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The current BT-50 hit the market in 2020. It's done pretty well for Mazda down under, becoming their second best-selling model after the CX-5 in Australia. But it hasn't been smooth sailing everywhere. The pickup couldn't gain traction with buyers in New Zealand and South Africa, leading Mazda to pull it from those markets.
Mazda BT-50 is produced in Thailand along with the technically related Isuzu D-Max. The two trucks share a lot under the skin. Isuzu gave the D-Max a refresh about a year ago, so it makes sense for Mazda to follow suit.
The teaser image Mazda released gives us a peek at the front end. The headlights look more aggressive now, kind of like the ones on the CX-5. There's a new grille design too. But the real eye-catcher is the Mazda badge – it's huge, the biggest one they've ever put on a production vehicle.
Inside, we'll likely see some nice upgrades. Expect a new 7-inch digital gauge cluster and some tweaks to the controls under the 9-inch infotainment screen. Mazda will probably add more USB-C ports and maybe even a remote start feature.
The tech should get better too. We'll probably see improvements to the interface, safety features, and overall functionality. There might be some new driver assistance features as well.
For off-road fans, Mazda might borrow Isuzu's Rough Terrain Mode. This system helps improve traction when the going gets tough.
Under the hood, things will probably stay mostly the same. Right now, you can get the BT-50 with either a 1.9-liter turbodiesel making 148 horsepower or a beefier 3.0-liter turbodiesel with 187 horsepower. You can pick between a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, and choose rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Mazda's hoping these updates will help the BT-50 stand out in a tough crowd. It's up against some stiff competition from the likes of the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and Mitsubishi Triton.
Source: Mazda Australia
