Mazda Details Facelifted AU-Specific BT-50 For 2018

by Jim Kem under News on 27 Apr 2018 04:13:54 PM27 Apr 2018

Mazda Details Facelifted AU-Specific BT-50 For 201823

Mazda Details Facelifted AU-Specific BT-50 For 2018

Mazda Australia have rolled out a 2018 update to their BT-50 pickup that’s specific to our local market, sprucing up the tried and test workhorse that’s been with us since for some 7 years now. In addition to some exterior tweaks and tech upgrades, the line-up is now more aggressively priced.

We’re still some time away before Mazda moves on from the current BT-50’s Ford underpinnings to an arguably more modern foundation from Isuzu, but that doesn’t mean that the interval will be a waiting game. As they’re keen to prove, it’s still got quite a bit of kick in it.

Sporting a new fascia that’s the most substantial since its generational debut, the design was chosen to give the BT-50 a more squared off look, and one that gave it a lower visual centre of gravity and solid bearing while on the road.

How effective it is in conveying newness in the real world, though, is more subjective. And to our eyes there’s really no mistaking it for any other ute even the badge was removed. Still, the facelift is a welcome one, and one that’s supplemented further if the top-spec GT is chosen.

Do so, and the BT-50 is given a chrome sports bar with integrated high-mounted LED stop lights, a heavy duty tub liner, central locking tailgate, and even a 12-volt auxiliary socket out back. One particularly useful addition is the reversing camera, which is now made standard all the way from the entry-level XT, as is the upgraded infotainment unit.

It might a third-party unit that slots into the industry standard double DIN slot, but with a touchscreen and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it the only one in its class to offer such connectivity at its price, there’s little to complain about.

Mazda is also optimising the BT-50’s ownership costs, reducing the owners overall spending by extending the mandatory service intervals from every 10,000km to 15,000km. By their estimates, this will accumulate to savings of up to $850 at the 5 year mark. However, figuring an average mileage of 25,000km per annum, it could inflate to a potential savings of $1,920.

The BT-50 will continue to be offered in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, ranging from a single cab chassis to a Super Cab-like ‘Freestyle’ to the more mainstream Dual Cab utility form. As before, there will be a 2.2-litre turbodiesel, but this is reserved only for the entry level Single Cab Chassis XT 4x2. All other variants will receive the 3.2-litre 5-cylinder turbodiesel, mated to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.

4x2 (Driveaway)