Mazda BT-50 Reviews

The Mazda BT-50 range has been through a Ford Ranger-based generation and now the second phase of its Isuzu D-Max-based generation. This latest update has brought more safety gear, new wheels and exterior lighting, an upgraded multimedia system, as well as styling tweaks across the board, including to the interior trim. Prices have gone up across the range so is the new top-shelf SP worth a look?

Mazda's expansive BT-50 line-up is crowned by the SP. This is the style icon of the line-up, aimed at buyers who want a ute with a sporty, dynamic look.The SP is only available as a 4x4 dual cab pick-up and adds a range of gloss black elements for a unique visual appearance, including 18-inch alloys, sports bar, side steps, fender flares, roof rails, exterior mirror caps and door handles, while also getting a manually-operated roller tonneau cover and black and terracotta synthetic leather and suede seat trim.The SP is only available as a 4x4 pick-up and is exclusively powered by the 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine. Like the rest of the 3.0-litre 4x4 range fuel economy is rated at 8.0L/100km.Pricing for the SP starts at $71,500, plus on-road costs, but Mazda is offering a big saving at launch by doing a $67,990 drive-away deal.

The Mazda BT-50 GT is sandwiched between the popular XTR and stylish SP in the range.It includes all of the elements of the XTR but adds more, so the list of standard equipment is long. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED front fog lights, daytime running lights (DRLs), side steps, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, navigation, a tub liner and tow bar plus leather seats, electronically adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, remote engine start and front parking sensors.The GT, is only available as a 4x4 pick-up and is exclusively powered by the 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine. Like the rest of the 3.0-litre 4x4 range fuel economy is rated at 8.0L/100km.The list price for the GT is $63,070 plus on-road costs for the cab chassis or $66,170 for the pick-up, but Mazda is offering the latter at $65,990 drive-away from launch. This puts it into the more premium ute market, up against the likes of the Ford Ranger Sport and Toyota HiLux SR5.

The Mazda BT-50 XTR is the sweet spot in the range, finding a nice balance between price and standard equipment.The XTR is only available with the 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and six-speed automatic, but has the choice of 4x4 or 4x2. You can also choose between a pick-up or cab chassis. Fuel economy is officially rated at 8.0L/100km on the combined cycle.Standard equipment for the XTR includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED front fog lights, daytime running lights (DRLs), side steps, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, navigation and the pick-up variants get a tub liner and tow bar with receiver, tongue and wiring harness.The BT-50 XTR pick-up 4x4 is $62,490 drive-away at launch, with a usual list price of $62,750, plus on-road costs. The XTR 4x2 starts at $53,790, plus on-roads.

The Mazda BT-50 XT is one of the most versatile members of the range. It's available as a single cab or dual cab and is the only option if you want the Freestyle cab.It's available with the 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission, with the choice of either 4x2 or 4x4. Fuel economy is rated at 8.0L/100km for 4x4 models and 7.7L/100km for 4x2.It comes equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, black cloth seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8.0-inch colour multimedia touchscreen, a rear locking differential and rough-terrain mode on 4x4 models, rear-air conditioning (for dual cabs) and tailgate assist and rear parking sensors for pick-up models. The BT-50 XT is priced from $39,400 for the single cab, from $43,000 for the Freestyle and starts at $46,610 (all prices exclude on-road costs) for the dual cab.

The XS single cab chassis is the entry-level model to the 2025 Mazda BT-50 range.Priced from $36,400 (plus on-road costs) - but available at launch for $38,990 drive-away - the XS comes equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, black cloth seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an 8.0-inch colour multimedia touchscreen.The XS is powered by a 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which makes 110kW/350Nm, and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine is unique to the XS and is only available with 4x2.It's smaller engine makes it the most frugal member of the range, using just 7.7L/100km.

The Mazda BT-50 is the under-rated star of the Japanese brand's line-up. Often overshadowed by its SUV siblings, the 'black sheep' of the Mazda family is actually one of its best-sellers.It has been updated for 2025, with a fresh look to try and attract more ute buyers who prefer a tough-looking truck. We put it through its paces on- and off-road to see how this new model stacks up.

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