Mazda BT-50 SP 4WD Ute 2022 Review

BT-50 SP – I’ve just spent a week in the Mazda BT-50 SP, which adds a lot of style and bling to the GT version.

The BT-50 is based on the Isuzu D-Max but Mazda adds their own flair. This is apparent in the external styling that has a familial front grill similar to the CX-9.

I Like the Styling, it brings some subtle sophistication in a segment where many are going for the rugged look.  Its amongst the best for passenger comfort as well.

Inside the SP has an upmarket feel with soft touch points everywhere, leather steering wheel, black and tan leather interior, heated front seats that are particularly comfortable, wireless apple car Play and Android Auto, plus more.

TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Around town the Mazda displays a compliant ride it was surprising how little you felt road bumps in the cabin. 18 inch wheel and tyre combination also helps cocoon the occupants as well as offering a wider range of off road tyres.

BT-50 SP is powered by the current 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel four-cylinder engine, producing 140kW and 450Nm. Exclusively available in 4 x 4 Dual Cab Pickup form, the BT-50 SP comes with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

Priced from $63,290 for the MT and $66,290 for the AT.

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Rob Fraser

Some other BT-50 Articles

• 1 – Brand-New Mazda BT-50 expands its offering to a wider range of ute buyers.
• 2 – Mazda BT 50 Thunder 4WD Dual Cab Ute 2021 Review
• 3 – Mazda BT-50 Thunder set to storm dealerships in April
• 4 – Mazda BT-50 4×4 XT Dual Cab manual 2021 Review
• 5 – Mazda BT50 GT: Tradie Pickup Never Looked Better
• 6 – Toyota HiLux Rogue 4WD Ute and Mazda BT-50 Thunder 4WD Ute
• 7 – Mazda reveals brand-NEW MAZDA BT-50

 Also Look At

• Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain
• Nissan Navara ST-X
• Toyota HiLux Rugged X
• VW Amarok 580
• Ford Ranger FX4
• Mitsubishi Triton GSR

*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)

 Motoring Minutes are heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network. 

Our Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 150,000 listeners. With over 750,000 listeners a week they are also syndicated through various news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program, which is broadcast through the Community Radio Network across Australia.

BT-50 SP Specific details

Positioned above the BT-50 GT Dual Cab Pickup, the factory-produced BT-50 SP uses a combination of black and grey exterior features to give a sporty appeal. Building on the highly specified GT, which already includes heated front seats and an auto-dimming interior mirror, the SP adds:

• Metallic grey roof rails
• Black grille
• Gunmetal signature wing
• Gloss black exterior mirrors
• Gloss black door handles
• Satin black 18-inch alloy wheels
• Grey side steps
• Black and Driftwood leather with synthetic suede interior trim
• Manually-operated black roller tonneau cover
• Tub liner
• Gloss black sail-plane sport bar
• Front bumper lower decoration trim
• Gloss black wheel flares

 BT-50 SP General details

BT-50 SP Exterior

• Styling is elegant with a distinctly Mazda front bonnet and black grill. It looks similar to the CX-9
• Black wheel arches, 18 inch alloys and grey side steps add to the subtle styling.
• Rear tub liner is practical.
• The roll top tonneau cover has its practicalities, but in general I’m not a big fan as they restrict cargo space and have to be fully opened to close, not the best idea in rain.

BT-50 SP Interior

• Definitely upmarket
• While some don’t like the black and tan leather trim, I actually don’t mind it
• Seats are comfortable, heated in the front and the driver’s seat is electronically adjustable along with additional lumbar support.
• Thick leather steering wheel feels good in the hands and frames the drivers instruments
• Height and reach adjustment is essential.
• Plenty of room for the front occupants and reasonable for the rear.
• There is however no left foot rest

BT-50 SP Features

Well equipped, the SP includes not only the specific cosmetic additions mentioned above but also includes:

• Apple CarPlay® (wireless and USB) and Android™ Auto (USB)
• 0-inch infotainment system  is practical if a little basic in functionality
• Heated exterior mirrors,
• Auto dimming rear view mirror,
• Auto LED Headlights and high beam, with precise calibration
• Front LED fog lamps and DRL’s
• They combine to provide wide and bright front lighting
• Dual zone climate A/C with rear vents
• Keyless entry, remote start and walk away locking
• Rear-seat USB charging point

BT-50 SP Drive experience

• The 3.0L 4 Cyl turbo diesel engine comes from Isuzu, so you know its robust
• 140kW/450Nm provides adequate performance on the open road
• It’s off road and towing where you appreciate the wide spread and low rpm of the torque delivery.
• This makes for relaxed driving and cruising
• There is little road, wind or engine noise inside.
• Rear diff lock is handy
• Six speed AT is well matched to the engine
• Economy is actually pretty good, we averaged the ADR figure over the 700 odd km we drove in the week. It was better around town than we expected.
• On road dynamics are actually quite good and its more like a SUV
• Off road the suspension and tyres soaked up most of the road and track irregularities. It remained composed

BT-50 SP Safety Features

Along with the Isuzu D Max the BT-50 has class leading safety features, including:

• Reverse camera
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Pre-crash safety
• Airbags SRS (driver, front passenger, side, curtain, driver’s knee and driver’s far- side)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Attention Assist
• Automatic High Beam (AHB)
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
• Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK) – Overtaking
• Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
• Hill Descent Control (HDC)
• Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
• Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) (automatic transmission only)
• Locking Rear Differential (LRD) – switchable on/off (4×4 models)
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Roll Over Protection (ROP)
• Secondary Collision Reduction
• Speed Assist System
• Traction Control System (TCS)
• Turn Assist
• Front parking sensors

BT-50 SP Daily things

• The SP is surprisingly quiet and cocooned inside
• Ride around town seems to be more compliant and more SUV like than Ute like
• BT-50 is possibly the best looking Ute on the market (subjective view)
• Not a fan of the windscreen washers though where the water comes out of the wipers.
• Walk away locking can be both handy and a pain as it will lock if you walk around the back to go to the other side doors.
• Lane keep assist is a little intrusive but can be turned off by pressing a button on the steering wheel.
• Appreciate the choice between adaptive cruise control with radar function and the ability to switch it off
• Missing the slide out cup holders (from D-Max) was noticeable

Mazda Owner Benefits

Brand-New Mazda BT-50 customers benefit from a comprehensive five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, with complimentary roadside assist for the warranty’s duration.

Servicing intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

Mazda BT-50 annual servicing schedule (4×4 automatic variants)

When purchasing through Mazda Finance’s Mazda Assured program, Brand-New Mazda BT-50 customers benefit from Guaranteed Future Value*. (more details here)

BT-50 SP Final Thoughts

As mentioned a few times I like the upmarket styling of the BT-50, it adds as sense of elegance to the segment. SP cosmetic additions enhance that elegance.

That style advantage continues inside as well.

On road ride and handling are smooth and responsive and a direct comparison to the Amarok would be interesting.

Yep the BT-50 SP gets a big tick from me