Upgraded Mazda BT-50 set for Q1 2025 arrival

THE covers have been pulled off the facelifted 2025 Mazda BT-50, with upgrades to design, safety and equipment aimed at keeping it competitive in the fiercely fought dual-cab market that will only get busier with the impending arrival of the Kia Tasman, BYD Shark 6, Riddara RD6 and Foton Tunland to name a few.

Pricing, model range and exact specification remain under wraps until closer to its local arrival in Q1 2025, but full details of the changes have been revealed, with Australia enjoying a leading role in those changes as the BT-50's biggest market.

More than 60,000 BT-50s have been sold in Australia since the latest generation was introduced in 2020, and its 2024 total makes it Mazda’s fourth-biggest seller after the CX-3, CX-30 and CX-5 SUVs.

In the 4x4 dual-cab segment its 9230 sales YTD (as of September) put it essentially equal-fifth with the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series (just 26 sales separate the two), though another 2384 4x2 sales secure it that fifth place overall behind the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton.

Unsurprisingly, the BT-50's upgrades align closely with those made to its under-the-skin twin, the D-Max, but Mazda has taken the opportunity to revise the styling with a more aggressive front bumper, including integrated air curtains to improve airflow, a new LED headlight design and a larger grille, with black trim replacing the previous chrome.

The only sheetmetal change is a new tailgate, which has been reshaped for a bolder look and better aerodynamics and features a more prominent Mazda badge, while the taillights have also come in for attention.

Three new colours join the range – Geode White Pearl, Sailing Blue Metallic and the hero Red Earth Metallic – and black wheelarch extensions will remain on high-spec ‘SP’ variants. Wheel designs have also been altered but remain 18 x 7.5-inch on most variants.

Greater change has taken place on the inside thanks to a new dash, incorporating a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with physical volume and tuning dials and a 7.0-inch customisable digital instrument display, both familiar from the updated D-Max.

Flagship variants also receive the option of two-tone leather seats finished in black and terracotta with ‘BT-50’ stitched into the front headrests, designed specifically to match the new Red Earth exterior hero colour.

Wireless Android Auto joins the existing wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility, faster-charging USB-C ports are now included front and rear, there is a USB port in the rearview mirror housing for powering dash cams and the central touchscreen can now display real-time vehicle data such as steering and tilt angles, tyre pressure monitoring and the drive mode selected.

Mechanically there are no changes bar the addition of ‘rough terrain’ mode, which allows the activation of traction control when low range is selected.

Engine choice remains the 110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre or 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesels with either a six-speed manual or automatic.

Driver assistance features have been upgraded significantly, with new stereo cameras doubling the vehicle’s field of view.

The autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system can now detect motorcycles and pedestrians at intersections, emergency lane keeping can identify road edges without lane markings while traffic jam assist, rear cross-traffic brake and intelligent adaptive cruise control, – that will automatically adjust the vehicle’s speed when it detects a new limit – join the list of safety features.

Mazda has also revised and expanded its range of factory-backed accessories, including a new Mazda-designed and ARB-built bullbar, Lightforce driving lights, new wheel designs, wheelarch extensions, sports bars, suspension upgrades and a new built-in awning.

Braked towing capacity remains 3500kg but payloads may adjust slightly depending on the weight added or subtracted by new equipment. For instance, the revised bullbar is lighter than the one it replaces to the benefit of payload on vehicles so equipped.

“Forming an integral part of our model range here in Australia, the BT-50 has set the tone as a versatile, ready-for-anything vehicle that suits a variety of customer needs,” said Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi in a statement.

“For 2025, this impactful new design has matured our much-loved ute to be an even more compelling choice regardless of the task at hand.”