Mazda BT-50

The Mazda BT-50 gets a makeover to keep it in line with the rest of the range, but does it live up to Mazda's premium push?

The differences are skin deep, but the facelifted Mazda BT-50 was already a good thing. This latest iteration is even better.

Are Australians missing a trick by overlooking the humble Mazda BT-50 in view of more popular offerings?

Does Mazda's Pro Pack upgrades give the BT-50 ute the leg-up it needs in the tough-truck stakes?

Here are the two brand-new cars the Drive team would buy for a combined $100,000 before on-road costs.

Drive-away pricing of the D-Max X-Terrain has risen, along with the X-Rider, while BT-50 SP remains unchanged.

The lack of an updated flagship Mazda BT-50 Thunder specification is only temporary, according to Mazda boss.

Mazda’s annual M Event kicks off with savings of up to $1500 for eligible 2024 models.

Dual-cab utes have become Australia's favourite car, but which models can you buy for $80K?

The Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50 are Australia's most fuel-efficient utes, but how do the rest stack up?

Buying a used Mazda BT-50? Here are the model years to buy used – and the ones to avoid.

For dual-cab ute owners looking to keep a lid on running costs, which 4x4 is cheapest to own and run?

I've owned the BT since late 2016. I bought the car as I wanted a vehicle that I could utilize for daily driving, picking up the kids from school, towing, camping and for going out bush 4wding. I was originally in the market for a Ford Ranger XLT however I opted for the not so good looking sister, the BT50 on the basis that it was $8000 cheaper and also down to the fact I have a good relationship with my local Mazda dealership.My personal experience with aftersales service with Mazda is that should there be an issue they will honour their end of the warrantee with out a fight. In comparison to the Ranger the BT is the no frills version. Which depending on who you are may or may not suit you. While the BT is by no means a race car it is quite quick for a vehicle of its size and can hold its own off-road. I've taken the BT a number of times to the powerlines East of Perth even when I only had the highway terrain tyres on and it went everywhere the beaten up 4x4s went but with the luxury of air con. The 3.2 while thirsty compared to the smaller dual cabs hauls a$$ when you put the foot down. My dislikes with the BT is the infotainment system. Which seems to malfunction right when you want to use it and a clunky gear box. (6spd auto) Also the rear-view camera takes some getting use to as the vision is displayed on the actual rear view mirror. The wheel offset as well is a not so common offset so trying to get aftermarket wheels that don't poke out of the guards or exceed the legality of track width for you state is can be difficult. Reliability wise I've had no issues. No break downs. Besides the Infotainment system which seems to be addressed it the later models with an Alpine unit. As an improvement I would like to see the BT50s dash cluster upgraded to something similar to that on the Ranger. However that is something that would be reflective in purchase costs which is one of the reasons I purchased the BT50 over the Ranger.

I have this now for 4.5 years and clocked up 100,000 k. the only fault in the vehicle I have found is that the Turbo Inter-cooler hoses are very flimsy, only 1 strand of cord and thin walled. first one blew at only 860,000 k at a cost of $135.00 inc. F & H. Most other inter-cooler hoses on other makes of vehicles have lasted up to and beyond 10 years and 400,000 k plus. It has been reported to Mazda Australia. Other than that ,no complaints at all. I travel 260 k round trip once a week on rough dirt road and a lot of bush work along with that on weekends etc. The suspension Installed is the Tough Dog 50mm lift soft ride springs with air bags on the rear leaf springs to adjust accordingly with the pay load. There bis plenty of room in the cab for 5 adults, (size does matter), or 4 and the dog. Pulling/towing power is one of the outstanding features of these. Towing a 10 x 6 ft H/D trailer full of steel supplies and blue metal is a piece of cake with the transmission performing with ease, very rarely changes down on inclines. Rap up....... all good but needs something done about those inter cooler hoses, radiator hoses are a lot more beefier than them, so lets get it right Mazda and people will get a trouble free vehicle for some time to enjoy at a low cost of maintenance, cheers and safe driving.

We entered the new car market with our 18 mth old sr5 hilux t/d auto dualcab drove three or four competitors then drove into a Mazda dealer. The dealer gave us the keys to a bt50 gt to go for a test drive and were blown away with the ride quietness and awesome power over our much loved old hilux . The changeover was right on the money and we ought it we have since done 6000 ks all with a smile on my face and the consumption figs of hiighway cycle 7.8 ltres per 100 ks were even more impressed . With our first service still some time off weve not had a problem and know it will be more expensive to service than the hilux but being the vehicle it is and how it performs towing our van we will live with that . Well done Mazda ( we think the new facelift is great too ) We ae heading off towing for an extended holiday shortly and have done some local trips towing and have been very impressed with fuel consumption and towing performance over the old hilux . Its nice being able to head up some fairly serious hills and not end up back in second gear the mazda just flies over them . The gt has a very well appointed leather trimmed interior which we find very comfortable after many hours on the road my wife says it doesnt feel like a ute more like a luxury car to be driven around in it . Were very impressed once again well done mazda .