Mazda does not often occupy the highest finish of city, however that is precisely the place the BT-50 SP examined right here resides.
Ignoring full-size American pickup vehicles and some different oddballs, the SP is among the many priciest mid-size dual-cab 4×4 utes you should buy proper now, with an asking worth of $73,490 earlier than on-road prices.
That is practically twice as a lot as you will pay for an entry-level BT-50 single-cab/chassis. To place it in another way, this BT-50 instructions top-spec Kia Tasman and Toyota HiLux cash.
So, what do you get for the hefty spend? Properly, the upgrades are principally beauty, bar the introduction of a guide curler tonneau cowl. As such, the SP is ready as much as win worksite magnificence contests, moderately than the Dakar Rally.
Nonetheless, there is a marketplace for ‘life-style’ utes in 2026, and Mazda is aware of a factor or two about design, each exterior and inside.
Isuzu working gear ensures it retains relevance as a workhorse, too.
However, I query the worth in dressed up dual-cabs like this SP. However maybe per week behind the wheel will change my thoughts.
How a lot does the Mazda BT-50 value?
The Mazda BT-50 ute lineup has expanded for 2026, with the Thunder returning and a brand new Boss grade becoming a member of the vary.
|
Mannequin |
Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XS 2.2L 4×2 single-cab/chassis |
$38,400 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XT 3.0L 4×2 single-cab/chassis |
$40,900 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XT 3.0L 4×2 Freestyle cab/chassis |
$44,500 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XS 2.2L 4×2 dual-cab pickup |
$47,210 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XT 3.0L 4×2 dual-cab/chassis |
$48,110 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XT 3.0L 4×4 single-cab/chassis |
$48,750 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XT 3.0L 4×2 dual-cab pickup |
$49,710 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XT 3.0L 4×4 Freestyle cab/chassis |
$52,500 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XS 2.2L 4×4 dual-cab/chassis |
$53,620 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XS 2.2L 4×4 dual-cab pickup |
$55,220 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XTR 3.0L 4×2 dual-cab pickup |
$55,780 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XT 3.0L 4×4 dual-cab/chassis |
$56,120 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XT 3.0L 4×4 dual-cab pickup |
$57,720 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 Boss 3.0L 4×4 dual-cab pickup |
$60,220 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XTR 3.0L 4×4 dual-cab/chassis |
$61,600 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 XTR 3.0L 4×4 dual-cab pickup |
$64,740 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 GT 3.0L 4×4 dual-cab/chassis |
$65,020 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 GT 3.0L 4×4 dual-cab pickup |
$68,160 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 SP 3.0L 4×4 dual-cab pickup |
$73,490 |
|
2026 Mazda BT-50 Thunder 3.0L 4×4 dual-cab pickup |
$78,400 |
On check right here is the up-spec SP, which is now $1540 dearer than earlier than. This steeper worth is because of the inclusion of a typical surround-view digicam for MY26.
Nevertheless, Mazda is at present providing 2025-plated examples of the SP for $68,990 drive-away – a reduction totalling greater than $10,000 all up.
To see how the Mazda BT-50 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What’s the Mazda BT-50 like on the within?
Beneficiant lashings of darkish suede and terracotta vinyl jazz up the cabin of this in any other case conventional dual-cab.
However how jazzy does a ute actually must be? And I am unsure that suede – a fabric usually related to efficiency – matches the vibe of the not-so-sporty BT-50. As such, I do not see this ‘premium’ upholstery mixture as an improve over the black leather-based present in the usual GT.
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And, supplies apart, there’s nothing else inside to separate the 2 variants, that are priced greater than $5000 aside.
Nonetheless, you are getting all one of the best inside bits Mazda has to supply, together with a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, 7.0-inch driver’s instrument show, and many tactile switchgear.
I might anticipate a bit extra for the cash, although, particularly when you think about the BT-50 was up to date simply final yr.
The centre display is small and fuzzy by 2026 requirements, and presents little or no in the way in which of contemporary performance except for wi-fi smartphone mirroring. You’ll be able to say the identical in regards to the digital instrument cluster, and there is not any head-up show.
This ‘fancy’ model of the BT-50 does not actually have a wi-fi telephone charger, only a pair of USB-C shops below the centre stack, plus a 12-volt energy outlet. A 3rd USB outlet meant for sprint cameras might be discovered behind the rear-view mirror.
Certain, all of the tech within the BT-50 is practical and uncomplicated, however that is not fairly sufficient for consumers at this finish of the market. Slightly, they deserve the degrees of gadgetry and wow-factor you get in rival pickups such because the Tasman, MG U9, and even the brand new HiLux.
Having stated that, I do favor how the within of the BT-50 is laid out, with its conventional gear selector, bodily handbrake, easy local weather management panel, and central drive mode buttons. There’s not a lot studying required right here, even for these popping out of a lot older utes.
The BT-50 additionally makes an honest case from a consolation perspective. Each entrance seats supply ample rib and thigh assist, in addition to a variety of electrical adjustment and three-stage heating for cold winter mornings. In an identical vein, the steering wheel tilts and telescopes to go well with nearly any driving place.
Cabin storage additionally will get a move mark. The door bins and armrest compartment are comparatively shallow, whereas dash-mounted cupholders are absent altogether. Nevertheless, most servo-sourced drinks match within the centre cupholders, and extra precious gadgets might be saved in a ‘hidden’ (however not lockable) compartment above the glovebox.
Transferring again, there’s room for 2 full-sized adults to co-exist comfortably within the second row – this six-one tester discovered headroom to be in robust provide, whereas outboard passengers are additionally afforded a formidable quantity of legroom.
On the identical time, the rear bench is plush sufficient to maintain fussy travellers pleased over longer journeys.
They will not, nonetheless, admire having to battle over a single USB-C outlet when their telephones run flat.
Different rear facilities embrace twin air vents, bottle-shaped door bins, broad map pockets on the seatbacks, and a centre armrest with built-in cupholders.
Tub house is arguably extra necessary to the common purchaser, and the BT-50 defies its compact dimensions by providing one of many longest load areas of any mainstream ute (1571mm).
The bathtub is definitely accessible too, courtesy of hydraulic tailgate struts, and Mazda has optimised its packaging to minimise wheel-arch intrusion.
Past simply house, SP consumers can anticipate a neatly lined tub in addition to a typical tow bar, guide curler tonneau cowl, and sports activities bar.
|
Dimensions |
Mazda BT-50 SP |
|---|---|
|
Size |
5460mm |
|
Width |
1870mm |
|
Top |
1810mm |
|
Wheelbase |
3125mm |
|
Tub size |
1571mm |
|
Tub width |
1530mm (most), 1120mm (between wheel-arches) |
|
Tub depth |
490mm |
To see how the Mazda BT-50 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What’s below the bonnet?
There are two four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines accessible throughout the BT-50 vary – a lately launched 2.2-litre engine and this trusty 3.0-litre turbo-diesel – each sourced from Isuzu.
|
Specs |
Mazda BT-50 SP |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
3.0L 4cyl turbo-diesel |
|
Energy |
140kW |
|
Torque |
450Nm |
|
Transmission |
6-speed automated |
|
Drive sort |
4-wheel drive |
|
Gasoline financial system (claimed) |
7.8L/100km |
|
Gasoline financial system (as examined) |
8.9L/100km |
|
CO2 emissions (claimed) |
204g/km |
|
Gasoline tank |
76L |
|
Weight |
2176kg |
|
Payload |
924kg |
|
Braked towing capability |
3500kg |
|
Gross car mass (GVM) |
3100kg |
|
Gross mixture mass (GCM) |
6000kg |
To see how the Mazda BT-50 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
How does the Mazda BT-50 drive?
Upgrades for the SP do not lengthen to its working gear, nor any of its mechanicals. In different phrases, this specced-up variant drives like some other 3.0-litre BT-50.
The optimistic tackle that evaluation is that the SP inherits all of the strengths of its stablemates, particularly approachability and ease of operation.
Some fashionable utes (I am taking a look at you, Kia Tasman) have grown so huge that they are considerably inconvenient to pilot round city, however not the BT-50. Slightly, it feels compact and manoeuvrable, courtesy of a comparatively quick bonnet and slim physique, and closely assisted steering.
Understandably, this mightn’t register with rural consumers. City consumers, then again, usually tend to see worth within the BT-50’s capability to comfortably navigate tight metropolis streets and busy Bunnings carparks.
The BT-50 can be significantly lighter than the equal Ford Ranger, HiLux and Tasman, making it much less tiresome to drive in stop-start suburban conditions.
Additional to that, each pedals have been expertly calibrated, so it is easy to discover a rhythm together with your proper foot. Having stated that, purple lights do not symbolize a possibility to carry off the brake pedal, because the BT-50 does not include auto-hold – a helpful and widespread comfort characteristic.
Sitting in heavy site visitors also can set off phantom warnings from the entrance proximity sensors – a wierd and annoying quirk of the BT-50.
My misgivings do not finish there, both. Subsequent cab off the rank is the BT-50’s engine.
Now, do not get me unsuitable, the three.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine present in each the BT-50 and its Isuzu D-Max donor car is a serviceable and reportedly very dependable lump. It is simply not that refined, neither is it significantly potent.
Firing to life after an extended, lumpy crank, the beating coronary heart of this Mazda settles into an audible clatter that refuses to subside. Turbo-diesel dual-cabs aren’t precisely recognized to be easy operators, however the BT-50 nonetheless feels (and sounds) fairly agricultural in comparison with the Ranger and Tasman, not to mention the wave of latest PHEVs sweeping by the native ute market.
The engine solely grows louder below load, and there is not sufficient payoff within the type of efficiency. Whereas not essentially underpowered, the BT-50 is under-torqued for a car that guarantees 3.5-tonne towing, particularly given its relative lack of mass.
It additionally feels slightly underdone from a suspension standpoint, because the journey is sort of busy over imperfect surfaces. On the identical time, the rear-end is liable to extreme see-sawing at low speeds when the bathtub is empty. As such, the Tasman, Ranger and Navara are higher choices if consolation on the street is a precedence.
The journey does enhance at greater speeds, however motorways and highways expose additional drawbacks to the BT-50.
For one, it stays loud – wind gathers across the giant facet mirrors, and there is a fixed clang from below the bonnet.
Then there’s its superior driver help techniques (ADAS).
Do not get me unsuitable, there’s loads of contemporary security tech to be discovered on this ute, however a few of it does not fairly work as meant. For instance, the adaptive cruise management system is gradual to react to modifications in site visitors circulate, so gradual that it typically forces driver intervention to forestall an accident. That is not very secure.
Additional, the inaccuracy of the BT-50’s lane-centring operate discourages its use. What is the level of a semi-autonomous driving system that is not even remotely reliable?
You’ll be able to belief the BT-50 to fulfil its guarantees off-road, although.
All 4×4 variants now come customary with a rear differential lock in addition to Tough Terrain Mode, which helps with low-speed traction on free surfaces. And past these latest additions, the BT-50 already boasted a variety of drive modes together with low-range 4WD, and high-range two-wheel drive (2H) and four-wheel drive (4H). Nevertheless, there’s no automated 4H mode as in top-spec Rangers.
|
Off-road dimensions |
Mazda BT-50 SP |
|---|---|
|
Monitor entrance and rear |
1570mm |
|
Floor clearance |
240mm |
|
Method angle |
27.0 levels |
|
Departure angle |
17.9 levels |
|
Ramp breakover angle |
24.3 levels |
|
Wading depth |
800mm |
To see how the Mazda BT-50 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
What do you get?
The SP now not sits on the high of the BT-50 tree, because the Thunder has been reintroduced to steal its… thunder.
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2025 Mazda BT-50 XS gear highlights:
- 17-inch metal wheels
- LED headlights
- Black material upholstery
- Vinyl flooring protecting
- Air-conditioning
- Energy home windows
- Rain-sensing wipers
- 7.0-inch instrument cluster display
- 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
BT-50 XT provides:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Rear air vents (pickup solely)
- Tailgate help
- Tough terrain mode (4×4 solely)
- Locking rear differential (4×4 solely)
BT-50 XTR provides:
- 18-inch machined alloy wheels
- LED entrance fog lights
- Auto-levelling LED headlights with daytime working lights (DRLs)
- Energy-folding exterior mirrors
- Aspect steps
- Tow bar with receiver, tongue and wiring harness (pickup solely)
- Tub liner (pickup fashions solely)
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Leather-based-wrapped gear selector
- Twin-zone local weather management
- 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Superior keyless entry
BT-50 Boss provides (over XT):
- Gloss-black door and tailgate handles, exterior mirrors
- Black metal sports activities bar
- Aspect steps
- Tub liner
- ‘Boss’ decals
BT-50 GT provides:
- Heated mirrors
- Black leather-based seats
- Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Heated entrance seats
- Distant engine begin
BT-50 SP provides:
- 18-inch gloss-black alloy wheels
- Gloss-black exterior highlights
-
- Sail airplane sports activities bar
- Aspect steps
- Wheel-arch flares
- Roof rails
- Mirror caps
- Door and tailgate handles
- Guide curler tonneau cowl
- Black and terracotta ‘Maztex’ and suede upholstery
BT-50 Thunder provides (over GT):
- Single hoop bull bar
- Lightforce Beast driving lights
- Bolstered anti-slip facet steps
- Gloss-black door handles
- ‘Thunder’ decals
- Lengthy-legged metal sports activities bar
- Guide curler tonneau cowl
To see how the Mazda BT-50 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
Is the Mazda BT-50 secure?
The Mazda BT-50 was awarded a five-star ANCAP security ranking in 2022, primarily based on checks carried out on the associated Isuzu D-Max.
|
Class |
Mazda BT-50 |
|---|---|
|
Grownup occupant safety |
86 per cent |
|
Little one occupant safety |
89 per cent |
|
Susceptible street consumer safety |
67 per cent |
|
Security help |
84 per cent |
The utes had been reassessed regardless of having already obtained five-star rankings in 2020, because the D-Max and BT-50 obtained a design change to the motive force’s knee airbag and instrument panel.
Customary security gear contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Adaptive cruise management with cease and go
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver consideration monitoring
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keep help
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Entrance parking sensors (GT and SP solely)
- Rear parking sensors (pickup solely)
- Reverse digicam
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Trailer sway management
- Flip help
To see how the Mazda BT-50 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Mazda BT-50 value to run?
The Mazda BT-50 is roofed by the Japanese model’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, which incorporates roadside help for a similar interval.
|
Servicing and Guarantee |
Mazda BT-50 SP |
|---|---|
|
Guarantee |
5 years, limitless kilometres |
|
Roadside help |
5 years, limitless kilometres |
|
Service intervals |
12 months, 15,000km |
|
Capped-price servicing |
5 years |
|
Common annual capped-price service value |
$520.20 |
|
Whole capped-price service value |
$2601 |
For context, the primary 5 companies for an Isuzu D-Max value $469 every, totalling $2345 over 5 years. This is identical for each powertrains.
Ford presents considerably cheaper servicing for the Ranger, with the primary 5 companies accessible for $1596 below a pre-paid plan.
Equally, the primary six companies for a brand new HiLux are capped at $395, however given the Toyota has shorter six-month, 10,000km intervals, that works out to a complete of $2370 over simply three years.
To see how the Mazda BT-50 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mazda BT-50 SP
My pondering hasn’t modified – whereas the BT-50 is a strong and reliable dual-cab that is unlikely to allow you to down, the MY26 SP does not current a lot worth.
At round $80,000 on the street, it simply does not fairly stack as much as equally priced variations of the Ford Ranger, Kia Tasman and Volkswagen Amarok in key areas like powertrain refinement, journey consolation and tech integration.
Regardless, some could resolve they’re set on the Mazda. If that’s the case, the usual GT represents a much better deal, as many of the SP upgrades are beauty moderately than practical.
Nonetheless need the admittedly engaging SP? Save stacks of money and seize a runout MY25 instance sans surround-view digicam for $68,990 drive-away.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new Mazda BT-50. Click on right here to get a fantastic deal
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