Mazda BT-50 2.2 Dual Cab Chassis XS 4x4 2025 Review

There are four XS models in the new 2025 Mazda BT-50 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel line-up and here we’re testing the $53,120 (plus on-road costs) dual cab chassis 4x4. It’s forecast to be the most popular of them all, selling around 100 per month.

The other three models are the single cab chassis 4x2 ($37,900), the dual cab pick-up 4x2 ($46,710) and the 4x4 pick-up 4x4 ($54,720).

The old 1.9 departed as only an XS single cab chassis 4x2 priced at $36,400. The expansion of the 2.2 line-up reflects an increased Mazda push into the fleet market.

The BT-50 XS trim is restricted to the 2.2 diesel. So if you want the bigger 3.0-litre four-cylinder engine then you have to go to the XT, XTR, GT or SP trims.

Among its many rivals, our test vehicle lines up most closely against its non-identical twin the 2.2-litre Isuzu D-Max SX ($50,700), the 2.0-litre Ford Ranger XL ($49,230), the 3.0-litre Isuzu D-Max SX ($53,200), 2.2-litre Kia Tasman S ($48,240), 2.4-litre Mitsubishi Triton GLX+ ($52,490) and 2.8-litre Toyota HiLux SR auto ($50,695).

So apart from the 3.0-litre Isuzu, the Mazda is the most expensive model of that lot. And along with the 2.2-litre Isuzu, it’s at the bottom of the pile when it comes to power and torque.

Of course, you could also check out the new wave of utes from China, such as the GWM Cannon cab chassis that are cheaper again.

As per the recently updated Isuzu D-Max, the 2.2 BT-50 brings with it a 10kW power boost to 120kW and a 50Nm surge in torque to 400Nm.

An eight-speed Aisin automatic also replaces the old six-speed and with the help of idle-stop (also added to the otherwise unchanged 3.0), the entry-level BT-50 delivers a claimed cut in fuel economy. There is no manual gearbox option – that was deleted earlier in 2025.

In the single cab chassis 4x2 (the only direct comparison possible), combined economy drops from 8.0L/100km to 6.9L/100km. In our 4x4 test vehicle, the claim is 7.1L/100km.

Standard exterior XS dual cab chassis gear includes 17-inch steel wheels, LED headlights with auto high beam and body-colour wing mirrors. Our test vehicle came with the addition of a $3030 standard alloy tray and optional $695 metallic silver paint.

The tray is just a small part of an extensive accessories list for the BT-50 that includes a fleet pack with such features as a handbrake alarm and reversing buzzer.

Inside, standard XS dual cab chassis equipment includes black cloth seat trim, manual air-conditioning, power windows, vinyl floor covering, analogue instrumentation and an eight-inch touchscreen with wireless and cabled Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There are USB-A and USB-C charging points, AM/FM and digital radio bands and six-speaker audio.

Given its fleet focus, it’s no surprise the XS does well for safety equipment. A suite of driver assist systems are led by autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control with stop and go.

The XS will monitor lane keeping, blind spot and what’s happening behind you, even braking for crossing rear traffic, which is a useful addition. As per usual, the cab chassis misses out on rear parking sensors but there is a reversing camera.

The airbag tally includes front, side, curtain, driver knee and front passenger centre. While BT-50 gets a five-star ANCAP (2023) rating, that applies to the 1.9 and 3.0 engines. ANCAP is understood to be weighing up fresh data on the updated 2.2-litre models.

The new BT-50 2.2-litre line-up is protected by the same five-year/unlimited km warranty as the rest of the range.

Service intervals are 12 months/15,000km and over the first five workshop visits, it all adds up to $2302 for 4x4 models. That averages out at $460.40 per visit.

The new engine fitted to the BT-50 XS range is undoubtedly a step forward from the old 1.9-litre unit, with which it is closely related.

Let’s be clear, it’s a step not a leap. It still accelerates at a leisurely pace and it certainly generates plenty of guttural noise while doing it.

But it is responding that bit harder and once up and settled on a cruising speed it slips into the background, sitting at about 1600rpm at 100km/h.

The eight-speed auto is pretty smooth too, avoiding the jumbled, machine gun changes the 10-speed auto in the Ford Ranger can offer. Manual changing is via the gear selector and it’s quite prompt.

The idle-stop system can be switched off and plenty of people probably will. It doesn’t help the initial hesitation when accelerating from standstill.

That makes you just that bit more cautious when trying to insert into busy traffic, say at a roundabout.

And so to fuel economy. On test, on-road, mostly cruising two-up with no load, the number on the trip computer was coming in around 8-9L/100km. But we need to do more testing in more varied conditions and with a load to deliver a number that’s bankable.

The driving behaviour of our test model remains as per current generation BT-50. On-road it’s a bit heavy in the steering and a bit busy in its leaf spring/live axle-supported rear-end without a load in the back.

But overall, the steering, ride and somewhat ponderous handling slots in competitively with the bulk of utes squabbling behind the class-leading drives in the category, the Ranger and Tasman.

On gravel it feels settled and composed, while off-road (we’re basing our assessment on a recent drive of the Isuzu D-Max non-identical twin), the BT-50 is among the top few.

Its combination of ladder frame, high and low range gearing, rear diff lock, off-road crawl control and downhill ascent control all help out with travel in the rougher stuff.

Of course, being a fleet-oriented model the XS has to do the basic carrying and hauling stuff competitively.

The payloads for all four XS models are over 1100kg (with standard tray taken into account for the cab chassis models).

Our test vehicle is rated at 1259kg absolute maximum payload and 1134kg with the tray fitted. These are competitive numbers. The Ranger equivalent claims 1247kg/1211kg.

Also, braked towing capacity has been bumped from the 1.9’s 3000kg to 3500kg. Do the sums and our test vehicle has 534kg payload left for you to exploit when towing at max capacity with the standard Mazda alloy tray fitted.

The cabin of the 2025 Mazda BT-50 XS line-up is well off the pace of the best interiors in the ute world.

The rear seat first. To jump in here is to experience where this type of vehicle has traditionally been.

Entry and exit is via small doors, the backrest is upright and so are knees thanks to the high floor. Space to the front-seat backrest for taller people isn’t that great either.

Up-front it’s more about the underwhelming presentation of technology, most notably the basic infotainment touchscreen with miniaturised graphics and fuzzy resolution.

Look, there are good bits here too. The analogue instrument meters work just fine thanks. Front seats are large and comfy and rear-seat passengers get adjustable rear air-con outlets and USB points.

There are also plenty of storage options front and rear including a double glovebox and bins under the rear seat-base.

But if you jump out of this vehicle into a Tasman, Shark 6 or Ranger, you’ll appreciate that the BT-50’s cabin design is a little dated.

Also, there is no power seat adjustment or embedded satellite navigation in this vehicle, which seems stingy at this price.

There are no rear disc brakes on any BT-50 and that seems overdue for correction.

It’s safe to say the 2.2-litre engine in the 2025 BT-50 XS dual cab chassis 4x4 delivers an improvement over the 1.9.

It’s that bit stronger and that bit thriftier. The rest of the vehicle is very recognisable, even if this specific model is a first.

Essentially you get a solid Isuzu build and driving experience rebadged as a Mazda. That’s reassuring for a lot of people. Nope, this is not a cutting-edge vehicle but when you’re buying in this space that’s not the top requirement.

It’s all about reliability, capability and price.

Speaking of the latter, as the 2025 BT-50 XS line-up of 2.2-litre models is a fleet vehicle, its level of attraction against a bevy of rivals essentially depends on what price you end up negotiating with your local Mazda dealer.

Good shopping!

2025 Mazda BT-50 2.2 Dual Cab Chassis XS 4x4 at a glance:
Price: $53,120 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 120kW/400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 188g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: N/A

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