Mazda BT50 GT: Tradie Pickup Never Looked Better

Pickups like Mazda BT50 are the best sellers in the country, by far. But, why?

Well, tconvey something about its owner. They say this driver has the sex appeal of a muscled tradie. Here’s an example: Is there a person alive who doesn’t look to see who is driving a pickup, especially if there is a P Plate involved. Oh, come on! You KNOW you do!

He is thrifty, yet determined, and has great taste. If Lesbians fancy Foresters, then surely fellas find favour in something with slightly butcher bits.

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For some unknown reason, Hilux (review here) is the country’s top seller. Of the top 10, only Corolla(reivew here) and i30 (review here) are not SUV/LCV vehicles. What is all this about? Why have punters gone mad for SUVs? You tell me. Personally, I think you’re all completely barking!

3 of the top 10 sellers are pickup utes, so it is clear that punters bring an SUV need to their ute desires. They want to buy a lifestyle even if they don’t have the need to tote tents.

You can go anywhere in a 4X4 ute that you can in a 4X4 SUV, while carrying a bit more stuff, so in a way it is a win/win.

BT50 comes in 3 models XT, XTR, and GT. You get 2 body styles, in a 2-seater cab chassis, or a 5-seater dual cab. There is a single engine choice, and 2 transmissions, a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. This makes up 11 variants in all.

Above: This Week’s VIDEO Car Review -2021 Mazda BT50 GT

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ABOVE: 2021 Mazda BT50 Dual Cab and Cab Chassis

What’s New on the Outside?

The shiny metalwork is all new.

Mazda’s huge shield grille is flanked by a sexy set of LED lights. They sparkle like stars, and give the night a daylight hue. They’re automatic too, as are the wipers.

The front end might look like any other Mazda, but super-sized to be fit for purpose. If the front is SUV, the side profile is pure pickup truck. Side steps help you up into a quite decent cabin, that you access via a couple of subtle rubber buttons on the front door handles. You can leave the key secreted about your person, a-la SUV.

The tray is capacious, has a reversing camera on the tailgate, and some tie-down loops inside. It has a dual skin so things that go bump in the night won’t result in unsightly blemishes that look like boils on a bum.

Out test car had a set of angry, blacked out, 18” alloys with 265/60 R18 tyres. You might hope it makes the ride great with such tall sidewalls, but no, your hope will go unrealised.

In short, the outside looks butch, with the soft edge of a passenger car.

Does the Cabin match the Outside Look?

There is a touch of hominess old timers are going to hate. They can keep that quaint old-fashioned notion that capable equals discomfort, it is a nonsense.

Seats are light-chocolate leather, and the front ones are heated. The driver has powered adjustment, while his off-sider has to make do with pull-em-yourself levers. Support is firm, really firm, but you won’t be doing warp 10 in corners, so side bolsters are built for comfort, not speed.

The look is cohesive and comforting, bringing that quality Mazda interior to the big boys.

Surfaces look soft even if they are hard as nails. The dash has a touch of luxury with, genuine, fake, artificial, stitched, leather-look cow hide.

You want for nothing. Windows are powered, there is a 9” touch screen entertainment system, and dual zone climate control. Apple owners can use WiFi or USB to connect CarPlay, but Android usasersare still tehered by cables. DAB is standard, with Bluetooth streaming for all devices.

The centre stack holds 4X4 controls, with further buttons on the centre console. You can select high and low range, 2 or 4-wheel drive, and you can lock your rear diff, all from the driver’s seat.

Rear space, not exactly concert hall, is more like cosy parlour. Although Knee room is snug-ish, 3 beefy lads will still find the space for short trips.

You get a bunch of cubby holes, cup holders, and bottle holders, and a USB outlet, with another USB in the front.

Driver instruments see a couple of conventional dials flanking a 4.2” LCD screen. Like most modern motors, data is deftly displayed. You can flick through the stuff you don’t use much, to settle on the digital speedo, which is a must-have.

There are far too many features to list, so get your brochure HERE–>MazdaBT-50-brochure

How does BT50 Drive?

Electric steering makes things so much easier, there, I’ve said it.

You get all the active aids that modern drivers have come to expect.  Every time I say that, people write in. There are those firmly stuck in the 20th century, and good luck to them.

Cruise control, Blind Spot Monitor, and AEB, use cameras or radar to keep things tidy.

Active lane centering works with the blind spot to make sure you don’t do anything you’d regret later.This will have Motor cycle riders everywhere jumping for joy. Visibility is good, but the blind spots are huge.

Ride is a trifle firm without the tray packed full. The rear end has leaf spring suspension from the 50’s, and drum brakes to match. It might sound dire, but for some odd reason, lots of trucks still have drums around back. Leaf springs can carry a lot of weight, so they say.

Our drive took in some gorgeous scenery, but the roads left much to be desired. The rear end went off like a jelly on springs. The faster we went, the more enthusiastic was the samba.

Highways were slightly more co-operative, with city driving being the best of all, and that’s where we spent most of our time.

BT50 feels frisky, and with a single 140kw/450Nm engine option, there is plenty of poke for a quick sprint. The Euro V, 3.0lL, 4 cylinder, manages 8.0L/100k combined and 6.7L/100k on a long trip.

Reversing is very easy with a crystal-clear picture from the camera.

In fact, BT50 is no different to driving any other large SUV. Sure, it takes up most of a parking space, and you do have to take notice of low-hanging car-park signs, but you don’t have to make any other compromises.

Conclusion:

BT50 is handsome, frugal, and good value, so what’s not to like.

You can go off-roading, but why bother. Camping is just plain wrong. The pitter patter of rain on canvas may sound romantic, but there the allure ends.

BT50 is not for those lovies who think the wilds is a band from the 80’s.

It feels as capable as it looks, and I rather like the fact that it now joins the rest of the Mazda family in looks.

At a glance:

Price: $59,990

Engine: 3.0L, 4cyl, turbo diesel

Power: 140kw/450Nm

Econ: 8.0L combined city/country

Trans: 6-speed auto (6-speed manual available)

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