Will it or won't it? Rumor continues to question whether Mazda's B-Series pickup truck will stay around. Definitely a participant for the current 2007 model year and anticipated next year as well, the crystal ball grows foggy after that.

The B-Series has been a nice little compact that fills a niche among those who love Mazdas but prefer a pickup over a snappy, but pricy crossover or a snarly and equally pricy hottie like the Mazda RX8 sporty car edition. When the B-Series got a facelift some half-dozen years ago, it seemed to fit the Mazda mold. It had pep, verve and agility, and by most accounts handled surprisingly well for a small pickup. Besides being useful, it really was fun to drive.

Despite decades of selling small pickups, Mazda of late has been paring anything out of its lineup that doesn't measure up to the "Zoom Zoom" mold. Even its true minivan died in favor of a funkier, crossover version with a definite driver's edge. The B-Series, however, has put down some serious rubber in hot laps driving and earned handling raves at its last re-do for solid performance mechanicals. There's the requisite five-speed manual, plus smoothly shifting five-speed automatic paired with three engines—a 2.3-liter, 143-HP four with best 24/29 MPG (manual), a 3.0-liter, 154-HP V6, and powerful 4.0-liter, 207-HP V6 with hefty tow capability.

Off-road trucking bows to the B-Series equipped with four-wheel-drive and low range gearing that can take on many types of terrain. That capability is boosted by the gas filled shocks and front stabilizer bar found on all models.

The B-Series comes in six varieties, with two regular cabs and four Cab Plus 4 models, ranging in base price from $15,535 to $26,590 for the top-line Cab Plus 4 SE 4X4. Available interior packages or accessories include bucket seats, dimming rear view mirror with compass and, for base model B2300s, an SE-5 package ($1,995) that includes cruise control, tilt steering wheel, AC, AM/FM/CD sound and alloy wheels.

Among amenities are standard car-like four-wheel anti-lock brakes, and cargo-bed tie-down hooks. Options include cargo-bed extender, retractable tie-down hooks, tie-down loops, a soft tonneau cover and folding storage box. Side-impact door beams and dual front airbags, with passenger off switch for children, are among safety features.

With the B-Series still around, we find it a quality, capable and price-conscious ride.