Mazda's BT-50
While the abundance of choice and customization possibilities may be appreciated by customers in the high-end luxury vehicle market, the opposite is true for double-cabs and single-tons, with the majority of buyers preferring vehicles packaged to their liking. rack. Choice is king and offering multiple variants on a given model range is a great way to increase appeal.
Take, for example, the most popular ute model in Australia at the time this article was written. Ford is offering 10 double-cab versions of the Ranger and, while there are still several options to be offered later, sales show there's something for everyone.
Mazda's offering also continues to be a popular choice in the vehicle segment, with the BT-50 competing in the top five favorite vehicles in Australia, and they are also expanding their range to offer more choice.
For now, the XS and XT represent the most affordable of the range, while the slightly lukewarm GT, SP, and Thunder tackle the pointy end, but somewhere in the middle Mazda offers the
It's this very well-rounded variant that Mazda chose as the basis for a new offering dubbed the 2023 Mazda BT-50 the flyer said.
Oh, and don't worry. There are still plenty of Mazda factory options on offer if you want to build something bespoke.
Opening the BT-50 double-cab range is the XS, which is the only version to get the smallest 1.9-litre diesel engine and, while all other variants are offered with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmission, the entry version is automatic only. It's priced at $51,510 before on-road costs, which is about the same as the next version, the XT when ordered with a manual gearbox. Adding an automatic transmission costs between $2500 and $3000 depending on the variant.
At the top of the range, the BT-50 Thunder car costs $71,290 plus on-road costs and represents the flagship of the fleet with the highest level of equipment inside and out.
However, in the middle of the family, the XTR offers a respectable list of standard equipment at $57,610 before on-road costs when ordered with a six-speed automatic. That's cheaper than Toyota's midrange champion SR5 and Ford's Ranger XLT.
However, adding the LE to the XTR badge would increase the price by about $6700 bringing it to $64,295, and Mazda doesn't offer that variant as a more affordable manual transmission like almost all the others.
The BT-50 tested here may look as if it ticks a few option boxes, but it just uses the LE's standard inclusions, and that's the goal of this new variant. With some tougher exterior trim, the LE offers a custom look without having to break out the wrenches.
A polished aluminum roof bar, stainless sports bar, full tray liner, and Ingot Silver paint are all included in the price and added to the same kit list that is standard on the XTR. This may raise the asking price by a few thousand dollars, but Mazda says the LE saves customers $2,500 if the option is matched to the standard XTR.
If you want the tougher look of the Thunder but without the hefty price tag, the LE offers a more elegant execution as it doesn't get the slightly awkward plastic arch extensions, but practical and aesthetically pleasing side steps are included. The bright metallic extras versus the Thunder's black pieces are a matter of preference.
Important 2023 Mazda BT-50 XTR LE details
The price is $64,295 plus travel costs
Test car color Metal Silver Ingot
Options None
The price as tested was $64,295 plus on-road costs
Drive away price $68,882 (Melbourne)
Ford Ranger Rival | Isuzu D-Max | Mitsubishi Triton
As with most double cabs, boarding the BT-50 is a process of climbing into the cabin, which may be inconvenient for short passengers and potentially difficult to load luggage or children into the second row of seats. The rear doors also don't open as wide as some competitors, and that may exacerbate the problem for some people.
However, once in use, the BT-50 has one of the most accommodating cabins in its segment. The front seats in the LE are very comfortable with excellent support, especially for the shoulders and lower back. At the same time, the fabric upholstery strikes the right balance between quality and usability. Of course, it doesn't feel cheap. There's about 90mm of headroom over the 188cm driver and enough elbow room for both front passengers.
Too many double cabs offer greatly reduced second-row comfort, but the Mazda is one of the best with a comfortable recline angle – not the upright church pews offered by many of its rivals – just enough headroom for taller passengers, and around 100mm. The knee room with the driver's seat is set for the same driver with a height of 188cm.
Rear passengers also get a folding center armrest with two small cupholders, AC vents (but no three-zone climate panel), a USB charging socket, and even roof-mounted speakers. There's also a neat little folding hook hidden in the front passenger seat for hanging a suit bag or whatever else you choose.
The large door pockets can accommodate large bottles and the same goes for the front. We especially like the tiered glove box (although the entire bottom space is occupied by one of the largest user guides in gaming), and there's plenty of storage in and around the center console. Front occupants also get one USB-A socket and a 12-volt PowerPoint.
Spend a little extra money on a top-grade GT or SP and Mazda will equip the interior with one of the most car-like cabins on the ute market. But on the XTR and LE, there's more evidence to suggest the BT-50's relationship to the Isuzu D-Max has a more purposeful feel.
Too much hard plastic adorns the dash and door trim with only a small amount of cloth-covered surface covering it. Traditional analog gauges look increasingly dated in the age of digital displays – despite the colorful screen nestled between the speedo and tacho which, despite its small size of 4.2 inches, contains a surprising amount of vehicle information.
With its extra equipment, the XTR LE's tray load is under the 1000kg mark and prevents it from claiming to be a one-tonne vehicle, but with a maximum rating of 989kg, it can still handle quite a large payload.
The LE gets points for the tray protector, which is part of the standard equipment and helps prevent damage to the BT-50's paint as well as items stored inside. But with only two tie-down points at the rear, it's less versatile than other ute load bays. Higher grade variants are offered a more secure but space-consuming roller cover, while the LE's stainless sports bar doesn't encroach on valuable load area.
With a distance between wheel arch intrusions of 1120mm, the LE can't accommodate a full-size Australian standard pallet (1165x1165mm) in the rear tray, while its 1571mm length and almost half a meter (490mm) depth make for a huge bin volume. accommodating.
2023 Mazda BT-50 XTR LE
Seat Five
Payload 989kg
Length 5280mm
Width 1870mm
2160mm (including mirror)
Height 1790mm
Wheelbase 3125mm
A 9.0-inch touchscreen is at the heart of all BT-50 variants and offers access to a decent number of entertainment and information features, but it's unchanged compared to the XTR for LE spec. This includes a native navigation system, digital radio, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring.
However, while the latter is available wirelessly or via cable, Android Auto is only available when plugged in at this stage.
Once it's up and running, the graphics are sharp the display is unique, and the touchscreen responds quickly to instructions. But the system takes 20 seconds to boot when the ignition is turned on, and it's not the brightest display in its class, which can make information harder to read in bright conditions.
We commend Mazda for resisting the temptation to bury the climate control options in the digital display (as some brands do), with hard switches preferably located beneath the display for maximum convenience.
An eight-speaker sound system and self-dimming rearview mirror complete the list of respectable tech for a mid-range spec. You won't find a head-up display, heated seats, or electric seat adjustments currently on the market, highlighting the XTR version's position as the leader of the range, while the LE adds a more rugged exterior. only.
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) tested the BT-50 in 2022 and awarded it a full five-star rating with praise for curtain airbags for both rows of seats, the introduction of a driver knee airbag, and a comprehensive active suite. security features.
However, these ratings apply to all but the Thunder and now the LE. The addition of a fully engineered front bar is unlikely to impact passenger safety, but the protection of pedestrians and other road users may be affected if ANCAP tests the pair.
2023 Mazda BT-50 XTR LE
ANCAP Rating Not yet rated
Safety report Link to ANCAP report (for regular BT-50 range)
Australian Consumers will no longer be offered entry to a double cabin for safety equipment simply because the class falls within the light commercial categorization. Furthermore, one-ton production has increased dramatically in recent years, and the BT-50 is no exception.
The XTR LE is equipped with adaptive cruise control, driver attention monitoring, automatic LED headlights with high-beam control, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), and rear cross-traffic alert.
There is also space to install two child seats with ISOFIX mounts including top tethers.
Of course, in an emergency, you'll be glad that they're included as standard, but in normal day-to-day driving, some of the active safety features can be a bit frustrating.
Firstly, the rear camera has a rather poor resolution and does not represent high-quality touchscreen graphics. Forward collision avoidance is overzealous in both its warning of perceived danger and subsequent automatic application of the brakes.
Lastly, lane-keeping assist is very effective, but the force exerted on the steering is too aggressive and difficult to overcome if the system intervenes unnecessarily.
How much does it cost to maintain a Mazda BT-50?
All Mazdas, including the BT-50, are sold with a five-year, unlimited-kilometer warranty that also includes roadside assistance. Service intervals are every 15,000 km or 12 months – whichever comes first.
The first scheduled maintenance appointment to one of Mazda's 150 service centers will cost $443, the third visit is the most expensive at $699, while a full five years of maintenance will cost around $2400.
The cost of BT-50 insurance is $1296 per year based on a comparison quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates will vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
2023 Mazda BT-50 XTR LE at a glance
Five-year guarantee, unlimited km
Service interval 12 months or 15,000km
Service fee $1551 (3 years)
$2404 (5 years)
Is the Mazda BT-50 fuel-efficient?
The BT-50 may not have the most advanced or refined drivetrain, but it is one of the most frugal in its class. Mazda claims it will return an average figure of 8.0 liters per 100 km, slightly above average for the category.
During our time with the LE, consumption figures were 9.4L/100km during suburban duty, but the average was 8.9L/100km.
In comparison, Ford's four-cylinder diesel Ranger has a smaller engine and a pair of turbochargers for good power and torque but lower fuel consumption – 7.6L/100km on average.
Perhaps a closer comparison is the Toyota HiLux, which has a 2.8-litre engine and uses an average of between 7.8L/100km and 8.4L/100km depending on the variant.
Since the BT-50 that's a good thing.
With underpinnings borrowed from the excellent Isuzu D-Max, the Mazda is also one of the best vehicles to drive, relatively speaking. Compared to its Japanese sibling, the BT-50's ride is slightly refined to improve ride quality, while its steering and body control remain sharp and composed.
A 3.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine is also shared with the Isuzu, and its outputs of 140kW and 450Nm are average for the segment. There's more noise than some of its rivals, but power delivery is generally strong despite having little agricultural or commercial character.
Peak torque comes in a narrow band of just 1000rpm, meaning it's easy to get out of the zone of maximum growl, and, with just six gears to play with, it can be a kind of cat-and-mouse that extracts optimal performance from the engine. BT-50.
This steadfast diesel engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that is starting to look old in a market filled with seven, eight, and even 10-speed units in the Ranger. Gear shifts can be a little clunky and smooth only if you're not in a rush.
Unlike the Ford, the Mazda's size is still very manageable. While it's a shame that the BT-50 is confined to largely urban landscapes, it's one of the most enjoyable (least frustrating) vehicles on narrow roads with heavier traffic.
On the open road, the Mazda handles distance admirably. There's no disguising the active rear axle and a bit of classic ladder-chassis vibration, but the suspension is relatively composed and good for all occupants' comfort. Road noise from the standard fitment 265/60 R18 Bridgestone Dueler H/T tires is quite low, and general cabin comfort is only diminished by wind noise around the driver's door that sounds like a dodgy window or door seal.
Those looking to tow with the LE will appreciate the industry standard maximum of 3500kg braked or 750kg unbraked and a maximum tow ball weight of 350kg. Electronic trailer-sway mitigation is also included.
If the sub-1000kg payload is a bit of a letdown, Mazda has a great configurator on its website for calculating BT-50 option combinations and their impact on tray capacity. This even allows you to increase the planned weight of the toolbox and so on.
Important 2023 Mazda BT-50 XTR LE details
Engine 3.0-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine
Power 140kW @ 3600rpm
Torque 450Nm @ 1600–2600rpm
Drive Type Part-time 4x4, low-range transfer case,
rear differential lock
Transmission Six-speed torque converter automatic
Power to weight ratio 66kW/t
Weight (curb) 2111kg
Spare tire type Full size
Tow rating 3500kg braked
750kg unbraked
Spinning a 12.5m circle
As more and more Australians turn to one-tonne cars as primary family cars, comfort, convenience, and safety are now priorities for these once humble cars. At the BT-50 end of the range, the SP and Thunder offer one of the most car-like options on the market, and perhaps second only to the Ford Ranger.
However, the new
At under $60K, the standard location or school environment.
However, if there's a customization itch you can't resist scratching, the new LE delivers a perfectly balanced engine that covers a lot of bases, packs in a look that has a bit of flagship appeal and appears to command a great price. more than the actual price to upgrade.
