2022 Mazda BT-50: Pros and Cons

The all-new Mazda BT-50 entered the local market in December 2021 and ever since its arrival it has revamped the pick-up space in the country completely. The third-gen model showcases a redesigned exterior and a car-like cabin. Overall, it has contributed to justifying the shift around the pickup, from being a man’s car to a lifestyle vehicle.

The Mazda BT-50 is essentially a rebadged Isuzu D-Max, so it gets the rugged characters of an Isuzu along with the soft charm of Mazda. In this article, we’ll however discuss both goods and bad around the pickup and see whether or not it is worth all the fuss that has been created around it since launch.

So, here we’ll be discussing the pros and cons of the 2022 Mazda BT-50 that is offered in two variant options - 1.9 High and 3.0 High Plus.

Pros -

Impressive looks

The BT-50 sure looks the part, it’s sporty and aggressive, however at the same time being a class looker. The latter bit comes from Mazda’s Kodo design language bringing along smoother lines and softer tones.

Elements like sharp LED headlights, massive alloys, family grill, and overall design finesse help it stand out.

Capability

The BT-50 is not all just about looks, the pickup understands the segment very well and is built to do its part. With a ground clearance of 240 mm and a water wading depth of 800 mm, the Mazda pickup can take on any terrain.

Economical

The BT-50 is offered with two engine options; a 150 PS/350 Nm 1.9-litre turbo diesel mill and a 190 PS/450 Nm 3.0-litre turbo diesel unit. While the former is good enough for daily commute, the latter is perfect for some serious off-roading.

The BT-50 variants with the 1.9-litre turbo mill benefit from some of the cheapest road taxes in the country for pickups. For instance, it costs between RM 221 - RM 400 (depending on the variant), and it is much cheaper than its rivals with 2.2-, 2.4-. And 2.8-litre options.

In terms of mileage, the BT-50 1.9-litre unit returned 12 kmpl which is quite impressive compared to Mitsubishi Triton's 11 kmpl figure.

Amazing drive experience

The BT-50 3.0-litre trim offers an amazing driving experience thanks to the smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission and not-too-heavy steering.

The driver can also switch between different modes (2H, 4L, & 4H) by just rotating the knob.

Not to forget, the rear differential lock further aids the pickup’s off-road capability.

Comforting cabin

The new BT-50 cabin is a nice place to be in with everything well-designed. Although it is a true copy of the D-Max, it benefits from all the experience Isuzu has gained over the years in the segment.

A few pros here are - great ergonomics with all touchpoints logically placed, comforting seats, tilt & telescopic steering, driver’s seat with electric adjustment, advanced infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay support, and fine audio quality.

Cons -

Less storage solution & compromised rear bench comfort

The BT-50 has compromised on the cabin storage solutions and comfort levels of the last row seat. The latter is pretty upright and feels unnatural to sit on, thus making long trips a bit of a challenging affair. We also missed an extra secret spot at the back to hide things when the bed isn’t any good.

Misses out on 7-year warranty

Both the BT-50 1.9 and 3.0-litre variants only get a 5-year/100,000 km warranty, even the D-Max with its 5-year/150,000 km warranty option does a little better.

Also, not part of the deal is Mazda’s class-benchmark free maintenance/service package.

The range-topping variant has a higher upkeep cost

Compared to cars, pickups do have a higher upkeep cost but the BT-50 even exceeds most of its competitors. A big contributor is the massive 3.0-litre powertrain that calls for higher road tax (around RM 903 to RM 1,640).

Conclusion

The Mazda BT-50 despite being a pickup truck has a lot to offer. For instance, the design and comfort elements of an SUV. Even the safety and convenience features are up-to-date.

Overall, it is a stand-out vehicle that will be your partner in every journey you plan to undertake, on or off-road.

Also Read: Mazda BT-50 or its sibling Isuzu D-Max: Which 4x4 pickup truck is more interesting to buy right now?