Mazda BT-50

Mazda BT-50 at a glance

First generation (2006–2011): the Ranger twin

Mazda launched the BT-50 at the Bangkok International Motor Show on 22 March 2006. It was a twin of the Ford Ranger of the time and shared its 2.5- and 3.0-litre MZR-CD common-rail diesels. Both trucks were built in Thailand for the Thai and European markets. Further assembly took place in Pretoria, South Africa, in Colombia for Latin America and, from 2007 to 2010, in Zimbabwe.

In November 2006 a five-speed automatic with a Borg Warner transfer case and side airbags joined the range. A minor update with a revised interior followed in 2008, and in autumn 2008 the grille was redesigned. Latin American markets also received 2.2- and 2.6-litre petrol engines.

The European truck used about 8.9 l/100 km, held 70 litres of diesel and weighed about two tonnes. German buyers could choose the long cab or the double cab; the short cab was not offered there. In the 2008 ANCAP test, the DX dual cab 4x4 scored only 6.46 of 16 in the frontal offset test but scored full marks for side impact. Stability control was not available.

Second generation (2011–2020): co-developed with the T6

The second BT-50 was revealed in October 2010 and developed in tandem with the T6 Ranger. Mechanically the two are identical, but they share almost no body panels apart from the roof and the window glass. Production took place at Rayong in Thailand and at Silverton near Pretoria. Body styles were a two-door single cab, a Freestyle cab with rear-hinged back doors and a four-door double cab.

The Ranger platform allowed a braked towing capacity of 3,500 kg. A single cab tested by ANCAP in 2011 reached 15.72 of 16 points for the offset crash and a perfect side-impact score, with stability control fitted as standard. A cosmetic facelift for the 2016 model year was shown in July 2015, and an Australian update in 2018 added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Mazda did not offer this generation in Europe.

Third generation (since 2020): based on the Isuzu D-Max

Mazda unveiled the third BT-50 on 17 June 2020. Under a 2016 agreement Isuzu supplies the truck, which is heavily based on the third-generation D-Max. It is built alongside the D-Max at Isuzu's plant in Samrong, Samut Prakan, Thailand. An Isuzu executive said that Mazda had no part in the D-Max's development.

The 3.0-litre four-cylinder replaced the old 3.2-litre five-cylinder, with 7 kW less power and 450 Nm of torque compared with 470 Nm. A 1.9-litre entry engine arrived in Australia in November 2021 with the XS trim. Thai trucks use a six-speed Aisin manual, a six-speed Aisin automatic and, from 2024, an eight-speed automatic. CarsGuide lists a 2.2-litre diesel with the eight-speed automatic for the 2026 Australian XS models.

The 3.0 has 30 kW more than the 1.9 and 100 Nm more torque. The power converter gives these figures in PS and hp.

Every 2026 Australian BT-50 is rated to tow 3,500 kg braked, according to CarsGuide. Instead of a grille radar, adaptive cruise control uses two cameras behind the windscreen. Autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist and a centre airbag are available on selected trims.

In the 2020 ANCAP assessment, aligned with Euro NCAP, the BT-50 scored 83 % for adult occupants, 89 % for children, 67 % for pedestrian protection and 84 % for safety assistance. A 2022 update raised the adult score to 86 %. Its twin, the D-Max, was the first pickup to earn five stars under Euro NCAP's protocol.

Facelift and recent changes

Mazda presented a revised BT-50 on 18 October 2024. It went on sale in Thailand on 28 November 2024, in the Philippines on 23 April 2025 and in Malaysia on 5 November 2025. Changes include:

• new front and rear styling;
• a 7-inch digital instrument display and a 9-inch touchscreen;
• wireless Android Auto;
• front stereo cameras for the driver aids.

In March 2026 the Boss and Thunder versions joined the Australian range, both with the 3.0-litre diesel.

Sales and prices

Australian sales were far higher than Thai sales in every year shown. In January 2021 Thai prices for the 1.9 and 3.0 double cab ran from 771,000 to 1,153,000 baht, about €21,000–31,600 at 2021 rates.

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