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PARTNER OR PLAYMATE?
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Mazda is aiming, to boost its presence in the pickup market. But will it cut the mustard? Emma Penny reports.
With the pickup market burgeoning, many manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon and producing"lifestyle" trucks for those people lucky enough to have yachts to pull orjetskis to load in the back.
But there is a risk that in their desire to please that sector of the public, they alienate their core market: people who want a rugged 4x4 vehicle that will go anywhere with a tonne of cement or any other cargoin the back.
So what of Mazda's offering? Its B2500 pickup is a half-brother to Ford's Ranger 2.5TD both are produced on the same factory line in Thailand. Like the Ranger,it comes in a variety of guises; ordinary single cab, double cab and a cab and a half, which is fitted with pillar-less freestyle or suicide doors the same concept as Mazda's RX-8 sports car.
'Lifestyle' image
From the outside,the Mazda looks pretty much like any other pickupnice metallic colours and plenty of chrome to go with the "lifestyle" image. Inside, the latest models have had a slight facelift really more of a nip and tuck than radical surgery, with some new trim on the interior and a few added storage areas. However, there's still nowhere you can hide any bags or anything at all bulky away from prying eyes while the vehicle is parked up, although the box between the seats will take some kit.
Our other, seemingly minor quibble the cup holders -could have big ramifications; surely it's potentially danger ous when small bottles of water fall out of the cupholders when on the move and roll under the driver's pedals...
Like most other pickups, the Mazda makes only passing reference to back-seat passenger comfort. Like most others,it's a bench seat with only reasonable legroomnot too comfortable on long journeys. However, if you're the driver or passenger in the front, you will travel in more comfort, as well as getting a better view than those relegated to the back.
Less jumpy
Interior criticisms aside, the Mazda scores on the road. It has a better ride than some of its rivals, being less jumpy on the road, particularly without any cargo in the back. But it is also rather gutless below 1,800rpm you wouldn't want to be aiming to go anywhere fast at low revs as it just dies. Get the 2.5-litre 108hp turbodiesel engine above 2,000rpm though and it is a lot more responsive. Although we haven't driven the 85hp naturally aspirated version,we're not expecting it to be a ball of fire.
We were lucky enough to test drive round the Greek island of Corfu across a range of surfaces, and we found it a well-mannered vehicle.The steering is responsive a vital factor when you are negotiating tight, twisty Greek villagesand the brakes worked well too. ABS and EBD are standard on everything other than the single cab vehicles.
We didn't get a chance to pit it against a really gruelling four wheel drive task, but did try it over some small beach dunes where it performed more than adequately -as you'd expect from a vehicle designed for tough offroading.
We'd have loved the chance to try the Mazria with a full payload in the back to see what effect it had on its performance. but fromwhat we'veseen,it's a capable all-rounder.
While its engine isn't as up-to-date as that of some of its competitor — and that means its fuel consumption probably won't be as good either —it seems a good bet if you're looking for a middle-of-the-road four wheel drive pickup for your business.
Prices have also been cut until 30 September, which might have a bearing on buying decisions