STYLE COUNCIL

MAZDA HAS GIVEN ITS BT-50 UTE A MIDLIFE MAKEOVER TO KEEP THE MODEL LOOKING UP TO DATE

- WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS

MAZDA Australia has given its BT-50 midsize ute a mild midlife makeover to keep it looking fresh with design updates including a new front-end treatment with a new grille, bumper and slim LED headlights. The light clusters incorporate the main and high beams, DRLs and parking lights, with fog lamps located in the new bumper. The grille features a bold and blunt nose giving the vehicle a more aggressive and modern look.

The rear end features new tail-lamps and tailgate, the latter with an easy-lift helper spring.

Inside there are more upgrades with a new infotainment screen and fresh trim designs and materials depending on the model grade. Rather than a wholesale redesign, it’s an evolution of what has always been one of the most stylish cabins in the midsize ute market, and one that is sure to resonate with those who appreciate such niceties.

In front of the driver is a new instrument binnacle using a 107mm display in XS and XT grades and a 178mm display in higher-grade XTR, GT and SP models.

The BT-50 remains powered by a choice of 1.9- and 3.0-litre diesel engines making a claimed 110kw-350Nm and 140kW-450Nm respectively. The smaller 1.9-litre mill is only available in the traffic-controller spec 4x2 XS single-cab. Both engines are backed by a six-speed automatic transmission. There are six high-rider 4x2 and nine 4x4 models on offer, including pickup and cab-chassis variants, and single Freestyle (extra-cab) and double-cab bodies.

Mazda no longer offers a manual gearbox in the BT-50 stating that it accounted for less than three per cent of sales… and that figure was in decline.