2007 Mazda BT-50 Reviews

Mazda shunned the notion that a ute had to look like a car to appeal to recreational users who were buying one-tonne utes like the BT-50 in increasing numbers for their weekend getaways.The company believed a ute should still look tough and purposeful, and held true to that belief when designing the replacement for the old B-Series.Beneath the tough exterior, however, Mazda worked hard to ensure the BT-50 had a measure of the 'Zoom-Zoom' that proved so successful in reviving the image of its passenger cars.MODEL WATCHThe BT-50 was an all-new model with barely anything carried over from the outgoing B Series.  The model range consisted of 4x2 and 4x4 models, with three body styles - single cab-chassis, Freestyle extended cab and dual-cab utility - and three levels of equipment, the base model DX, the DX+ and the range-topping SDX.It had a strong, purposeful look that gave it a solid, substantial image, the result of raising the belt line 30 mm and the sides of the cargo bed by 60 mm.  The cabin was generally a pleasant place to be, the only criticism was that it lacked elbowroom compared to most of its rivals, all of which had grown larger with the changeover to the new generations models, of which the BT-50 was one.Mazda offered two diesel engines depending on the model. The entry-  level two-wheel drive single cab-chassis had a 2.5-litre common rail double overhead camshaft four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that produced 105 kW at 3500 revs and 330 Nm at 1800 revs.All other models were powered by a 3.0-litre common rail double overhead camshaft four-cylinder intercooled turbo diesel.  When on song the 3.0-litre developed 115 kW at 3200 revs and 380 Nm at 1800 revs, up by 33 kW and 109 Nm from the engine in the outgoing model.Most models had a new five-speed manual gearbox, but there was also the option of a five-speed auto in the range topping SDX Dual Cab.  The BT-50 was built in both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive forms, the latter utilising a dual range transfer case and limited-slip rear diff.On manual models the transfer case shift was manual, and they had remote free-wheel hub lock mechanisms, while those with auto transmissions had an electric shift allowing "on the fly" shifting between two and four-wheel drive.  Underneath, the BT-50 sat on a beefed-up ladder frame chassis.Larger front and rear shocks, and longer rear leaf springs improved the ride without affecting the BT-50's capacity for work.  Mazda chose to stick with nut-and-ball steering instead of following the trend to rack-and-pinion; the result was a rather large 12-metre turning circle.Brakes were a mix of disc front and drum rear, but with improved pedal feel and braking efficiency. ABS antilock brakes and Electronic Brake Force Distribution were available on all but the entry 4x2 single cab-chassis model.The BT-50 would carry a payload of up 1430 kg, 59 kg more than the old B Series, and would tow up to 2500 kg (braked), up from the 1800 kg of the B Series.IN THE SHOP The BT-50 causes few concerns for owners, the only complaints that have come to Cars Guide relate to the fuel consumption and clutch life.Generally used to tow caravans or heavy trailers, and often using four-wheel drive, both are issues that all one-tonners can suffer from. The fuel consumption tends to be higher than new, first time owners expect.  Many first time owners also ask a lot of their one-tonners by expecting them to tow heavy loads.If planning to use a BT-50 as a tow vehicle hauling a caravan or the like consult a towing specialist for advice on set-up, particularly if the vehicle is equipped with auto transmission.  Also consider having the auto serviced before leaving on a long trip with a load on the back.Make the usual checks for regular servicing; oil changes are critical for a long engine life.  Look for evidence of a hard life, towing, off-road or on a worksite.IN A CRASHDual front airbags and seat belt pretensioners were standard across the range.  ANCAP gave the BT-50 three stars when it was tested.UNDER THE PUMPMazda claimed the 2.5-litre models would sip fuel at the rate of 8.3 L/100 km, they also claimed the 3.0-litre models would average 9.2-10.4 L/100 km.  When tested by Cars Guide the 3.0-litre manual dual-cab ute returned an impressive 8.8 L/100 km average in a mix of city and country driving.OWNERS SAYSome owners have complained about the fuel consumption of the BT-50, but Mike Bradshaw told Cars Guide that he got an average of 10.0 L/  100 km from his 2009 model on a four-month long trip through the WA and the Northern Territory. Mike said that it was loaded to 2.6-  tonne, using four-wheel drive, and with the air-conditioning on.Frank Murray has done 21,000 km in his 2008 3.0-litre BT-50 and they have been trouble free, but he is concerned about the clutch life of the BT-50 after hearing stories of others having clutch issues. One owner, he said, was on his third clutch in 50,000 km, and another had to replace one at 40,000 km.LOOK FORTough truck looksImproved refinementSkinny cabinDiesel economyTowing performanceTHE BOTTOM LINEPerforms well, is comfortable, quiet and economical, but a little narrow in the cab. 82/100

Smarter than ever, with more comfort and convenience, the new mob of dual cabs are finding ground as family wagon and family four-wheel drive substitutes. Today's four-door utes are just as handy for camping trips as for day-to-day load carrying and highway hauls.And without the garish 4 x 4 decal down the tail of this top-of-the-tree Mazda BT-50 SDX, not many would understand this handsome little bloke has decent four-wheel drive ability — along with that load carrying ability and passenger-carrying comforts.This latest crop, at least in the higher specs, look like a fancy (albeit practical) ute without attracting the attention of the anti-4WD brigade.This 2007 Mazda range is not all-new, unlike HiLux, Navara and Triton rivals. Rather the BT-50 is a big revamp of the B-Series range, using the same chassis and reworked body.All new this time around are engines, transmissions and styling which is good and not-so-good.The good includes the 3-litre turbo diesel engine, producing 115kW and 380Nm of torque from a low 1800rpm. Steering, ride and handling are better. Payloads are up. And the reworked cabin is brighter.But where the rivals have all-new, bigger and wider bodies, Mazda's revamp leaves a smaller, more confined cabin.There is not the shoulder room across the front, there is not the shoulder nor leg room in rear for five adults; compared with the HiLux, Triton or Navara. And the attempt to give the styleside tray a little more styling bulk looks a little tacked-on.Yet the Mazda is not out of the game. It has one of the biggest of dual cab styleside trays, the pricing is right, the build is good and the BT-50 a more refined machine than its predecessor. This Mazda is again an honest machine, this time with fresh appeal.The restyle cannot disguise the old cabin size but there is a fair job of making the BT-50 look bigger and bolder. There is some extra chrome touches for door handles, mirrors and across the bigger grille.The best of the rework is inside. Here the Mazda folk have given the ute a car-like interior, bright and usable, with a two-tone colour scheme and silver-finish accents the highlights.A modular audio unit, with all the bells and whistles on the SDX model, sits pretty in the centre of the dashboard. It adds to the more modern airs of the BT-50. There are dual airbags, more storage spots plus electrics for mirrors and windows.Front seats are comfortable, if perhaps a little high for some drivers.It is a quiet cabin, much more refined and, while there remains a deal of sensible plastic, much more car-like.But there remains that under-dash handbrake lever, awkward for many in town or country. Centre-mounted handbrake levers are that much easier to use when halfway up, or down, a steep slope — especially on a dirt track.The rest of it works very well, easy and firm controls, all very sensible. The new instrumentation panel is pretty flash.The new diesel is a charmer from the get-go, sounds straight up as if it wants to work until the cows come home.It is quiet and, once off the line, quite quick. Best of all is this motor's flexibility, whether heading up the highway or across the paddock.Slotted into fifth, it cruises at 100km/h for a lazy 2000rpm.From here the Mazda is happy to drop back to 80km/h without stress and then accelerate past the 110 km/h mark without a complaint or gear change.All this town and highway work, over 500km, for 8.5 litres per 100km which bettered the factory figures of 9.2 litres per 100km.And later, across the creeks and the paddocks, the BT-50 shows it is a fair farm truck. Here it crawls with the best of them and has decent clearance and visibility for four-wheel drive work.First-low is OK for the slow work; this manual version has the traditional stick for shifting from two to four-wheel drive.The Mazda handles the big off-road holes and bumps with comfort although dirt road ride can be a bit lumpy — and there's a little forward-aft pitch — when there's no load out back.While out back, there are just the four tie-down hooks in the tray and a decent load area coming in at 1530mm long and 1456mm wide.The Mazda dual cab handles, steers and brakes pretty well for a ute although those all-new rivals (HiLux, Triton and Navara) with wider tracks and long wheelbases may offer a touch more in driving dynamics.And others may offer more in bits and pieces — such as Nissan's six-speed manual or rear power window on the Triton.But the Mazda stands up for itself with keen pricing across the range.The Mazda BT-50 is an honest worker with enough charm and capability to suit family or farmer.