Mazda BT-50 News

Mazda has announced a bigger 2.2-litre engine as part of its 2026 BT-50 range with pricing starting at $37,900.

Isuzu has already revealed plans to launch an electric version of its D-Max ute in Australia in 2026, but Mazda has confirmed it won’t follow suit just yet.

Mazda won’t go on a Raptor hunt.The Japanese brand recently revealed its updated BT-50 range and noticeably absent was its previous Ranger Raptor competitor, the flagship Thunder or SP Pro special editions. Instead, Mazda Australia has introduced a wide range of genuine, dealer-fit accessories for off-roading that customers can add directly at purchase. These include an integrated bull bar, roof platform, Light Force spot lights, dual battery set-up and more. It is also packaging some of these accessories up to make it easier for buyers to customise their ute for off-road adventures without going to the aftermarket.Still, the launch of the new BT-50 range with the SP model as the flagship does leave the brand lagging behind the likes of the Ford Ranger Raptor, Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior and the new Isuzu D-Max Blade - which shares its underpinnings with the BT-50.Mazda Australia managing director, Vinesh Bhindi, defended the decision not to introduce a new ‘hero model’ and instead focus on individual customisation for buyers.“I know others are calling it different names, but it's more of a cosmetic treatment, right?” Bhindi said. “So it's not a performance package, and we think  it's better to give our customers choices with a larger variety of accessories, which they can create their own customisation. “So in the previous model, we've had Thunder, Thunder Pro, SP Pro, those things are where we will go, rather than a third party.”Notably in that comment, he didn’t rule out bringing back a special name for a future hero BT-50, so the door remains open for Mazda to offer a more direct Raptor/Warrior/Blade rival in the future.“At some point we will consider it,” Bhindi admitted. “So at the moment, SP is our hero, with the latest one, and it's got a  lot of new cosmetic changes to it so that's our starting point, and at some point we will consider Thunder or SP Pro, but all those accessories, all those items are available via the accessory catalog anyway from day one.” Mazda Australia introduced the original BT-50 Thunder in 2022, two years after the latest generation of the ute launched, and then added the Thunder Pro in 2024 as part of the run-out plan ahead of this new facelifted model.

Utes are Australia’s most popular type of vehicle, but which models offer the best resale value when the time comes to selling them? CarsGuide’s analytics team crunched the numbers so that we could bring you this exclusive report. 

Mazda has given its BT-50 workhorse a major upgrade.The BT-50 is a twin under the skin with the Isuzu D-Max but has Mazda’s very distinctive design language applied.New styling toughens up the BT-50’s appeal. It has a new bumper, grille, larger Mazda badge and new-look LED lights.These changes are joined by fresh looking wheels, side body cladding and a re-worked rear end.The base XS grade arrives priced from $36,400 (before on-road costs), which is about $1000 more than the outgoing version.It is only available in a single cab chassis layout and is the only model in the line-up powered by a 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine that makes 110kW and 350Nm. This is paired with a six-speed automatic and two-wheel drive.Mazda has deleted manual transmissions from the BT-50 line-up.The XS comes with 17-inch steel wheels, cloth seats, an eight-inch multimedia touchscreen and safety tech such as auto emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert and a reversing camera.Next up is the XT grade, which is available in single cab, freestyle cab and dual-cab body styles.All XT variants are powered by the same 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine as before, which makes 140kW and 450Nm. This is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and buyers can choose between two- or four-wheel drive.The XT grade swaps out the steelies from the XS for alloy wheels of the same size. Four-wheel drive variants have a locking rear differential and rough terrain mode. Dual cab versions have rear aircon vents and pick-up shaped variants have tailgate assist and rear parking sensors.For a full list of prices for the XT, refer to the table below.Next up is the XTR grade that is only available in a dual-cab body with the choice of a cab chassis or pick-up rear. It uses the same 3.0-litre motor and is available with two- or four-wheel drive.It steps up its game with 18-inch alloy wheels, front LED fog lights, side steps, folding side mirrors, daytime running lights.Inside buyers can expect a nine-inch multimedia touchscreen, dual zone air conditioning, satnav, tyre pressure monitoring.Pick-up shaped XTRs have a tow bar and a tub liner.For a full list of XTR prices, see the table below.The GT grade is only available in four-wheel drive, and is available ith either a cab chassis or pick-up back end.It has heated exterior mirrors, leather wrapped seats that are power adjustable for the driver, both front seats have a heating function and there are front parking sensors and a remote engine starting function.The top-spec SP is only available as a pick-up shape with four-wheel drive.It has a range of exterior styling tweaks compared to the GT. These include 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels and gloss black highlights all over, a roller tonneau cover and synthetic leather and suede wrapped seats.Prices listed are before on-road costs

If you want a big beefy engine under the bonnet of your dual-cab, it might be now or never.

Mazda revealed a facelift BT-50 at the Thailand Motor Expo, but there’s a twist.

One of Mazda’s most important models is getting a major overhaul, as the BT-50 ute takes on a series of safety and design upgrades.

Mazda has teased a photo of the new BT-50 ahead of the updated model’s world premiere on October 18.

Mazda’s rugged BT-50 isn’t going to be a victim of the federal government’s new emissions regulations. Mazda Australia’s marketing boss Alastair Doak said the BT-50 will absolutely be part of the company’s future despite the spectre of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) looming over the industry.