2021 Mazda BT-50 debuts in Thailand, D-Max reliability with Kodo Design

Nearly half a year after its global debut Down Under, Mazda launched the all-new 2021 Mazda BT-50 in Thailand. As we had reported before, the all-new BT-50 is basically the all-new Isuzu D-Max that has been injected with Mazda’s Kodo design.

The all-new BT-50 is marketed as an urban pick-up, unlike the more utilitarian D-Max. As such, the classy and elegant Kodo design blends well with the functional design aesthetics of a pick-up truck. In Thailand, the all-new BT-50 is available with two body styles, double cab and freestyle cab.

Just because it looks pretty in the city doesn’t mean it can’t conquer rough terrains. Mazda claims that the all-new BT-50 has a wading depth of up to 800 mm. When it comes to Malaysia in Q1 2021, that should be a selling point for urban KL city dwellers!

In terms of powertrains, the Thai-spec BT-50 is powered by the same 3.0-litre BluePower Ddi (190 PS/450 Nm) and 1.9-litre BluePower Ddi turbodiesel engines (150 PS/350 Nm) as the all-new (and Malaysia's current, outgoing generation) D-Max.

These engines are mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The all-new BT-50 comes with a double-wishbone set-up in the front and leaf springs for the rear. This set-up is also seen on the all-new D-Max.

As this is a more upmarket and urban pick-up, the all-new BT-50 has a very premium feel in the interior with a significantly different dashboard design than the D-Max to give it that Kodo identity.

Mounted in the middle of the dash is the high-resolution WXGA infotainment system which is available in Thailand as a 7- or a 9-inch display unit. This system has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support as well as voice control functions, depending on the grade.

As an urban pick-up truck, the Thai-spec BT-50 is nothing short when it comes to safety equipment. The pick-up truck comes with the following:

• Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring (ABSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Hill Descent Control (HDC)
• Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 6 airbags
• Anti-whiplash front seats
• Seatbelt reminders

Mazda Thailand has not announced the prices for all-new 2021 Mazda BT-50 but it is expected to be more expensive than the Isuzu D-Max. The D-Max ranges from THB 510,000 (RM 68,740) to THB 1.157 million (RM 155,950).

Closer to home, the all-new Mazda BT-50 is expected to be Bermaz’s first new model launch of 2021. However, the BT-50 will not be the only pick-up truck launched next year. Check out our article here to see what are the other pick-up trucks launching in 2021.