2025 mazda bt 50 in red feature

2025 Mazda BT-50 Price and Specs Revealed

Ben McKimm
By Ben McKimm - News

Published:

Readtime: 6 min

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The new Mazda BT-50 ute is here, and the brand is not shying away from calling this “the most significant update since its conception in 2020.”

If you’ve been holding out on picking up the updated model, it’s now on sale at dealerships across Australia, with first customer deliveries commencing later this month. Buyers will have a choice from the usual range of body styles, including Single Chassis, Freestyle Chassis, Dual Cab Chassis, and Dual Cab with pricing ranging from $36,400 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Single Chassis XS with 1.9-litre turbo diesel to $71,500 plus on-road costs for the Dual Cab Pickup SP with its bulletproof 3.0-litre turbo diesel.

We’re telling you that it’s new, but you probably wouldn’t be able to tell from the looks alone because it appears largely the same as the ute it’s replacing. Under the skin, several small changes add up to a more rounded ownership experience, including a new customisable 7-inch Multi-Information Display (MID) for the driver and a new easy-down tailgate. Let’s take a closer look!

RELATED: ‘Radical’ Kia Tasman Unveiled: New Ute to Rival Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

2025 mazda bt 50 updates
2025 Mazda BT-50 | Image: Supplied / Mazda

Does the New BT-50 Have Anything in Common With the Old One?

The short answer is that a lot has stayed the same with the Mazda BT-50. While these aforementioned upgrades certainly bring the vehicle into the modern era, the standard equipment list and engines remain mostly unchanged.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing because top models in the line-up are still powered by the infamous 4JJ3 3.0-litre inline 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that produces 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque. Yes, it’s down on power compared to other dual-cab utes in this segment, especially those of the V6 variety, but it’s a proven workhorse that won’t let you down when you’re out in the bush.

If you choose the entry-level XS 4×2 model, it retains the smaller 1.9-litre inline 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel that offers up to 110 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque, and no matter which engine you choose you’ll only receive a six-speed automatic transmission, another carry-over unit from the previous generation.

2025 mazda bt 50 interior dashboard
2025 Mazda BT-50 | Image: Supplied / Mazda

Specifications are also mostly the same, and here’s what you’re getting for your money with each Mazda BT-50 model:

BT-50 XS is available on the Single Cab body only, and is equipped with:

  • Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (i-ACC) with stop-and-go
  • 8.0-inch full-colour touchscreen display
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless and USB)
  • 17-inch steel wheels
  • LED headlamps
  • Black cloth seats
  • Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK) with road edge detection
  • Rear Cross Traffic Brake (RCTB)
  • Reverse camera

BT-50 XT is available in Single Cab, Freestyle Cab and Dual Cab bodies, and adds:

  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • 3.0-litre in-line 4-cylinder diesel engine
  • Option of 4×2 or 4×4 drivetrains
  • Locking rear differential (4×4 models only)
  • Tailgate assist (pickup models only)
  • Rear air-conditioning vents (dual cab models only)
  • Rough-Terrain Mode (4×4 models only)
  • Rear-parking sensors (pickup model only)

BT-50 XTR is available with a Dual Cab body and adds:

  • 18-inch machined alloy wheels
  • Front LED fog lamps
  • LED headlamps with auto-levelling
  • Power-folding exterior mirrors
  • Side-steps
  • Signature daytime running lamps (DRL)
  • Tow bar with receiver, tongue and wiring harness (pickup models only)
  • Tub liner (pickup models only)
  • 9-inch full-colour touchscreen
  • Advanced keyless entry
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Satellite navigation
  • Tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

BT-50 GT is available in 4×4 only, and adds:

  • Heated exterior mirrors
  • Black leather seats
  • Electric driver’s seat with eight-way power adjustment
  • Heated front seats
  • Remote engine start
  • Front parking sensors

BT-50 SP receives visual enhancements over the GT and adds:

  • 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels
  • Gloss black sail plane sports bar
  • Gloss black side steps
  • Gloss black fender flares
  • Gloss black roof rails
  • Gloss black exterior mirror caps
  • Gloss black door and tailgate handles
  • Roller tonneau cover (manual operation
  • Black and terracotta Maztex and suede seats

No matter which model you choose there’s a suite of safety technologies, including Mazda’s Lane Keep Assist System (LAS), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition and Trailer Sway Control (TSC).

2025 mazda bt 50 offroad
2025 Mazda BT-50 | Image: Supplied / Mazda

So What’s Changed With the Mazda BT-50?

You can practically count the additions to the updated Mazda BT-50 on one hand, they include:

  • New easy-down tailgate that integrates a mountain-inspired ridged design along the bottom edge,
  • New LED tail lamps
  • New 9-inch infotainment screen, which brings it up to the standard of other units in the market.
  • New customisable 7-inch Multi-Information Display (MID) works with the central screen
  • New larger Mazda logo

Yes, these additions are necessary to bring the BT-50 into the modern era, but they’re only incremental changes that don’t exactly position it above and beyond its competitors.

2025 mazda bt 50
2025 Mazda BT-50 | Image: Supplied / Mazda

What Does This Mean It’s the Best Ute Now?

No, not quite. If we take the popular Mazda BT-50 XTR model grade (from AUD$66,170 plus on-roads) there’s simply more value to be found in the platform-shared and cheaper ISUZU D-Max LS-U+ (from AUD$65,500 plus on-roads). Then, there’s the new Toyota HiLux SR5 48V (from AUD$60,580 plus on-roads) which is infinitely more popular and offers hybrid technology. Finally, there’s the Mitsubishi Triton which tops out at AUD$63,850 plus on-roads in GSR trim and offers arguably the best value for money in the segment.

The BT-50 is undoubtedly the best-looking ute in the market, but it’s still a generation from really battling out at the top of the market, and the sales figures back this up. Here’s how it stacked up in 2024:

  • Ford Ranger 4X4 – 57,960 sales
  • Toyota Hilux 4X4 – 45,839 sales
  • Isuzu Ute D-Max 4X4 – 24,031 sales
  • Mitsubishi Triton 4X4 – 14,737 sales
  • Mazda BT-50 4X4 – 12,161 sales
  • Nissan Navara 4X4 – 9,032 sales

Ultimately, the Ford Ranger remains the pick for the best dual-cab ute on the market right now as it costs roughly the same as the BT-50, especially for the top model grades, but offers more power, tech, comfort, and equal capability off-road.

Despite the strides Mazda has made, there’s also more support for the Ranger and HiLux in the aftermarket. With the release of this new model, Mazda will offer access to more than 100 Mazda Genuine Accessories specifically developed and tested for Australian conditions by the local Mazda team in collaboration with trusted suppliers. However, if you want to build your dream off-roader, there’s simply more support for other marques.

2025 mazda bt 50 interior seats
2025 Mazda BT-50 | Image: Supplied / Mazda
2025 mazda bt 50 rear tail gate
2025 Mazda BT-50 | Image: Supplied / Mazda

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Ben McKimm

Journalist - Automotive & Tech

Ben McKimm

Ben lives in Sydney, Australia. He has a Bachelor's Degree (Media, Technology and the Law) from Macquarie University (2020). Outside of his studies, he has spent the last decade heavily involved in the automotive, technology and fashion world. Turning his ...