Mazda BT-50

The interior cabin, like the exterior, does not manage to bring anything new and modern to the table. The overall layout of the dashboard as well as the center console looks pretty basic by today’s modern standards.

The steering wheel as well as the old school pod-like instrument console with analog dials is something which we don’t complain about much, given its overall simplistic appeal. However, what looks pretty dated is the center console design, which is almost drab with an after-market like touchscreen infotainment system as well as old school rotary dials for the automatic climate control. 

The Mazda BT-50’s double-cab design, however, impresses with more than enough room it packs in. Also, for an affordable pickup truck, the Mazda BT-50 packs in some decent kit like Android Auto and Apple Carplay, leather upholstery, and electrically adjustable and foldable outside rearview mirrors.

When the word Mazda strikes out to mind, the first thing we imagine is of cars with sleek and curvaceous designs bound to turn heads on the roads. The Mazda BT-50, with that respect, looks pretty staid and slightly basic in comparison. However, the heightened stance and large dimensions do manage to impart a strong road presence to it.

At the front, the Mazda BT-50 looks quite sleek when compared to usual pickup trucks, with a slightly sloping front end, which comprises of a wide trapezoidal front grille with tapering lower edges. While the central portion of the front grille is finished in black, the sides of this front grille are finished in chrome. The angular headlamps look quite good for the big-sized they are, however, they look pretty basic as they are devoid of LED elements.

The side profile of the Mazda BT-50 has a conventional design to it, with flared wheel arches over those big wheels giving it a good muscular stance. However, the rest of the design looks pretty basic, with negligible character lines as well as a simple design for the alloy wheels.

The Mazda BT-50 has got a big set of tail lamps at the back with angular sides, which stretches sideways, thus accentuating its width. The chrome bumpers do give it a premium and muscular stance at the same time. There is additional chrome on the rear boot lid, for the Mazda logo and the decklid handle.

Both the front as well as the rear of the Mazda BT-50 come fitted with an independent double-wishbone setup with rigid leaf springs, which do act perfectly in absorbing rough stuff with ease. However, the negative point of using leaf springs – stiff and bouncy ride quality – can be felt in the BT-50 too.

The Mazda BT-50 can be had with one of the two engine options. There is a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine available only with a rear-wheel-drive layout, which pumps out 150 PS of power and 375 Nm of torque. This engine is available with both 6-speed manual as well as 6-speed automatic gearboxes. Also on offer is a 3.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, which produces 200 PS of power and 470 Nm of torque, with a 6-speed automatic gearbox as well as four-wheel drivetrain offered as standard.

The Mazda BT-50 gets equipped with a sufficient list of safety features, including dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, dynamic stability control, reverse parking sensors and camera, hill descent control, and cruise control.

The Mazda BT-50 retains the old school charm of pickup trucks in almost every aspect – be its visual appeal in and out or the way it drives and its engines produce power. The pickup truck feels indestructible over rough tarmac, which fulfills the first pre-requisite of such lifestyle vehicles. However, we do wish that it was styled and equipped as generously as other Mazda vehicles.