BT-50: Pricing announced

Mazda Australia's product pricing department's been burning the midnight oil – and, it appears, negotiating hard. Two days after introducing its impressive new BT-50 to local media, the company has finally released pricing for the new one-tonne range. The good news is, it’s been worth the wait.

Citing last minute negotiations with Mazda Japan for the delay, the release of pricing of mid to top-range variants suggest the feature-packed BT-50 could offer one of the best value for money ute deals on the Australian market today, although we’re yet to make a detailed, feature-by-feature comparison with its rivals.

Mazda Australia certainly thinks it’s offering some game-changing deals, claiming the “feature-packed all-new BT-50 comes with extremely competitive pricing”.

“Value is the name of the game with each new model snaring a competitive price tag to match an extensive equipment list,” the company says.

Pricing has only been released for 4x2 and 4x4 Freestyle and dual cab variants, with announcements on lower-grade, entry-level single cab versions powered by the 2.2-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine expected closer to their launch early next year.

Announced pricing for the BT-50 range kicks off with the XT 4x4 Freestyle cab chassis with 3.2-litre turbodiesel and six-speed manual at $32,590 (MLP), and tops out at the leather-lined GT 4x4 Dual Cab with 3.2-litre turbo-diesel engine and six-speed auto at $52,710.

Mazda is yet to release pricing on its two sporty, off-road adventure pack options as outlined in our launch news story. The Boss Sports and Boss Adventure kits are available on XTR and GT dual cab 4x4 variants only. Expect the kits  to push the top-spec BT-50 into the mid to high-$50K region.

While BT-50 pricing (see below) is very competitive with its rivals, it perhaps more importantly, appears to stack up favourably with its twin-under-the-skin Ford Ranger, released last month. For example, the top-spec BT-50 GT 4x4 dual cab 3.2 auto, priced at $52,710, undercuts Ford’s similarly-specced Ranger XLT 4x4 dual cab pick-up 3.2 auto at $55,390.

Similarly, the Mazda XTR 4x4 Freestyle dual cab (manual only) at $46,810 appears to stack up well against Ford’s similarly positioned Ranger XLT super cab 4x4 pick-up 3.2 manual, at $50,890.

Mazda kicks off its four-door ute range with the BT-50 XT 4x2 Freestyle cab chassis manual at $32,590, whereas Ford’s cheapest four-door Ranger ute is the $33,240 XL super cab 4x2 cab-chassis Hi-Rider auto.

Like the Ranger, BT-50 variants are dripping with standard features, include air-conditioning, Bluetooth, cruise control, CD player with MP3 USB input, steering wheel mounted audio controls, trip computer and power windows and mirrors. New features available on the BT-50 range including satellite navigation, leather seats, auto-dimming rear view mirror, Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Hill Launch Assist (HLA).?

The BT-50 matches the Ranger as one of the safest utes in its class, with stability and traction control, antilock brakes, Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Roll Stability Control (RSC) fitted across the range.

Freestyle and dual cab BT-50s are also equipped with dual front, side and curtain airbags to ensure high levels of occupant protection.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…