Mazda B2300 vs. Dodge Dakota Review

Utility
The Dodge will most definitely prove friendlier than the Mazda B2300 for those of you with frequent kid-cargo. The Dodge Dakota is a better choice than the B2300 with respect to hauling capacity, especially if you often need to carry a lot of luggage or big animals. The Dodge Dakota outpulls the Mazda B2300 by a massive margin.

Performance
With that kind of horsepower, the Dodge Dakota is a true sports car. With respect to horsepower, the Dodge Dakota packs quite a wallop and will knock the Mazda B2300 down a few rungs. However, note that high horsepower engines often command higher insurance premiums.

Dimensions
The Dodge Dakota is tremendously heavier than the Mazda B2300. Your wallet will hurt more every time you fill up the Dodge Dakota than the Mazda because of its larger tank. The Mazda B2300 fits in smaller parking spaces than the Dodge Dakota. The Dodge Dakota's longer wheelbase will result in a smoother, more stable ride; on the flip side, the B2300 may give a more agile feel in daily traffic.

Convenience
The Dodge Dakota's fuel tank will need to be replenished somewhat more often than the unit in the Mazda.

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs roughly the same to get the Dodge to the dealership as the Mazda B2300. The Dodge Dakota pales in comparison to the Mazda when it comes to gas mileage. The Mazda B2300 will save you money at the pump compared to the Dodge Dakota. The Mazda B2300 is tremendously less costly than the Dodge in terms of MSRP. The Mazda B2300 will save you a bundle at the pump every year compared to the Dodge. The Dodge Dakota will cost you a lots_of_money in gas every year compared to the Mazda B2300.

Handling
With its tighter turning radius, the Mazda B2300 is quite certainly sprier than the Dodge Dakota, something to consider if you do a lot of city driving; on the other hand, keep in mind that a vehicle with a tight turning circle may feel a bit twitchy on the highway.

Drivetrain
The Dodge has a bigger engine than the Mazda B2300. Keep in mind that smaller engines typically get better gas mileage, but smaller engines can be stressed more. Torque equals pickup, and the Dodge Dakota will have picked up and gone by the time the B2300 finally gets moving. The Mazda could learn a lesson or two from the Dodge Dakota with respect to pickup.

Comfort
While the front cabin in the Dodge Dakota offers a bit more head room than the Mazda B2300, there frankly isn't much of a difference.

Warranty
The B2300 and the Dodge Dakota have the same basic warranty.