Mazda updates BT-50 range for 2022

MAZDA has been building and selling utes for over 50 years, and though its newest BT-50 shares much of its design – and its drivelines – with the latest Isuzu D-MAX, its unique frontal treatment and cabin décor give it a look and feel that is all its own.

For 2022, and as announced in November, Mazda has updated its TF-series BT-50 line-up adding an Isuzu-sourced 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine to entry-grade XS variants and a well-equipped SP variant to the upper end of the range. 

Additionally, the XTR dual-cab is now available in cab-chassis body style for the first time.

The newly-added 1.9-litre four-cylinder unit features dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) and a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) to output 110kW at 3600rpm and 350Nm between 1800-2600rpm. Combined cycle fuel economy is rated at 6.7 litres per 100km.

Maximum payload for XS variants equipped with the 1.9-litre unit is rated at 1380kg with maximum braked towing capacity listed at 3000kg.

The 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel offering remains unchanged. Likewise featuring DOHC and VGT the mill develops 140kW at 3600rpm and 450Nm between 1600-2600rpm. Combined cycle fuel consumption is listed at 7.7L/100km while braking towing jumps to 3500kg.

Seventeen BT-50 variants are now available with two engine offerings, two transmissions, three body styles, two body configurations, and the choice of two- and four-wheel drive offered across six trim grades. The new 1.9-litre mill is paired exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Range pricing commences at $33,650 plus on-road costs for the newly introduced 1.9-litre turbo-diesel XS single-cab chassis 4x2 and tops out with the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel Thunder dual-cab pick-up 4x4 at $70,990 (+ORCs), which rises $2000 on last year’s sticker price. Full pricing is listed below.

Mazda says the new 1.9-litre engine offering will further broaden the appeal of its courier and trade-focussed range noting that most BT-50 sales remain with dual-cab pick-up models. Dual-cab variants currently account for 80.6 per cent of BT-50 sales. Freestyle cab variants comprise 10.9 per cent of outright sales and single-cab variants the remaining 8.6 per cent.

It is also worth noting that Mazda’s pick-up style utes are more popular than their cab-chassis siblings with the former accounting for 66.9 per cent of all BT-50 sales. A similar bias is seen toward automatic (91.0%) and four-wheel drive equipped models (79.6%).

Since its introduction in 2020, sales of the new BT-50 continue to favour the second-rung XT variant considerably (42.4%) with third tier XTR variants the next most popular (26.2%). The balance of model sales is comprised by the entry-grade XS (11.1%), third-from-top GT (8.9%), newly added SP (8.5%) and range-topping Thunder (3.0%).

Entry grade XS variants are now offered with the new 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine and in 4x2 or 4x4 configuration. Standard equipment includes 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, power windows and wing mirrors, air-conditioning, cloth trim, vinyl flooring, a 7.0-inch infotainment array with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity, DAB+ digital radio, and a rear-seat USB outlet. XS 4x4 models receive a locking rear differential.

Safety kit continues to include a reversing camera, eight airbags, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go functionality, AEB with turn assist, attention assist, auto high-beam, blind spot monitor, emergency lane keeping, hill start and descent control, lane departure warning, prevention and assist systems, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. 

XT variants include all the convenience and safety features listed for XS variants but in conjunction with the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.

For the third tier XTR (and in addition to those features listed for the XS) we find 18-inch alloys, power folding wing mirrors, LED front fog lights, auto-levelling LED head- and daytime running lights, side steps, carpeted flooring, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, dual-zone climate control with rear-seat ventilation outlets, an electrochromatic rear-view mirror, keyless entry, native satellite navigation and a larger 9.0-inch infotainment array.

GT variants feature chrome-capped wing mirrors with heating element, brown leather upholstery, eight-way electric driver’s seat adjustment, front seat heaters, remote engine start (auto. only), and front parking sensors.

The newly introduced, and second-from-top SP variant adds matte black 18-inch wheels, a tub liner, roller tonneau cover, black and driftwood leather upholstery with synthetic suede highlights, and gloss black grille, sail plane sports bar, fender flares, wing mirror caps, door and tailgate handles. The side steps and roof rails of the GT variant are finished in dark grey.

Finally, the top-shelf BT-50 Thunder receives 18-inch black alloy wheels, a black single-hoop bull bar, black alloy sports bar, black side steps, black fender flares, electric roller tonneau, Thunder decals, and a Lightforce 20-inch dual-row lightbar.

The MY22 BT-50 range is available with seven paint colours including Gunblue Mica, Concrete Grey Mica, Red Volcano Mica, True Black Mica, Rock Grey Mica, Ingot Silver Metallic and Ice White.

For the first month of 2022, Mazda placed fifth in the Pick-Up/Cab-Chassis 4x2 sector selling 175 examples of its BT-50. The two-wheel drive BT-50 was beaten by the Toyota HiLux (1022 units), Isuzu D-MAX (441), Mitsubishi Triton (272), and Ford Ranger (259).

The BT-50 also placed fifth in the Pick-Up/Cab-Chassis 4x4 segment with 1047 sales behind the Ford Ranger (2986), Mitsubishi Triton (2604), Toyota HiLux (2569), and Isuzu D-MAX (1454). 

The 2022 Mazda BT-50 is available now.

2022 Mazda BT-50 4x2 pricing*:

2022 Mazda BT-50 4x4 pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.