2007 Mazda BT-50
28 Nov, 2006
29 Comments 
Mazda isn’t exactly synonymous with utilities but the new 2007 Mazda BT-50 utility is set to bring the Japanese brand to the spotlight in the utility market. BT-50 replaces Mazda’s proven B Series, which Mazda claims has sold more than three million vehicles worldwide.
The Mazda BT-50 is powered by high-performance diesel engines. Mazda designers and engineers built the BT-50 to possess five key values.
- Its stylish and athletic design aims to express the individual;
- its craftsmanship aims to deliver functional beauty, build quality and customer delight;
- driving performance features new powerful yet fuel-efficient diesel engines combined with superb handling;
- it adopts unique features with utility for a variety of practical purposes,
- it aims to provide safety levels that are top in its class.
The BT-50 comes in three available body types -
- Single Cab,
- Freestyle Cab
- Dual Cab -
The Single Cab body can comfortably seat two or three occupants, and provides a long 2400mm accessory alloy tray providing one of the largest load capacities in its class. At 1410kg the BT-50 Single Cab can haul an additional 30kg over the superseded B Series model.
In two-wheel drive, the Single Cab Chassis is powered by a new MZR-CD 2.5-litre, common-rail, DOHC 16-valve diesel engine that is more refined and fuel efficient than the previous engine, while producing an additional 23 kilowatts of power (now 105kW at 3500rpm) and 59 Newton metres more torque (now 330Nm at 1800rpm).
The 4×2 Single Cab Chassis consumes 8.3L/100km compared with 9.7L/100km (a 14.4 per cent improvement) for the equivalent B Series model according to ADR 81/01 fuel tests. Mated to a new five-speed manual gearbox it can accelerate from 0-100kmh in 10.4 seconds. Towing capacity has also improved with the braked capacity increasing significantly from 1800kg to 2250kg.
All other models in the range – 4×4 Single Cabs, Freestyle and Dual Cabs in both 4×2 and 4×4 specification – are powered by a new 3.0-litre common rail, DOHC 16-valve diesel engine that develops 115kW at 3200rpm (up 33kW) and 380Nm at 1800rpm (up 109Nm) on the superseded 2.5-litre diesel engine.
The use of a variable geometry turbocharger and a large intercooler ensure spirited acceleration, while a Variable Swirl Control Valve (VSCV) combined with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system and a high-efficiency EGR cooler ensures both engines meet Euro Stage IV compliance.
Maximum payload has improved over B Series from 1371kg to 1430kg and braked towing capacity has jumped from 1800kg to 2500kg.
Fuel consumption for all 4×4s has improved with five-speed manual models consuming on average 9.2L/100km, down from 10.1L/100km for the B Series. Range-topping Dual Cab SDX 4×4 models are also offered with a five-speed automatic transmission.
The Dual Cab body provides roomy comfort for five occupants, with two in the front and three in the back, making it just right for family use or for moving small work teams between locations.
Featuring the large door opening and easy access of Mazda’s unique Freestyle Door System, the Freestyle Cab body accommodates two in the front and two in the back, with the back offering plenty of room for carrying precious belongings. The front doors and rear access panels open from the centre in a design that uses no centre pillar to create an unobstructed opening of a wide 1,500mm.
With sedan-like atmosphere, helped by impressively low NVH levels, the Mazda BT-50’s sophisticated interior is enough to make occupants forget they are in a workhorse. With its subdued two-tone colour scheme employing grey as the keynote colour and with silver-finish accents highlighting details, the interior creates a modern, clean ambience that speaks of high quality.
The new instrument panel design features individual highlights common to those used in Mazda passenger cars. Three large meters are each framed by a stylish silver ring that instils a look of greater luxury.
A modular audio unit fits cleanly within the centre stack, and is covered by a silver-faced panel that ties well with the clean look of the cockpit. Both the single disc and six disc systems are MP3 compatible.
A keyless entry system is standard on all models making it easy to lock or unlock the doors (even when both of your hands are encumbered with boxes or bags.)
Safety has also been seriously considered by Mazda in developing the new BT-50. ABS anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake force Distribution are available on all but the entry Single Cab chassis 4×2 model.
Dual front airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters are standard on all but the farmer focussed Single Cab 4×4 model. In this case the airbags are an option. An airbag compatible bullbar will be offered on all 4×4 models.
Front seatbelt height adjusters are standard on all Dual Cab models.
Two types of 4WD system are available — manual shift or electric shift — with each offering easy operation between 4×2 and 4×4 modes and go-anywhere performance.
While carrying over the double wishbone front design and rear leaf springs proven tough and reliable on previous Mazda utilities, the system is refined to offer a smoother, more comfortable ride. Braking has also been upgraded.
All Mazda’s offer great value and the BT-50 range is no exception. Priced from $20,990 with air conditioning and an alloy tray, the Single Cab 4×2 model also includes alloy wheels, CD player, remote locking, variable intermittent wipers, low fuel warning light, engine immobiliser and dual airbags.
The promotional price for the 3.0-litre powered 4×4 version, complete with overfenders and automatic locking remote free wheel hubs, as well as an alloy tray and air conditioning, is $28,990.
Doug Dickson, Mazda Australia’s managing director, said:
“BT-50 offers commercial ute buyers a real Zoom-Zoom alternative. It blends tough workhorse credentials with great style, comfort and naturally driving enjoyment“.
Mazda Australia expects to build on the B Series sales success, which with 6269 sales year-to-date October, is enjoying its best year ever. BT-50 is expected to sell about 700 a month with 4×4 sales taking 50 per cent of the volume (up from 45 per cent now).
BT-50 is protected by a two year, unlimited kilometre or three year/100,000km warranty, whichever comes first.
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December 3rd, 2006 at 11:15 pm
The look of the new Mazda BT-50 is great and I will be happy to update my Bravo 4×4 for a new 3ltr turbo diesel dual cab.
Vote:February 1st, 2007 at 12:04 am
I just ordered 2 BT-50 Freestyles for my business, I went for the 4×4 3 litre plus packs, one with the style side and one with a tray, but the factory bullbar is somewhat unappealing in the looks department and I reccon if my 3 year old hung on it, the bar would snap,,, c’mon ARB and the likes and get a decent roo bar into production. Other than that, this new kid in the Mazda stable gave me a big smile on the test drive. Well done Mazda, I’m sold.
Vote:June 14th, 2007 at 10:35 am
Looking for a ute to pull a horse float with one horse in it. Double float approx. 780Kg plus horse approx.500Kg. would this ute(BT50)be suitable?
Vote:June 28th, 2007 at 3:20 am
do you have any idea when the mazda bt-50 is coming to canada?
thks jeff
Vote:September 20th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
do we get any petrol engines in south africa
Vote:September 25th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Is BT-50 suitable for towing caravan 1475kg? It says so but we have been told it won’t and to read the fine print? Any comments appreciated!!!
Vote:September 29th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
I do over 100,000 kms a year, this is the first Mazda BT50 i’ve had,(2×4, 2.5lt diesel),I am very happy with it. I believe it will knock Toyota off the pedestal. Can I get Cruise Control for it, and if so, how much.
Vote:January 23rd, 2008 at 5:48 pm
hi there recently bought a bt-50 freestyle cab chassis i have 2 tool boxes on the back and they have a combined weight of 200kgs with tools
Vote:i currently only get 480klm per tank thats a rate of 14.5/100k and you claim they get 9.2l/100k around the city im aware that i wont get 9.2 but you wouldn,t think it would be 14.5 and thats driving easy no ac on either
should i get the dealer to have a look at the problem ?
thank you
January 23rd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
is it the diesel model you have trent?
Vote:February 25th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Bought a BT 50 in January 2008 to replace a ten year old Land Rover Defender. Had an ARB diff lock fitted by the dealer before taking delivery.
Used the diff lock twice. Something went amiss inside the diff. it is presseurised and diff oil vapour comming out of seals when diff lock engaged.
Dealership says “see the company we subcontracted to fit it”.
Subcontractor says “see dealer, they bought the unit”.
Mazda Australia says “we can’t do anything, the diff lock is not a Mazda product”.
ARB says “we will honour the warrantee if our product is faulty”.
Contractor says “leave the vehicle with us we will pull it down, see what is wrong and order the parts”.
They are 3 or 4 hours drive from home. That means two vehicles travelling 8 hours and at least 2 days without the new Mazda.
No-one has offered to provide a replacement vehicle during the time taken to fix it.
Gee, am I sorry I din’t just keep the old Land Rover.
Vote:March 30th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I purchased a new BT-50 SDX Dual Cab in March 2007. After 12 months and 25000kms I can report that – a.) economy is fantastic – regularly get 9.2l/100km in a variety of conditions with best of 8.9l/100km on trip out west(so I would suggest Trent definitely sees his dealer!!) b.) cost of 20000km service diabolical at $720!! – dealer advised that Mazda changed service requirements for this service to include tappet adjustment which alone takes over 2 1/2 hours! I argued (without success) that if this was to fix problems discovered subsequent to vehicle’s release, this should have been a vehicle recall. Also gave negative feedback to Mazda Australia without reply! Apparently this will also be required at 120000km service so I’ll be trading before then and carefully considering other options!
Vote:April 23rd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I agree with Ken, I wish I had kept my Toyota.
Purchased 2003 Mazda Bravo 2.5LTD with 91,000 Kls.
Since then at 103,000 kls had to have 5th gear/reverse hub assy and mainshaft replaced at cost of $2,500.
Mazda don’t want to know about it, but did tell me that the gearbox had been replaced Aug, 2006 at 50,000 kls. Obviously replaced with another faulty gearbox.
I don’t think I will buy another Mazda, this will be my first and last.
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Have a BT50 Freestyle cab chassis with 12,000 Km and am flat out getting 11L/100km on H/way at legal speed no air.
Vote:Has any one worked out how to achieve the claimed 9.2L/100Km.
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:12 am
Aerokit – are you getting litres per 100km confused with km per litre?? I regularly get 8.9 – 9.4 l/100km in all conditions. Worst I have had was 12.2l/100km towing 1000kg camper trailer over 300km and including some serious playing in the sand dunes!
9.2l/100km is equiv to 10.87 km/l. Formula is: litres used/km travelled x 100 = l/100km
Vote:September 20th, 2008 at 12:18 am
@ AeroKits & trent kempster. I bought a BT-50 about 7 months ago. my fuel consumption was a nightmare. I got 6.8km/L in town and 4km/L on the highway!!!!! (Thats about 480 km on a 70 liter tank in town and about 280 km on the highway driving about 160km/h). So thats 13.5L/100km town an 23.2L/100km highway. Mazda SA sed my BT-50 was in spec? thats one hell of a spec don’t you think?
Vote:September 20th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Its a 3L diesel CRDI singel cab
Vote:September 20th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Gabriel – I have just returned from a 1200km trip to central west qld towing the camper – worst consumption just over 12l/100km. SDX dual cab has close to 40,000k’s up now and I have had no worries with it other than crap tyres fitted as standard. If I were you I would either get fair up Mazda or check your handbrake isn’t on!
Vote:September 25th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Ive got a b2600 freestyle 2005 4 cyl, bought at 29000km. Its my baby and i smother it. Only done 10000km in 18months. ive put it on lpg as all my other cars over the last 23 years no probs. You guys think you have consumption probs, its a 54ltr usable, and despite gently accelerating and good maintenance, im getting 20LT PER 100km on gas…Pathetic…the worst was towing a 4.5m tinny.On highway cycle it was even worse, gently cruising but taking into account extra weight etc.. i only managed 25LT per 100 km !!! Based on formula of mileage = consumption divided by distance..cleaned O2 sensor, vehicle tuned and maintained…Thats worse than my old babied 10yo triton that got me better mileage.No one can help Whilst i accept diesel/unleaded are different fuels and gas has a lesser tolerance in consumption, im still disappointed… Any ideas…thanks
Vote:September 25th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
The reason i left my message re the Freestyle 4 cyl was that i was thinking about getting a bt50, as i am a tall boy and would like the extra little room and grunt to tow occasionally without straining…But reading the comments re the above bt50’s im thinking twice…I absolutely love the suicide doors, which lets me get in the back seat and put in things and carry kids without squeezing behind the seats like the other rodeos and others.. This was a deciding factor but like some cars you take more of the plusses and perhaps tolerate some of the smaller negatives..thanks again
Vote:September 25th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
@ Johnny B.
handbrake is never on (hahaha). Luckily my car was stolen a month ago. I’m once again going to buy a BT-50. ( I love the way it drives :) ) Most people i spoke to about fuel consumption sed they got between 12 and 14 km on a liter. so my car was a dud???
Vote:October 24th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
My BT-50 is 11 months old. I have just driven from most easterly point to most westerly point of Oz via Simpson desert, Gary junction rd, Exmouth, Carnarvon Gunbarrell & Plenty H’ways, 14770kms & averaged 12.09 litres /100kms carrying a well back camper weighing 850kgs.
Vote:But on arrival home I discovered a cracked chassis. Mazda Australia consulted Japan who have refused any claim on warranty because I fitted air bag assist springs to stop the tail sagging under the load. My previous Bravo had the same air bags & load for 55000kms with no problems. BT-50 has 120mm longer rear springs!! funny coincidence that the chassis should fail?? I have heard Bravos had this problem. Anyone else know of same problem?
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Just bought a BT-50 08 single cab model second hand at 6000km and can’t get any better then 10.3l/100km, only done 8000 kay so i hope the 10000 service will maybe help that out. Anyone else out there with a bt had fuel consumption lose coming up to 10000 service,hopeing that’s all it is.
Vote:January 18th, 2009 at 2:05 am
Would anyone be able to tell me whay oil do i put in the gearbox of my mazda BT 50 ute, is it TFC450 or something else. thanks.
Vote:February 13th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
I have a BT-50. Its fuel consumption is rubbish. I traded a Nissan Patrol with a 4.2 diesel, which had none of the fancy engine management, and weighed half a tonne more. It got the same fuel figures, in fact slightly better. Driven like a granny, the mazda can’t get 11k/l at 90kph, empty.
Vote:Dealer thinks up all sorts of ingenious excuses to do nothing.
Even tried to tell me it wouldn’t be run in until 100,000km!!
Thinking Mazda: don’t bother.
The service has been lousy.
February 13th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Does anybody know of a site where we can get a serious review of the fuel consumption of cars [BT-50] tested in the real world?
Vote:I’d just like to know what normal people can expect for fuel consumption driving an unloaded BT-50 on the highway at 100kph.
Everyone [where is RACV when you need them?] seems to want to keep this information secret, when it’s really the only thing that we all want to know !
February 15th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Hey Paddy,
Vote:I bought a BT50 19months ago new(duel cab diesel 3L)around town with tools in the back get 10L p100km then twice a year i go on a trip (bout 5000k round trip) towing an offroad camper and average about 11.5L p100km also with abit of beach n bush driving thrown in. Did take about 10-15,000km for the economy to even out.Have thrown standard shocks for good after market and ride is less like a wet sponge(that was at 10,000k) Now 40,000km on the clock and runs well. Yes mazda service sucks.Glad it doesnt say the same for the vehicles. Have a read of 4wd action they have been doing up a BT 50 as a tourer and camera support truck.
Also look on there website they do have realworld tests on economy on different trucks.
March 8th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I have a 2008 3 litre SDX dual cab with 28000 kms. The fuel consumption is excellent. I regularly get 800-850 kms per tank. I did a trip across Australia from Perth to Brisbane, towing a camper trailer with heaps of gear in the tub and generally got around 700 km per tank. I have noticed that the consumption can vary depending on where you get your fuel. In addition, the speedo is way out. When I am doing 100km/hr on the speedo the GPS indicates around 90km/hr. I’m wondering if this means the trip meter is out and mileage is not as good as I think? The standard suspension is crap and has already sagged considerably (the car has copped a bit of a flogging though). Has anyone fitted aftermarket suspension that they can recommend?
Vote:April 4th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
To everyone here:
There is one word to describe the Mazda BT-50: inconsistent…….
I bought a new BT-50 and got about 9L/100km on highway (At 160km/H) and about 11L/100km in town….
Please see previous comment: September 20th, 2008
Vote:April 27th, 2009 at 3:19 am
Gear change from 1st to 2nd on my bt50 hard. Ihave a 2007 4×4 model double cab.
Vote: