Let’s be honest, the previous generation of the BT-50 was a visual disaster. It looked as though Mazda had slapped the front of a CX-9 on a ute body. Fast forward to the latest generation, tested here in SP trim, and it’s a completely different story.
Priced at $71,500 before on-road costs, the design is a stunning blend of ruggedness and beauty, particularly with the optional bull bar, which, while adding just under $4,000 to the price, comes with Mazda’s 5-year warranty that also covers any optioned accessories.
For the first time, the BT-50 showcases a unique look that sets it apart from the rest of the Mazda line-up, while still retaining familiar cues. The iconic nose is still present, but it’s enhanced by a striking diamond-pattern grille in gloss black.
The LED headlights are some of the best-looking in the ute segment, adding to its striking appearance. Continuing the theme, this SP variant features door handles, mirrors, roof rails, and sculpted wheel arches in gloss black.
The BT-50 logo is embossed on the sail plane. It creates a striking contrast with its Red Earth metallic body paint. To enhance its rugged appeal, the BT-50 is equipped with side steps in hard plastic.
As for the rear, it’s pretty standard fare, as most utes tend to look similar from the back, with only minor variations in tail light design and the tailgate. It’s reasonably attractive and is not dissimilar to the rear of its D-MAX sibling.
While the tailgate not being part of the central locking system is a little bit of a letdown, the roller shutter tonneau cover adds a nice touch. The tub itself boasts a length of 1571mm, a width of 1530mm, and a depth just under 500mm.
It’s all lined with a durable hard plastic shell. With a payload capacity of 924kg and a braked towing capacity of 3500kg, it delivers solid performance. Its off road capability is decent too. Our test vehicle featured some optional towing accessories.
Ground clearance sits at 240mm, alongside a 27-degree approach angle, a 17.9-degree departure angle, and a wading depth of 800mm. You also have the option of 2H, 4H, and 4L modes, along with a rear locking differential.
In addition, there’s an advanced hill descent control feature, and an exceptional traction management system known as Rough Terrain mode, as well as Isuzu’s tyre pressure monitoring system that helps you re-inflate when you need to.
As you step inside the BT-50 SP, you’ll immediately notice the perfect blend of rugged durability and refined elegance. While some areas of the interior feature tough hard plastics, others are adorned with luxurious leather accents.
The combination creates a space that’s both resilient and sophisticated. This thoughtful balance ensures the interior can withstand the test of time, much like the robust engine that powers it (more on that in a moment).
The cabin features physical toggle switches for the dual climate controls and knobs for tuning and volume, marking a welcome upgrade from the previous generation’s haptic feedback system.
You’ll find leather where it matters most, the front of the dashboard, parts of the door cards, and areas where your knees meet the centre console, creating an inviting and premium experience.
The leather trim, accented with terracotta stitching, matches with the striking black and terracotta ‘Maztex’ and suede seats, which aren’t just visually appealing but also incredibly comfortable.
In terms of technology, the vehicle features a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although wireless charging is an optional add-on.
The infotainment system is user-friendly, boasting clear graphics and a responsive interface. For the driver, there’s a semi-digital display that incorporates a 7.0-inch screen, providing essential driving data. It’s flanked by two analog dials.
The impressive sport seats feature heating for added comfort, and the driver’s seat is equipped with electronic adjustments. The passenger seat relies on manual controls. On the storage front, you’ll find ample space, with generous door bins.
There are two cupholders, a well-sized centre compartment, a ceiling-mounted sunglasses holder, a small storage space to the right of the driver, and a two-tier glove box for extra convenience.
For connectivity, there are two USB-C ports and a 12-volt socket conveniently located just below the climate controls. While rear passenger comfort often takes a backseat in most utes, the SP version, actually offers a surprisingly decent experience.
Headroom is adequate, and there’s ample knee and toe room even with the driver’s seat quite far back. The rear seats feature mat pockets, two air vents on the back of the centre console, a USB-C port, and a small storage pocket.
Additionally, a hook is available on the back of the front passenger seat, and two cupholders are integrated into the centre armrest. Storage options include spacious door bins and additional space beneath the seats.
For families, there are ISOFIX anchor points on both outboard seats, as well as top tethers. There’s an array of safety tech, including autonomous emergency braking (which we found to be incredibly cautious in its often unnecessary activation).
You’ll also find adaptive cruise control with stop and go , blind spot and driver attention monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic assist, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. The latter is a little average.
Traffic sign recognition, trailer sway control and turn assist all feature. Living with the 2025 Mazda BT-50 SP is a surprisingly pleasant experience. Its manageable size makes city parking hassle free, and excellent visibility enhances confidence while driving around town.
With supportive and plush seating, it offers a comfortable ride, particularly in urban settings. The suspension can get a bit bouncy on undulating open roads, meaning it would clearly benefit from some weight in the tray.
When it comes to fuel economy, the BT-50 performs decently, with a claimed 8.0-litres/100km. In real world testing, with the added weight of the optional bull bar, we saw 9.1-litres/100km.
Under the hood, the BT-50 is powered by a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine. It produces 140kW and 450Nm, and is coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. It’s a straightforward and dependable setup.
Despite its strengths, the transmission feels a bit sluggish. It lacks the responsiveness one might expect, and while there is a tiptronic mode to manually change gears, it doesn’t do quick acceleration well.
That aside, the 2025 BT-50 SP is arguably the most attractive ute available today, even surpassing the Isuzu D-MAX it shares its platform with. You can find out more on the Mazda Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership.
To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by Mazda Australia for independent review purposes.
