2022 Mazda BT-50 range revealed

An updated 2022 Mazda BT-50 range has been announced ahead of first local deliveries in January and the headline changes are a new SP variant and a downsized 1.9-litre diesel engine.

Also joining the range will be a new Lane Support System button, which “following customer feedback” will allow drivers to disable the standard Lane Support systems when required.

Mazda says dealer and customer feedback has also led to black rear bumpers replacing the body-colour units fitted to all cab/chassis models.

Pricing is yet to be revealed for the 2022 Mazda BT-50 line-up – the first update for Mazda’s latest Isuzu D-MAX-based ute range since it was launched in September 2020 – but is likely to increase.

However, waiting lists for the BT-50 are expected to shorten after Mazda receives additional supplies from November production following the model’s second-best monthly sales result ever in July.

“As we move towards the brand-new BT-50’s second year, we are already focused on evolving the product and offering wider customer choice, which is a hallmark of our business,” said Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi.

“The new Mazda BT-50 SP model brings a strong, sporty aesthetic with impressive equipment levels, while the new 1.9-litre turbo-diesel drivetrain delivers a highly capable entry point into the BT-50 model range.

“Brand-new Mazda BT-50 has performed strongly in 2021, with July recording the second-highest sales month in the nameplate’s history.

“July also saw the range surpass the total 2020 BT-50 sales figure. These impressive results have enabled us to secure additional supply from November production.”

The new 2022 Mazda BT-50 SP will be positioned above the GT (currently priced at $56,990 plus on-road costs) in the dual-cab 4x4 range, but below the top-shelf Thunder flagship ($65,990 plus ORCs), which will continue on sale.

The factory-built SP will be pitched as a sportier alternative to the ‘luxury’ GT, which already features items like heated front seats and an auto-dimming interior mirror, and will also be powered by a 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel with the choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Additional features for the SP over the GT will include:

At the other end of the 2022 Mazda BT-50 range will be the new entry-level XS variant powered by the same new 110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel that will also open the 2022 Isuzu D-MAX range from early next year.

If the BT-50’s sister model is any guide, the downsized diesel variant – which is matched exclusively to a six-speed automatic – will be priced $2000 lower than the existing entry-level 3.0-litre Mazda BT-50 XT 4x2 single-cab/chassis auto (which currently opens the range at $36,550 plus ORCs), as well as the XT 4x2 dual-cab auto ($44,090) and the XT 4x4 dual-cab auto ($49,360).

All three new XS variants will tow up to three tonnes and ride on 17-inch steel wheels (rather than alloys as with the XT).

Otherwise, standard equipment for the XS is as per the XT, as follows:

Finally, a new cab/chassis version of the volume-selling XTR dual-cab will also join the 2022 Mazda BT-50 range.

Offered exclusively with an automatic transmission, it will be powered by the same 3.0-litre turbo-diesel as the rest of the BT-50 range (except the new base XS) and fitted as standard with the following features in addition to the XT:

For reference, the high-grade Mazda BT-50 GT dual-cab 4x4 pick-up continues to add the following standard features (in addition to the XTR’s specs):

And the flagship Australia-exclusive Mazda BT-50 Thunder dual-cab 4x4 pick-up will continue to top the range with the following additional features:

Exterior paint colours for the MY22 BT-50 will include Ice White, True Black Mica, Ingot Silver Metallic, Concrete Grey Mica, Gun Blue Mica, Rock Grey Mica and Red Volcano Mica.

And while black interior cloth trim continues in XS, XT and XTR variants, and brown leather in the GT and Thunder, the new SP will come with Driftwood leather and cloth trim.