2022 Mazda BT-50 XT – launched with the popular dual-cab style initially in response to the strong demand for a ute that is family-friendly. Since it was launched it has been a while since the Japanese brand has been rolling out more tradie-focused cab-chassis versions that are a part of the Isuzu D-Max twin, offering the option of a lower entry price and new versions of the cab. We are testing this 2022 Mazda BT-50 XT Freestyle Cab that comes with the original tray which is a $2300 addition to the list price of the manufacturer. Both 4×4 and rear-wheel-drive versions are available in addition to Six-speed manual and auto options.
2022 Mazda BT-50 XT Pricing
It is worth noting that the Mazda BT-50 Single Cab and Freestyle Cab were released separately from the dual-cab line and are available only at the basic XT model. In this test, we have our BT-50 Freestyle Cab 4×4 that has the six-speed auto, which means the test vehicle is $47,000 before off-roads (no tray) and $51,447 for drive-away that comes with the standard tray. the private Victorian buyer. The standard tray’ made of aluminum costs $2300. It’s certainly not cheap for a cab-chassis-ute with a tradie specification However, as you’ll discover in the next section, the model BT-50 XT Freestyle Cab is only a little in terms. ABN holders can avail of the exclusive deal of $48,490 for the drive-away as of publication. Additionally, the mechanically-identical Isuzu D-Max can be had in a similar specification (SX 4×4 Space Cab Chassis auto) for $53,734 drive-away (based on a Melbourne postcode) and also lacks stuff like LED headlights and alloy wheels like you get here on the Mazda. The key competitors are The Ford Ranger XL 4×4 Super Cab Chassis, which retails at $49,790 when equipped with the 3.2-liter diesel engine and six-speed automated as well as there’s the Toyota HiLux SR Extra Cab 4×4 costs $48,250 when you add the auto six-speed.
2022 Mazda BT-50 XT Freestyle Cab New Design
Each model is equipped with a complete range that includes active security and assists equipment, such as AEB that includes cyclist and pedestrian detection as well as adaptive cruise control. blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning as well as lane departure alert with assistance for keeping the lane in place, and auto high beam. A bit more on safety in a minute. As with the D-Max Like the D-Max, the BT-50 can offset its higher start cost over other utes that are entry-level by providing all the essentials and more. The days of commercial vehicles were incredibly under-specified regarding comforts and security.
Safety
Is Mazda BT-50 wearing a five-star ANCAP safety rating and a 2021 date stamp? It is basing its safety on tests performed on the Isuzu D-Max. The rating applies to all versions, except the newly-launched BT-50 Thunder. In comparison to the 2021 criteria, categories scored the following: 83 percent to protect adult occupants as well as 89 percent to protect children and 67 percent to protect vulnerable road users, and 84 percent for safety assistance. It’s worth noting that the BT-50’s distinctive front design when compared to its Isuzu model earned it an eminently lower pedestrian protection score (from 70 percent to 69 percent). Every one of the Mazda BT-50 models comes with automatic emergency brakes, blind-spot monitors and lane departure warning, rear turn assist, cross-traffic alert monitoring of driver attention, and brakes with antilock. There are also side, front, and curtain airbags. They also have an airbag for the knees of the driver and an airbag in the front center.
Interior
The shifter and steering wheel are made of plastic, however, the interior is top-of-the-line with the top XTR and GT levels available on the dual-cab design. The leather-trimmed seats are comfortable and are molded to pamper you without being overly body-hugging The 7.0-inch touchscreen that is wirelessly connected to Apple CarPlay is one of the best displays available in its class and consistently connects wirelessly to mirroring of smartphones and the display inside the cluster displays the same menus and info as models with higher quality.
The air conditioning is manually controlled as is the infotainment, which is at its finest when it’s enabled for smartphone mirroring. Isuzu’s interface natively isn’t as responsive and not as efficient as the one found on Mazda passenger automobiles, or even the one available on The Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok. It’s important to note that there’s only an audio system with two speakers as opposed to the eight-speaker system on the top-quality dual-cab models or the four-speaker setup on the XT dual-cab pickup. The build quality is on par with the best. It has a combination of cushioned and durable surfaces that offer the most luxurious ambiance than the majority of competitors, without losing quality or durability.
Despite having only a few sets of doors in the rear (sort of suicide-door design) There aren’t seats behind them, but rather an area that offers an extra space inside the cabin to store larger things you’d like to protect. The rear doors are also equipped with pop-out windows. There’s plenty of storage space throughout the cabin which includes a cubby beneath the center stack to keep your phone, a double glovebox in front behind the driver, a cubby beneath the armrest in front as well as a set of cup holders along the middle tunnel, and a set of door bins that have bottles holders.
Engine & Performance
All Mazda BT-50 models are powered by a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel with four cylinders that are sourced by the Isuzu D-Max platform-mate. Outputs are estimated at 140 kW (3600rpm) and up to 450Nm (1600-2600rpm). The diesel is closely linked to the truck engine well-known for its reliability over time. Our tester’s drive is delivered through a switchable 4×4 option that is set to rear-wheel drive employing the optional six-speed automated. A manual six-speed shifter is the default shifter. Four-wheel drive models come with the ability to switch between 2H, 4H, and 4L models, along with an automatic rear differential. The automatic 4×4 models of BT-50 make use of an estimated 8.0L/100km using the cycle combined. We measured 9.2L/100km throughout 380km in mixed-use driving. The BT-50 comes with a stated braked capacity towing of 3500kgs with a ball towing download maximum of 350 kg. The maximum payload is 1120kg using the Mazda standard tray made of alloy (as a test) and GVM and GCM are listed as 3000kg and 5850kg respectively.
As a Freestyle Cab Chassis the BT-50 operates similarly to other versions, however, the heavier-duty rear is a bit stiffer when empty. The performance of this 3.0-liter diesel is robust and surprisingly refined and the auto-on-test with six speeds shifts smoothly and swiftly. The steering is quite thin and can at times be a bit shaky however, that’s not typical for a category that demands an element of off-road ability. At the very least, there’s a selection of driver assist systems that keep you on an even and straight path. A majority of utes can be awkward when it comes to noting the tray or tub So we can’t critique off the BT-50 Freestyle Cab because of its more rigid rear, especially with the 1.1-tonne payload. However, we can say that with some weight added to the tray, it is significantly better.
We threw 650kg into the back and drove down certain urban roads, 80km/h highways, and the freeway. It was a refreshing departure from the unresolved, unladed vehicle. It almost felt SUV-like. However, the BT-50 (and the D-Max that is a part of it D-Max) will require only a couple of minutes after loading the heavy loads into the tray for cameras-based assist systems (AEB and lane-keep, etc.) to recalibrate since the extra weight can cause the sensors to lose. It is believed that within a couple of minutes, you’ll be able to start. This happened to us in the test that was loaded and, even without leaving the car running for an instant straight after loading the load, the BT-50 took around five minutes for the alarm on the cluster of instruments to turn off and for the system to be restored. Since the majority of buyers of vehicles like this carry toolboxes, and other heavy-duty items nearly all the time in the back The enhancements to the ride are a welcome addition as is the sensor for cameras. isn’t a problem to be expected regularly. Mazda has previously stated that the BT-50 does not have any modifications in suspension or mechanicals as compared to the D-Max which means that the features are mostly the same as the comparable Isuzu. The vast array of driver assistance options is an important point of differentiation within the market with only Ford and Toyota being close to the top with active safety features, although they are not the only ones. BT-50 as well as D-Max are among the top in their class in this area.
Active cruise control with adaptive cruise control and help with lane-keeping are useful features to make it easier to travel longer distances on freeways as are blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alerts aren’t common features for models with cab-chassis which is also the reason why you’ll notice that red stripe under the tray of our test vehicle, it is home to the radars used by these systems. If you’re planning to use the BT-50’s 3.5-tonne towing capacity that is braked, you can also control the trailer’s sway which makes use of torque vectoring by brakes to reduce the amount of time that trailers swing from side to side while moving.
Gas Mileage
Is Mazda BT-50 is covered by the company’s five-year warranty, which is unlimited in mileage, and comes with roadside assistance during the same period? The maintenance schedule is each year or every 15,000 miles or 15,000 kilometers, whichever is first. Mazda provides the basic pricing of the seven first services it offers on its website. The pricing covers up to 105,000 km for the initial. The cost will be $421 $393, $679 $500 $314, $758, and $437. That’s a total of $3502 for the period. The only other items mentioned are fuel filters, which cost $88 when needed (interval not defined).