Mazda BT-50

Mazda has added the fabled SP grade to its popular range of dual-cab utes. But is the Mazda BT-50 SP worthy of the storied badge?

Mazda's top-specification 4x4 ute proved its versatility over our time behind the wheel. However, it's probably not for everyone.

Eight of Australia's most popular 4x4 dual-cabs go under the microscope to find out which one represents the best value for Australian buyers.

With dual-cab utes increasingly pressed into service as family haulers, we put the mid-spec Mazda BT-50 XTR 4x4 through its urban paces.

Mazda has dropped the manual-equipped BT-50 GT, SP and Thunder due to low demand, while the XTR is now equipped with tyre pressure monitoring.

The new 2023 Mazda BT-50 XTR LE has joined the dual-cab range with a number of exterior features.

The Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50 ute twins – and the Isuzu MU-X SUV – have hit the reset button on their safety ratings and bought more time ahead of the next round of updates.

A breakdown of Australia's most popular new cars in all eight states and territories has never been available – until now.

We delve into the data to analyse the running costs and overall pricing of Australia’s dual-cab utes, crowning the segment's best value pick.

We compare eight of the country's most popular dual-cab utes to find which one has the biggest booty.

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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 .

Needed a ute to replace the 2005 Toyota Prado, so chose the BT50/Ford. Handles like a truck. Great if you are going forward, but no visibility backing up. Even after fitting a backing camera. Heavy in the steering & doesn't hold the road as good as the old Prado. As I said it feels & handles like a truck twice its size. Has plenty of power, but the mapping in the computer is slow for acceleration. Ride is hard & like most cars these days the seats lack comfort. This model has the leather electric seats & still have to stop often to straighten back. The problem could be due to lack of telescopic extension on the steering wheel. Regularly get between 10-11l/100km & I note the speed out by 5km across the board. Worse than advertised figures, this was worked out not using the computer figures. Has plenty of space on the inside for storage. Mine is a double cab. Didn't like the half cab as it was too difficult to get to rear seats to put anything in. They have appeared to have fixed the oil pressure problem when changing the oil on this engine. One of the reasons I chose the 3.2 litre is that I hope it isn't under the same strain as the smaller engines developing similar power. GPS lacks certain features & am thankful I don't have to use it too often as very poor software & knows how to take the scenic route. The Tom Tom is a far better GPS. Compared this truck to other manufactures prior to buying. Other than the reasons already stated, it was the better of the bunch. Holden had trouble working out what to do in a corner & visibility was shocking. Isuzu has no rear diff lock. Sorry a ute is a working tool & you need to be able to rely on it to get you out of difficult work situations. The BT50 off road doesn't feel too bad, imagine it may be better with a load on. But still didn't compare to the old Prado. You ask why didn't I go for the Hi Lux. Basically they have dropped the ball in reliability & performance & are trying to trade on a name long gone. Just ask any engine reconditioner what engines they are rebuilding & why. That is a good clue.