2025 Mazda BT-50 ute unveiled

Facing a veritable cornucopia of new and refreshed pick-up truck rivals, Mazda has revealed the updated 2025 Mazda BT-50 ute dual cab.

Described as the largest of four updates since the third-generation Mazda BT-50 was introduced in 2020, there are only minor exterior cosmetic changes.

The BT-50 also picks up new and upgraded equipment and technology inside the cabin that was added earlier this year to the vehicle it is derived from, the Isuzu D-Max.

The announcement made no reference to any drivetrain changes for the BT-50 but given that the Isuzu D-Max donor car’s recent upgrades kept the specs of the two diesel engines it shares with the Mazda unchanged, expect the facelifted ute to follow suit.

Australian pricing and specification details won’t be revealed for BT-50 until early 2025, ahead of the new model’s launch in the first quarter of 2025, sometime in January, February or March.

The question will be whether this package is enough to keep the BT-50 prominent in the minds of ute buyers.

Its sales in the lucrative 4x4 segment are down 14.8 per cent this year in a segment that is up by 7.1 per cent overall.

The Mazda BT-50 ute will soon have to face up to new metal (and very new powertrains) in the form of the BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger and GWM Cannon Alpha plug-in hybrid utes, as well as the new Chinese brand Foton by mid-2025.

More seismically, a new Toyota HiLux is expected in 2025 along with the Kia Tasman and the next-gen Nissan Navara in 2026.

To say the ute segment is hotting up would be an understatement of tectonic proportions.

New tech for the BT-50 includes front stereo (dual) cameras that double the vehicle’s field of view. New safety features include traffic jam assist, rear cross traffic brake and intelligent adaptive cruise control.

Exterior BT-50 changes include new LED headlamps, radiator grille and bumper, the latter adding air curtains designed to increase aerodynamic efficiency and enhance real-world fuel use.

The only sheetmetal change is at the rear where the tailgate now integrates a ridged design along the bottom edge of the panel. It is sandwiched by a new LED tail-light design.

There are also new alloy wheel designs and a new hero colour – Red Earth Metallic.

Inside, there is a new infotainment system that now integrates touch switches below the display which now measures up to 9.0-inches across.

Physical volume and tuning dials are now included either side of the screen.

A user-customisable 7.0-inch digital driver’s display with added content now spans the instrument panel. USB-C sockets are now standard along with wireless Android Auto.

There have also been minor trim changes.

A new range of accessories will accompany the updated BT-50’s launch.

Stay tuned for more details and our first look video in the coming weeks.

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