Mazda BT-50 2016 Tow Test

Mazda BT-50 XTR
Tow Test

Mazda’s now four-year-old BT-50 is one of the most popular utes with grey nomads, and it’s easy to understand why. Effortless pulling power, stable platform and a comfy, relatively well-equipped interior make it a good choice for touring around this big country of ours. But does the latest facelift make it an even better option for caravanners and boaties?

Late last year Mazda snuck onto the Australian market an updated version of its BT-50 ute, but did anyone notice?

In what has to be one of the mildest makeovers in recent memory, the Ford Ranger twin got a few nip and tucks, mainly around the front and rear lights, to finally address the polarising smiley look that would have put off more than a few buyers since its launch in 2010.

Inside, the biggest change for mid-spec XTR and top-sepc GT variants was a new 7.8-inch colour touchscreen, bringing it up to speed with most of its rivals. However, instead of incorporating the reversing camera display in the main screen, Mazda took the less costly option of placing it in one half of the rear-view mirror. Better than nothing, as they say, but a bit cheap considering vehicles half its price are available with larger camera displays.

On a more positive note the changes were accompanied by minimal price rises, and the impressive mechanicals it shares with the more upmarket Ranger twin remain.

As a result, despite falling behind in the technology front the BT-50 deserves the mid-ranking it achieved in our most recent dual-cab ute comparison. As we discovered during that test, both the Ranger and BT-50 are equally impressive when it comes to towing, thanks to good stability and a very willing engine.

But of course, we already knew the BT-50 was a top tow tug, having used it to effortlessly haul a three tonne caravan over hilly terrain back in 2012. This time around, we hitched the same BT-50 XTR used in last year’s dual-cab ute comparison to a 2100kg caravan for the annual family summer holiday.

Not surprisingly, the BT-50 rarely skipped a beat, with the caravan well under the maximum 3500kg towing capacity of the Mazda. The weight on the tow ball (approximately 130kg) was also well under the 350kg allowed by Mazda and the full rig was as level as you’d hope without fitting a weight distribution hitch.

While we’re generally hesitant recommending any dual-cab ute for serious towing, if we had to make an exception it would be the BT-50/Ranger.

A key reason for this is a muscular engine made for heavy hauling, with plenty of low-down torque available from the gutsy 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel, matched to an excellent six-speed auto that rarely has to hunt for a gear.

From an important safety point of view when towing, there always seems to be extra grunt in reserve, to keep the pace up hills or simply accelerate away when required in an emergency situation.

Perhaps more so than the Ranger, the tauter suspension tune of the rear leaf-sprung BT-50 also lends itself to towing, with a surefootedness and stability rarely experienced when towing with other ‘one tonne’ dual-cab utes.

As a result, fuel efficiency on our mostly highway route was pretty good, with the average hovering between 14 and 15.5L/100km, depending on the top speed and amount of cross- or head winds present.

Even with well over four tonnes to motivate the BT-50’s engine remains relatively relaxed and refined under light acceleration. There’s rarely a need to rev over 2000rpm, and it cruises nicely at 1800rpm at freeway speeds.

Hitching up around two tonnes to the ball also settles down the ride, which feels a bit firmer than the Ranger’s particularly on rougher bitumen and dirt roads.

We’re big fans of the BT-50’s driver’s seating position for longer trips, despite limited steering wheel adjustment, and there were no complaints from the rear seats either.

However, for towing it’s a shame the side mirrors don't fold in when the vehicle is locked, so strap-on towing mirrors can remain on without the risk of getting pinched.

The touchscreen interface can also be unresponsive and fiddly at times, and more USB and 12-volt sockets would be good for recharging electronic devices on longer drives.

Despite being difficult to see, the rear camera display was still a useful aid for hitching up the caravan ‘solo’.

‘Our’ BT-50 was also fitted with optional nudge bar, driving lights and ladder racks, which added to its family-friendly appeal when the rear bars served as mobile gym equipment for the kids when parked up at the caravan park.

We also liked the soft matting on the base of the tub, stopping objects from sliding around without intruding into valuable cargo space. And with further tie-down points and support from the chunky sports bars, the tub easily swallowed four mountain bikes in the back along with a blow-up kayak strapped on top.

The BT-50 may be little changed in five years, but when it comes to towing a big trailer and coping with family getaways, that’s not such a bad thing…

2016 Mazda BT-50 XTR pricing and specifications:
Price: $51,700 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/470Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 256g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Ford Ranger (from $27,390 to $60,090 plus ORCs)
>> Nissan Navara (from $26,490 to $54,490 plus ORCs)
>> Mitsubishi Triton  (from $24,490 to $47,490 plus ORCs)