2025 Mazda BT-50 off-road review: Australian first drive

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2025 Mazda BT-50

There is no standing still in the dual-cab ute market. Competition on several fronts means car makers must continually update their products to avoid being left behind.

That's why we're at the launch of the brand-new facelifted Mazda BT-50. The BT-50 has been updated four times since the third-generation model was introduced in 2020. However, this round of updates is the most comprehensive of all.

It keeps much of the same hardware as before. That means the 3.0-litre diesel engine shared with Isuzu still sits under the bonnet and much of the interior will be familiar too.

That said, the exterior has seen an extensive overhaul that brings the BT-50’s styling closer to its Mazda showroom siblings. The brand has also introduced subtle changes under the skin to improve on the established formula.

Drive was invited to the model's launch, and I was keen to find out whether the changes go far enough for the increased prices. Here's how I got on.

How much is a Mazda BT-50?

This major update takes place after its twin-under-the-skin, the Isuzu D-Max, was revised earlier roughly 12 months ago. That overhaul brought design changes and tech enhancements, in addition to price rises.

It's much the same over in the Mazda camp. Prices have risen across the board, between $550 and $3510. But it also means extra new equipment as standard.

That means new infotainment software with up to a 9.0-inch screen on top-spec variants, a new 7.0-inch multi-function digital display inside the cluster, and finally, the brand has ditched the piano black trim around the centre console area.

There are some other subtle tweaks including a revision of the glovebox detailing, though this will be a very familiar car to BT-50 owners.

Three new colours are available within the 2025 BT-50 range: Red Earth, Geode White, and Sailing Blue metallics.

The number of variants on offer is smaller than before – there are no more manual versions and the flagship Thunder specification has also been discontinued. Prices start from $36,400 for cab-chassis body styles or $48,210 for dual-cab versions.

We're zeroing in on the new top-spec BT-50 SP for this review, which costs $71,500 before on-road costs.

That's right up there for a dual-cab ute. It's comparable to a Ford Ranger Sport ($71,340 plus on-road costs) and Ranger Wildtrak ($74,840 plus ORCs), but is more expensive than the Mitsubishi Triton GSR ($63,840 plus ORCs).

But the best comparison is the mechanically identical and similarly specified Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain at $70,500 plus on-road costs. In saying that, you can regularly get an X-Terrain for $67,990 drive-away.

Importantly, Mazda has issued similar drive-away pricing for the new BT-50 line-up. For example, buyers can get themselves into a BT-50 GT dual-cab variant for $65,990 drive-away or the SP variant for $67,990 drive-away.

The BT-50 SP is distinguished by black-out exterior highlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a sail plane sports bar, side steps, roof rails, and a tonneau cover.

The BT-50 continues with the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that outputs 140kW and 450Nm to a four-wheel-drive system. It's Isuzu's engine underneath, but that's no bad thing – the unit has proven to be a sturdy operator in our experiences over the past few years.

Note, the entry-level BT-50 XS gets a 1.9-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that outputs 120kW and 400Nm.

Safety has also come in for a boost thanks to stereo cameras with a wider detection area, stop-and-go traffic jam assist, rear cross-traffic braking, and expanded collaboration of the adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition systems.

MORE: Mazda BT-50 price and specifications

Mazda BT-50 best deals

The BT-50 GT and SP variants strike the right balance for us in terms of the price-to-equipment equation.

Carefully consider whether you’ll require 4×4 abilities, though, because that could save a few thousand dollars on the bottom line.

The next steps on the purchase journey are to check in with your local dealer (you can find one here), or check out BT-50s listed for sale (both new and used) without leaving the house at Drive Marketplace.

Given how closely matched the competitive set is, we'd also suggest test-driving the Ford Ranger Sport or Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain to make sure you find the ute that’s best suited to your needs.

If you want to stay updated with everything that’s happened to this car since our review, you’ll find all the latest news here.

How big is a Mazda BT-50?

The level of change inside this cabin will be easier to appreciate for owners or nerds like me, but for everyone else this is still very much a BT-50 like the one before.

Immediately I'm buoyed by the fact Mazda has removed the piano black trims around the centre console because they used to scratch up a storm.

The SP variant is differentiated with contrasting colour trims around the bolsters and suede-effect inserts for the seat base. It's a great look and also holds you in tight for when you're rounding a corner at speed.

As well, one big update comes in the form of physical controls for volume and tuning dials – a major bugbear of owners and media alike with this car's predecessor.

Space up front is comfortable and choice materials are used inside the cabin, which is always a plus – especially at the touchpoints which are covered in cool elements.

The broad shoulder support on the front seats is fantastic, and it's easy for my tall 194cm frame to get comfortable in the seat. There's good side support for rounding bends and the electronic seat adjustments allow the driver to set a comfy, lofty driving position.

Even more than human storage, there's good storage for your bits and pieces too. There is a deep centre console compartment, twin cupholders, and a slot underneath the dash for your phone and wallet. But, there's no wireless charger. That's odd given you've got wireless smartphone mirroring.

Around the gear selector sit off-road controls and dials for engaging the four-wheel-drive system and rear differential.

Good space is also found in the second row. There was good space for my head to move about without hitting the rooflining, my legs weren't squished up against the seat back, and crucially for a dual-cab ute, there's even good space side-to-side for when you're fully loaded.

There are air vents in the back of the centre console, plus dual USB-C ports. There are also map pockets, grab handles, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders.

Does the Mazda BT-50 have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

The infotainment unit doing service inside the Mazda BT-50 will look familiar from afar, but the underlying software has been updated with this generation.

The BT-50 SP still uses a 9.0-inch screen, but updated aspects include new wireless Android Auto (in addition to pre-existing wireless Apple CarPlay) and the addition of physical tuning and volume dials.

Lower-spec variants now get an 8.0-inch display as standard, compared to the 7.0-inch unit of the pre-facelift.

The functionality is still limited compared to something like a Ford Ranger – there are not too many apps or features to play with – though the system is easy to work through and straightforward thanks to shortcuts along the bottom of the screen.

New for 2025 are off-road displays, tyre pressure monitoring screens, and driveline diagrams that show power delivery to the wheels.

In front of the driver is a new 7.0-inch digital cluster that displays speed information, trip data, and rev-counting.

In place of old USB-A ports, the new BT-50 now sports updated USB-C for charging and connecting to the car.

Is the Mazda BT-50 a safe car?

The Mazda BT-50 was last rated by ANCAP in 2022 to a five-star standard. The facelifted variant inherits this top-marks score.

This rating includes 86 per cent for adult occupant protection and 89 per cent for child occupants, vulnerable road users (pedestrians) get a 67 per cent rating, while active safety systems on the vehicle get an 84 per cent rating.

What safety technology does the Mazda BT-50 have?

The Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max set new benchmarks for dual-cab ute safety when they were both introduced roughly five years ago and continue to offer a good spread of safety gear to keep road users safe.

Subtle improvements have been introduced to keep this ute in line with its competition.

New stereo cameras – used by the autonomous emergency braking system, among other technologies – allow for a wider-angle detection area than before, and the rear-view camera lens is coated in a water-resistant film for a clearer view during wet weather.

New active safety measures include stop-and-go traffic jam assistance for the adaptive cruise control, and intelligent speed limit assist in concert with the traffic sign recognition.

The rear cross-traffic alert system can now brake for obstacles rather than just warning the driver of their presence, while the lane-keep assistance system now detects road edges without lane markings.

The BT-50's autonomous emergency braking system has been updated to include motorcycle detection, as well as pedestrian detection for the intersection aspect of AEB.

During my time with the car, these features all worked with an impressive effect. The lane-centring technology didn't unnecessarily grab at the steering wheel, the autonomous emergency braking didn't interrupt, and the adaptive cruise control kept a safe distance behind the car ahead.

MORE: What does AEB actually mean? Car safety features explained

How much does the Mazda BT-50 cost to service?

Every Mazda sold in Australia is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is essentially par for the course in the dual-cab ute segment. Some manufacturers do better, like Nissan and its new 10-year arrangement, though most cater for issues for up to five years.

Service pricing is capped for the first seven years. However, Mazda quotes additional items such as $93 for a fuel filter replacement, which is an extra cost.

Under $500 on average each visit is competitive in the dual-cab ute segment.

Insuring the BT-50 SP 4×4 dual-cab pick-up will cost $2092 per year based on a comparative 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.

Is the Mazda BT-50 fuel-efficient?

There is no change with the BT-50's fuel efficiency. Mazda still claims 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres on a combined driving cycle.

In my experience with BT-50s previously they have nailed that figure, so it's nice to see a real-world result reflective of the manufacturer's claim.

It's the same story on this launch drive – across country roads and off-road trails this BT-50 managed 10.0L/100km.

The Mazda BT-50 has a 76-litre fuel tank.

What is the Mazda BT-50 like to drive?

Considering there are no changes under the skin, this BT-50 drives the same as the old one. That's good news because we love the 3.0-litre engine under the bonnet.

There's a great amount of shove supplied as soon as you lean on the throttle, while the six-speed transmission is quick to respond to sudden kick-down accelerations.

I couldn't find any instances of awkward shunts, stutters between shifts, or pauses while switching from drive to reverse (or even into 4×4 mode).

It's not the most refined unit in the dual-cab ute market – the 3.0-litre can make a bit of a racket under load and there are a few vibrations – though keep in mind what this dual-cab ute is capable of.

Though we didn't tow-test with the facelift model this time around, we have previous experience in towing with the venerable 3.0-litre unit and it's proven time and time again to be a fantastic partner for hard yakka.

It's also a brilliant engine to take off-road, providing plenty of torque for climbing steep hills and paired with an excellently tuned transmission. There’s great ground clearance too, which means you’re not worrying about bottoming out or striking the front bar on particularly large rocks or mounds.

The ride comfort can be jumpy with nothing in the tray. It'll skip over sharp imperfections or train tracks, and rattle over sustained corrugations. However, it tends to deal with larger impacts with a composed nature.

I'm a big fan of the way the BT-50 tours. It's a comfortable car to spend hours upon hours in, and you don't get that much in the way of road noise.

The steering is unnervingly light, which might be an odd feeling in such a big car, but the end result is a ute that's as easy to steer around town as it is to drive on the open road.

Can a Mazda BT-50 tow?

As with most utes in its class, the Mazda BT-50 is capable of towing up to 3500kg with a braked trailer or up to 750kg without.

Although we didn’t tow-test the BT-50 this time around, I spent time with the Isuzu D-Max (effectively a twin under the skin) earlier this year and found the platform absolutely blitzes the challenge of towing a 3000kg trailer. The transmission is incredibly smart at picking its shift points and the torque felt well matched to the combined weight.

MORE: Are you legal? Understanding caravan and trailer towing weights

Should I buy a Mazda BT-50?

This is the biggest revamp of the current-gen BT-50 to date, and although the overhaul isn't night and day different from the predecessor, the running changes made to this ute make an already good thing even better.

At the least, I think they modernise this ute to a 2025 standard.

It remains a comfortable driver every day, but is equally capable of tackling some serious off-road terrain.

The fact that Mazda has introduced drive-away pricing is a big plus, especially considering Isuzu offers such a competitive deal for a near-identical D-Max ute (under the skin, at least).

The post 2025 Mazda BT-50 off-road review: Australian first drive appeared first on Drive.