Review: Mazda Mk.2 BT-50 utility (2011-20)

Review: Mazda UP BT-50 utility (2011-15)

Overview

Released in October 2011, the Mazda UP BT-50 was initially available as a Freestyle Cab or Dual Cab, with Single Cabs following in 2012. The Freestyle and Dual Cab models were powered by a 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

The Mazda BT-50 was available with rear- or four-wheel drive; the latter included high and low ranges which – like the electronic rear differential lock – could be engaged ‘on the fly’ via a button on the centre console. The BT-50’s front suspension consisted of double wishbones and coil springs, with a live rear axle and leaf springs at the rear.

Compared to the Mazda J97M BT-50 utility , the UP BT-50 utility was significantly bigger yet its frame was 2.1 times more torsionally rigid, enabling higher towing capacities (3350kg braked towing capacity for the 3.2-litre turbo-diesel engine). The UP BT-50 was also more refined and had rack and pinion power steering with hydraulic power assistance.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mazda UP BT-50 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (for models with rear seats), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, trailer sway control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Ford Ranger dual cab utility – with which the BT-50 was co-developed – achieved a five star safety rating, when fitted with dual front airbags and full-length curtain airbags, including a 96 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 86 per cent child occupant protection rating. Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in an overall occupant protection score of 35.72 out of 37.

Features: Mazda BT-50 XT, XTR and GT

Standard features for the Mazda UP BT-50 XT included 16-inch steel wheels, a four speaker sound system with CD player, MP3/WMA-compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5mm/USB) and Bluetooth audio streaming, air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, steering wheel audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, vinyl floor covering, 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer and an immobiliser; Dual Cab models, however, were fitted a six speaker sound system.

The Mazda BT-50 XTR was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, satellite navigation, front fog lights, carpeted floors, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob. Visually, the XTR variants were distinguished by their chrome door handles, chrome mirrors, chrome rear step bumper, aluminium finish side steps and high mount stop lamp.

Beyond this, the range-topping Mazda BT-50 GT added leather seats, two-speed wipers with rain-sensing function, automatic headlights and an auto-dimming rear view mirror. From June 2012, the GT was fitted with an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat.

Mazda BT-50 Accessory kits: Boss Sports and Boss Adventure

The Mazda BT-50 was also available with optional ‘Boss Sports’ and ‘Boss Adventure’ accessory kits. The Boss Sports kit included an airbag-compatible alloy bull bar, ‘Lightforce’ driving lights, stainless steel tubular side steps, alloy sports bar, lockable hard tonneau cover and 17-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels. The Boss Adventure kit, however, included a black steel airbag-compatible bull bar, ‘Lightforce’ driving lights, 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, black tubular side steps, a black sports bar and soft tonneau cover.

Brochure

• Brochure: Mazda UP BT-50 (May 2014)

Related links

• Press Kit: Mazda UP BT-50 (October 2011)
• Specifications: Mazda UP BT-50 (October 2011)
• Mazda News: Mazda BT-50 raises the bar with increased towing capacity (February 2013)
• Mazda News: Mazda broadens BT-50 range (October 2013)
• Mazda News: The Mazda BT-50 Tough Mudder Pack (April 2014)

Review: Mazda UR BT-50 utility (2015-18)

Overview

Released in September 2015, the Mazda UR BT-50 utility could be identified by its straighter front grille, redesigned front and rear lights, new alloy wheels designs. Inside, the BT-50 XTR and GT variants featured a new infotai Nment system with a 7.8 cm high definition screen..

Features: Mazda UR BT-50 XT, XTR and GT

Compared to its UP predecessor, standard features for the Mazda UR BT-50 XT were extended to include a tailgate lock. For BT-50 XT variants with bucket seats, the driver’s seat gained height and lumbar adjustment; for XT variants with bench seats, a lockable glove compartment was added. Furthermore, BT-50 XT dual cabs were fitted with 16-inch dark-finish alloy wheels.

The Mazda BT-50 XTR gained satellite navigation, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear view camera, an auto dimming rear view mirror and tubular side steps. The BT-50 GT gained rear privacy glass and door mirrors with integrated indicators, heating and folding functions.

June 2017: Alpine infotainment system

From June 2017, the Mazda BT-50 XTR and GT were fitted – as standard – with an Alpine infotainment system which included an eight-inch colour touch screen, an improved satellite navigation system (with point-to-point four-wheel drive off-road navigation, 3D digital terrain and live traffic updates), an integrated reverse camera and digital radio tuner. Furthermore, the infotainment system had a split screen capability so that audio and navigation content could be viewed simultaneously. If connected to a device via a USB cable, the display could also be used to show audio or video files (in MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, MP4 and MKV formats). If using the HDMI input, the screen could replicate content from a portable DVD player or tablet device.

Brochure

• Brochure: Mazda UR BT-50 (August 2017)

Review: Mazda UR BT-50 utility (2018-20)

Overview

The ‘new look’ Mazda UR BT-50 was introduced in Australia in April 2018. As standard, the ‘new look’ Mazda UR BT-50 was equipped with a reversing camera (previously omitted from the BT-50 XT) and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone integration. Furthermore, service intervals were extended from 10,000 kilometres/12 months (whichever came first) to 15,000 kilometres/12 months.

Visually, the updated Mazda UR BT-50 could be identified by its new front bumper which had ‘squared off’ outer edges, horizontal grille bars, new fog light surrounds and trapezoidal lower air intake that was accented with mesh texture and a three-dimensional insert. While the BT-50 XTR and GT had chrome grille fins and a dark grey lower bumper insert, the BT-50 XT had satin black grille fins and a black bumper insert.

Features: Mazda UR BT-50 XT, XTR and GT

As noted above, standard features for the post-April 2018 Mazda UR BT-50 were extended to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Mazda BT-50 XT also gained an Alpine Infotainment System with a seven-inch touchscreen, and a reverse camera. As such, a reverse camera was fitted as standard across the BT-50 range.

Beyond this, the Mazda BT-50 GT gained polished alloy wheels, a chrome sports bar that had a high-mounted LED stop light, remote tailgate locking, a heavy-duty tub liner, a 12 volt auxiliary socket in the tub and a tub light.

Mazda BT-50 Boss

The Mazda BT-50 Boss was released in Australia in June 2019. Based on the Mazda BT-50 GT, the BT-50 Boss had an upgraded eight speaker sound system which included Alpine S-Series CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic) component speakers, four 6.5-inch High Amplitude Multi-Roll (HAMR) surround speakers, two independent 1-inch silk dome tweeters in the A-pillar and rear speakers with integrated tweeters.

Visually, the BT-50 Boss could be identified by its Snowflake White Pearl Mica paint finish, 17-inch eight-spoke black alloy wheels, body-length ‘Boss’ decal and black finishes for the grille, door handles, mirror caps, sports bar and tubular side steps. As standard, the Mazda BT-50 Boss also had a soft tonneau cover.

Brochure and specifications

• Brochure: Mazda Mk.2 BT-50 (June 2019)

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Mazda Mk.2 BT-50