered only in a regular, two-door cab, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration, while the B4000 features a four-door, extended cab and shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive (4WD). Both trims offer a standard 6-foot bed.

The I4-equipped ’09 B2300 is capable of 143 hp at 5,250 rpm and 154 lb-ft of torque at 3,750 rpm. While capable of towing a maximum of only 2,260 pounds, the 2.3-liter I4 in combination with the standard five-speed manual transmission gets an EPA-estimated 21/26 mpg.

The ’09 B4000's standard V6 puts out 207 hp at 5,250 rpm and 238 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. This engine, when mated to the standard five-speed manual transmission, gets an EPA-estimated 15/19 and, when properly equipped, the 4WD B4000 can tow up to 5,500 pounds. In addition, a five-speed automatic transmission is offered as an option for both the ’09 B2300 and B4000 trims with a corresponding marginal drop in mileage figures.

Standard comfort, convenience, and appearance features for both ’09 Mazda B-Series trims include a trailer hitch and wiring, tachometer, clock, 15-inch steel wheels, a sliding rear window, a front storage console, and an in-dash AM/FM stereo with two speakers. The B4000 adds the extended cab with rear jump seats and air-conditioning. Options for the B-Series include the SE 5 package with air-conditioning (for the B2300), tilt-wheel steering, cruise control, 15-inch alloy wheels, and a single-CD player with four speakers.

Mazda’s ’09 B-Series pickups are available with a somewhat lean offering of standard safety features. Such safety features include only the new four-wheel ABS with front disc and rear drum brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, and passenger airbag occupant-sensing deactivation. Despite the dearth of standard safety items, the ’09 Mazda earned respectable four- and five-star ratings in NHTSA front and side impact testing.

Owners of the ’08 Mazda B-Series, while lamenting its dated looks, lack of cabin space, and less-than-stellar ride, lauded its sturdiness, off-road capabilities (though not the lack of an available off-road package), as well as the acceleration of the 4.0-liter V6, and the respectable fuel economy of the 2.3-liter I4.