Mazda BT-50

Mazda BT-50 – Exterior

It may have taken longer than usual, but the latest Mazda BT-50 is the most good-looking pick-up in the segment. There are no traces of styling to indicate its Isuzu origins. Upfront, the signature Mazda Kodo styling with strong crossover elements such as from the Mazda CX-9 gives the BT-50 the premium look, standing out from the usual pick-up models.

The large radiator grille is simple but effective, with its signature wings flowing neatly into the compact LED headlamps. Compared to other pick-ups, the Mazda BT-50 does not have any black lower body claddings, further making the pick-up look premium.   

The 2021 Mazda BT-50 is fitted with 18-inch wheels with tyres measuring 265/60R18 size. A large side steps in silver and black assist occupants for better entrance and exit from the 2021 Mazda BT-50.

At the back, the styling is a lot less special, with simple light clusters on the body and a colour-coded rear bumper with an integrated assist step for easier access to the cargo bed. Due to the vertical layout of the tail lamps, the Mazda BT-50 does not have any Mazda signature lighting look to it.  

Mazda BT-50 – Interior

Dashboard

Both Mazda and Isuzu have spent a lot of time and resources to ensure the interior does not look like pick-up but instead a premium global crossover or SUV. Mazda designers were given the liberty to restyle the main dashboard ‘face’ (and the adjacent front door panels), making it appear smoother and more horizontal with fewer styling lines.

The dashboard of the Mazda BT-50 is a nice piece of softly padded panel with full-length double stitching completed in dual-tone colour scheme. Satin silver finishing is used on key areas such as the air vent surround, steering wheel, shift lever and door handles.

The knee pads or lower console trim pieces are even covered with soft-touch material and lined with double stitching! This makes the Mazda BT-50 look even more premium than cars from Germany!

Instrument cluster

The driver’s instrument cluster in the 2021 Mazda BT-50 is a more traditional analogue dials and small multi-information display (MID) setup. The colour MID measures 4.2 inches and displays key driving information as well as the operating status of the ADAS and the 4×4 system.

Space and practicality

The Mazda BT-50 offers lots of headroom and legroom inside courtesy of its large dimensions. All seats also accommodate adults with great comfort. Storage spaces are abundant too, with a front passenger top glovebox plus the traditional lower glove box, overhead sunglass holder and front occupant armrest console box. 

There are also two large cupholders next to the handbrake lever. The rear bench meanwhiles split in 60-40 with two underseat storage compartments. To ease smaller-framed occupants into the back seat, there are grip handles placed on the B-pillar of the Mazda BT-50. Very useful!

Similar to the Isuzu, the Mazda BT-50 gets a rear USB charging port and a small storage slot for the rear occupants. Surprisingly though, the dashboard storage bin found in the Isuzu is not retained in the Mazda BT-50.
The cargo or truck bed of the 2021 Mazda BT-50 is 1,571 mm long, 1,530 mm wide, and 490 mm high. 

Mazda BT-50 – Features

Safety features

The 2021 Mazda BT-50 offer 7 airbags inclusive of a driver’s knee airbag. In terms of advanced safety systems, the 2021 Mazda BT-50 includes the complete advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Turn Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Lane-keep Assist System and Blind Sport Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert. (to confirm availability once launched) Automatic high-beam (AHB) is also available only in the range-topping variant.

Comfort features

The driver’s seat in the 2021 Mazda BT-50 comes with an 8-way power adjustment with a lumbar support feature. The range-topping variant also gets a remote engine start that allows the air-conditioning to cool the cabin before occupants board the Mazda BT-50.

Other standard features in the 2021 Mazda BT-50 include auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic dual-zone air-conditioning with rear vents, automatic rain-sensing wipers, smart entry with walk-away auto door lock and leather upholstery.

Infotainment

The 2021 Mazda BT-50 come with one of the largest infotainment screens in the segment, measuring 9 inches. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. It is easy to use with large icons and responsive touch feedback.

Physical buttons such as home and volume make the system very user friendly too.
Audio is played via an 8-speaker setup, including two ceiling-mounted speakers for additional staging effect. These are originally designed by partner, Isuzu.  

Mazda BT-50 – Powertrain

Engine

The new 2021 Mazda BT-50 ditches its Ford-sourced 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre engines for Isuzu-sourced units. They are incredibly fuel-efficient, durable and refined 1.9-litre and 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel units.

Similar outputs to the Isuzu, the 1.9-litre unit develops 150 PS at 3,600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque between 1,800 to 2,600 rpm, while the larger 3.0-litre churns out 190 PS at 3,600 rpm and 450 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 2,600 rpm.

Isuzu says the big capacity engine has been thoroughly reworked for better refinement, durability and performance.
(To confirm the availability of 1.9 litre once launched)

Transmission

The 2021 Mazda BT-50 is only available with a new 6-speed automatic transmission. Manual-mode or selection can be done via the shift lever.

Chassis

Similar to pick-ups made in Thailand, the 2021 Mazda BT-50 features a high rigidity ladder frame with double-wishbone front suspension with coil springs and a rear rigid live axle with leaf springs and shock absorbers.

Large brake discs from the Isuzu is also maintained, with the ventilated front disc brake measuring 320 mm while the rear drums are 295 mm in diameter.

The Mazda BT-50 has a ground clearance of 240 mm with a wading depth of 800 mm. On the range-topping Mazda BT-50, the rear differential also comes with an electric-actuated rear differential lock for maximum traction out of the most challenging terrain.

The Mazda BT-50 does not have an electronic brake-actuated limited-slip system unlike in the Toyota (Active TRC) and Nissan (Active Brake Limited Slip).

Drivetrain

The 2021 Mazda BT-50 is only available with the 4×4 drivetrain with an electronically activated shift-on-the-fly 2WD to 4WD driveline. 4WD Low-range can only be selectable when the vehicle is stationary.  

Mazda BT-50 – Driving Performance

Engine performance

With 450 Nm available from just 1,600 rpm, the 3.0-litre unit makes driving the Mazda BT-50 a pleasure. It is very powerful and delivers linear responses until the engine’s red line. Large capacity means the engine in the Mazda BT-50 does not need to work hard, as well as better control of the throttle traversing slippery terrain.

Transmission performance

The transmission has six ratios, but well-spaced ratios in the Mazda BT-50. It is intelligent to downshift when the driver requires more response. Every gear change is also executed smoothly.
Mazda also shared that they did not need to alter any mechanical setting of the Mazda BT-50’ s powertrain and chassis, sharing the values with the Isuzu D-Max.

Steering and handling

While Mazda passenger cars excel in handling thanks to its man-and-machine together driving philosophy, the Mazda BT-50 is more like a modern pick-up. Handling is competent with a turning radius of 6.1 metres.  

Mazda BT-50 – Ride Comfort

Soundproofing

Thanks to a new platform and higher benchmarking targets, the 2021 Mazda BT-50 has a very quiet cabin, insulating road and wind noises very well. The segment has become so competitive that many pick-ups now offer a much more refined cabin ambience.

Passenger comfort

The 2021 Mazda BT-50 are probably the most comfortable seat in the segment. They are large, with plenty of thigh and even shoulder support. The same goes for the rear seats with a generous amount of recline angle for improved long-distance comfort. A rear armrest with cupholders also provides added comfort. In terms of riding comfort, the Mazda BT-50 feels comfortable, with just a typical firmness when just driven alone and unloaded (no cargo in the bed).  

Mazda BT-50 – Conclusion

Given its similarities with the Isuzu, the 2021 Mazda BT-50 will certainly appeal to the person who is kind of having an anti-truck mindset but finally caving in. Thanks to its great looks both inside and outside, the Mazda BT-50 can also easily convince the significant other with its high comfort levels.

The powertrain is one of the best matched, with instantenous pick-up and well-matched gear ratios and great fuel consumption. Safety features are also high and plenty in both models, as such, choosing the Mazda BT-50 or Isuzu is down to personal preference as well as the dealership nearest to you.