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Utes a big business in Australia, but despite being mechanically identical to the popular selling Isuzu D-Max, Mazda’s BT-50 doesn’t sell as strongly.
VALUE
The previous Mazda BT-50 was developed with Ford but this time the Japanese brand has used Isuzu’s dependable ute platform, sharing most mechanical elements such as the engine, transmission and four-wheel drive set-up.
There are multiple body styles including single, freestyle and dual-cab. Buyers can choose between two- and four-wheel drive.
Prices range from about $43,600 drive away for a two-wheel-drive, single cab chassis XS variant and rise to about $80,000 for the fully loaded four-wheel-drive dual-cab Thunder.
We are testing the BT-50 XT, the second rung on the brand’s four-wheel drive dual-cab ladder.
It’s priced at about $57,800 drive-away, which undercuts the equivalent Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger. here is next to no wait times as Mazda has plenty in stock.
The BT-50’s styling is softer than other utes, rejecting the tough guy looks of rivals for a more SUV-like design.
The XT is a proper work ute and there isn’t much in the way of fancy features.
It does have 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and a lockable tailgate, though.
A seven-inch touchscreen is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Mazda covers the BT-50 with a five-year/unlimited km warranty and capped price servicing will set owners back close to $2500 over five years.
COMFORT
Top-end dual-cab utes are lined with heated and cooled leather seats, wide screen displays and digital dashboards but the BT-50 XT has none of those.
Its cloth seats are manually adjustable but are comfortable and supportive. Vinyl floors are easier to clean compared to plush carpet in more expensive grades.
No side steps make it hard for shorter passengers to get in and out.
Simple, easy to use climate controls make adjusting temperature and hitting the demister on the go a cinch.
It’s plastic fantastic inside with hard wearing surfaces throughout including on the dash, doors, steering wheel and gear selector.
There is plenty of room in the back seat and rear passengers have their own air vents and a USB charging port.
SAFETY
One thing Mazda doesn’t skimp on is safety. There’s a wide array of active driver aids, including auto emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance.
The BT-50 will also warn you if a vehicle is in your blind spot and alert you if a car is approaching from the side as you reverse.
A full complement of airbags cover both rows.
DRIVING
Utes aren’t dynamic masterpieces despite being used as pseudo-family cars these days.
Unladen the BT-50 is a rough ride but with some passengers and weight in the tray the ride smooths out substantially.
Its steering is quicker and sharper than some rivals, which makes it feel more nimble around town despite its hefty proportions.
As with most utes, the BT-50 feels big and unwieldy when tackling consistent tight turns.
The 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine doesn’t have the headline grabbing power and torque figures of some rivals but its 140kW and 450Nm provide ample grunt to tow 3500kg and haul a payload of more than one tonne.
The six-speed automatic works well with the turbodiesel engine, flicking through the gears deftly to make the most of the modest torque delivered from just 1600rpm. It sounds loud and coarse when called upon to accelerate hard, though.
Its four-wheel drive set-up has low-range gearing for those wanting to tackle tough terrain, while a locking rear differential adds further mettle to its off-road ability.
Mazda claims the BT-50 drinks 8.0L/100km, which is about average for a dual-cab ute.
VERDICT 3.5/5
Despite the soft-roader looks the BT-50 XT is a proper low-frills workhorse that can match it with the big boys.
ALTERNATIVES
Isuzu D-Max SX 4×4 Dual Cab, from about $56,900 drive-away
Mechanically identical to the Mazda but cheaper. Its warranty is 150,000km instead of unlimited km.
Toyota HiLux SR 4×4 Dual Cab, from about $59,400 drive-away
Australia’s favourite ute with proven reliability and cheap servicing costs. Showing its age inside and sub-par drive experience.
Ford Ranger XL 4×4 Dual Cab Bi-Turbo, from about $59,800 drive-away
Benchmark ute that has plenty of clever features, but is more expensive than most.
MAZDA BT-50 XT DUAL CAB 4×4
PRICE About $57,800 drive-away
ENGINE 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, 140kW and 450Nm
WARRANTY/SERVICING Five years/unlimited km, $2443 over five years
SAFETY Eight airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert.
THIRST 8.0L/100km
SPARE Full-size steel
PAYLOAD/TOWING 1090kg/3500kg braked
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