New Mazda BT-50 gets top safety rating

Following the lead of the Isuzu D-MAX, the mechanically identical Mazda BT-50 has been awarded a maximum five-star safety rating by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

The ANCAP rating applies to the dual-cab versions of the BT-50 ute already on sale, as well as forthcoming single-cab and Freestyle extra-cab variants.

The BT scored strongly in three out of four categories, rating above 80 per cent for adult and child occupant protection and safety assist systems.

The only area in which it slipped below the Isuzu D-MAX was vulnerable road user protection (pedestrians and cyclists), where it received a 67 per cent score.

The D-MAX earned a slightly higher 69 per cent score due to its different front bumper and bonnet design.

Otherwise, the result between the two utes was identical.

Mazda BT-50 vs Isuzu D-MAX ute comparison

Assessed under a harsher new testing regime for 2020, the Mazda BT-50 and its Isuzu D-MAX twin now stand as the benchmark utes in the category in terms of safety.

“As the latest release into the high-selling utilities segment, the Mazda BT-50 provides a comprehensive safety offering to both fleet and private buyers,” said ANCAP communications and advocacy director, Rhianne Robson.

“This top rating underscores the importance placed on safety by Mazda, with all models in its range carrying a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

“It is reassuring to see the safety of Mazda customers and other road users being prioritised regardless of market segment.”

There are other utes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, but these were tested in previous years and some would be unlikely to attain a maximum rating if retested under the stricter regime now in place.

The new testing protocols include a more complex assessment of the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems – a feature which is standard across the BT-50 range and can detect vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians and automatically apply the brakes before a potential collision.

The BT-50 also gets lane departure warning, lane keep assist, emergency lane keeping, a multi-collision braking system to avoid a secondary impact, and eight airbags as standard on all models.

Child occupant protection has also increased dramatically in today’s dual-cab utes as they’re increasingly used as family vehicles.

ANCAP categorised the Mazda BT-50’s child protection as ‘good’ in the frontal offset and side impact tests “for all critical body areas” measured in the six-year-old and 10-year-old child dummies.