Popular ute ditches manual transmission: 2025 Mazda BT-50 goes auto only after major update to the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max rival

Mazda has given its BT-50 workhorse a major upgrade.

The BT-50 is a twin under the skin with the Isuzu D-Max but has Mazda’s very distinctive design language applied.

New styling toughens up the BT-50’s appeal. It has a new bumper, grille, larger Mazda badge and new-look LED lights.

These changes are joined by fresh looking wheels, side body cladding and a re-worked rear end.

The base XS grade arrives priced from $36,400 (before on-road costs), which is about $1000 more than the outgoing version.

It is only available in a single cab chassis layout and is the only model in the line-up powered by a 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine that makes 110kW and 350Nm. This is paired with a six-speed automatic and two-wheel drive.

Mazda has deleted manual transmissions from the BT-50 line-up.

The XS comes with 17-inch steel wheels, cloth seats, an eight-inch multimedia touchscreen and safety tech such as auto emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert and a reversing camera.

Next up is the XT grade, which is available in single cab, freestyle cab and dual-cab body styles.

All XT variants are powered by the same 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine as before, which makes 140kW and 450Nm. This is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and buyers can choose between two- or four-wheel drive.

The XT grade swaps out the steelies from the XS for alloy wheels of the same size. Four-wheel drive variants have a locking rear differential and rough terrain mode. Dual cab versions have rear aircon vents and pick-up shaped variants have tailgate assist and rear parking sensors.

For a full list of prices for the XT, refer to the table below.

Next up is the XTR grade that is only available in a dual-cab body with the choice of a cab chassis or pick-up rear. It uses the same 3.0-litre motor and is available with two- or four-wheel drive.

It steps up its game with 18-inch alloy wheels, front LED fog lights, side steps, folding side mirrors, daytime running lights.

Inside buyers can expect a nine-inch multimedia touchscreen, dual zone air conditioning, satnav, tyre pressure monitoring.

Pick-up shaped XTRs have a tow bar and a tub liner.

For a full list of XTR prices, see the table below.

The GT grade is only available in four-wheel drive, and is available ith either a cab chassis or pick-up back end.

It has heated exterior mirrors, leather wrapped seats that are power adjustable for the driver, both front seats have a heating function and there are front parking sensors and a remote engine starting function.

The top-spec SP is only available as a pick-up shape with four-wheel drive.

It has a range of exterior styling tweaks compared to the GT. These include 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels and gloss black highlights all over, a roller tonneau cover and synthetic leather and suede wrapped seats.

2025 Mazda BT-50 prices

Prices listed are before on-road costs

Variant	Price
BT-50 XS single cab chassis 4x2 1.9TD	$36,400 (+$880)
BT-50 XT single cab chassis 4x2 3.0TD	$39,400 (+$880)
BT-50 XT single cab chassis 4x4 3.0TD	$47,250 (+$1230)
BT-50 XT Freestyle chassis 4x2 3.0TD	$43,000 (+$980)
BT-50 XT Freestyle chassis 4x4 3.0TD	$51,000 (+$1480)
BT-50 XT dual-cab chassis 4x2 3.0TD	$46,610 (+$550)
BT-50 XT dual-cab pick-up 4x2 3.0TD	$48,210 (+$750)
BT-50 XTR dual-cab pick-up 4x2 3.0TD	$53,790 (+$2250)
BT-50 XT dual-cab chassis 4x4 3.0TD	$54,620 (+$790)
BT-50 XTR dual-cab chassis 4x4 3.0TD	$59,650 (+$1770)
BT-50 GT-dual-cab chassis 4x4 3.0TD	$63,070 (+$1810)
BT-50 XT dual-cab pick-up 4x4 3.0TD	$56,220 (+$990)
BT-50 XTR dual-cab pick-up 4x4 3.0TD	$62,750 (+$3470)
BT-50 GT dual-cab pick-up 4x4 3.0TD	$66,170 (+$3510)
BT-50 SP dual-cab pick-up 4x4 3.0TD	$71,500 (+$2810)