Mazda BT-50 2018 pricing and specs confirmed

Mazda Australia has rolled out its second BT-50 facelift, with the pick-up range now sporting fresh front-end styling that was designed in Australia for the local market only, as well as added equipment and new drive-away pricing. 

The updated range checks in at $28,990 drive-away for the entry-level 4x2 XT single-cab chassis, with the list price tag changing from $24,570 plus on-road costs in the outgoing version.

The XTR Hi-Rider, which is the top-spec 4x2 variant, has also been reduced from $44,490 plus on-roads to $41,990 drive-away.

Dual-cab variants are expected to make up nearly 60 per cent of sales, with the 4x4 driveline to take up nearly two-thirds of total sales. 

Mazda is targeting 15,000 sales of the BT-50 per year, up from 14,119 in 2017.

Exterior styling changes are conservative, with the Mazda design team employing a boxier front bumper design with new foglight surrounds.

The bumper is painted a grained black on entry-level XT variants, with higher-spec XTR and GT models distinguished by extra grey accents.

Completing the nip and tuck is a new grille that features horizontal stripes finished in chrome on the XTR and GT, and black on the base XT variants.

The flagship GT has been treated to new equipment around the tub including a chrome sports bar with an integrated stop light, a heavy-duty tub liner, tailgate central locking and a single 12-volt auxiliary socket and light.

The XT on the other hand, gains a reversing camera and a 7.0-inch Alpine multimedia system as standard. It will also be the first Mazda model to be offered in Australia with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The new BT-50 carries over its mechanical components, with the same 110kW/375Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder and 147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel engines on offer, matched up to either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

Across the range, the BT-50 comes standard with six airbags, ABS brakes, dynamic stability control, emergency stop signal, hill launch assist, roll stability control, traction control and trailer sway control.

Service intervals have risen to 12 months/15,000km (up from 12 months/10,000km), which Mazda claims will save customers $854 in overall scheduling costs.

Were you hoping for more new features on the new Mazda BT-50? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.