MAZDA BT-50 XT-R AUTO

$ 47,990 DRIVE- AWAY 1 7 POINTS

VALUE

Prices have been tweaked because everything this side of a VW Amarok outsold this Ford Ranger-derived workhorse last year, which makes the XT-R great value. Default equipment includes dual-zone aircon and an eight-inch Alpine-supplied infotainment screen with satnav. The two-year/unlimited km warranty is ordinary but goes to three years if you haven’t hit 100,000km. Servicing isn’t great at 12 months/10,000km but the price is good at $1200 for the first four years/40,000km.

DESIGN

The ugly duckling of four-wheel drive utes suffers for its lack of visual toughness. It’s had a mid-life facelift but still has a more car-like front than rivals — and buyers haven’t taken to it. The infotainment screen thankfully relocates the reversing camera display from rear-view mirror to screen. Payload is 1100kg.

ENGINE

The 3.2-litre turbo diesel (147kW/470Nm) certainly doesn’t lack urge but it’s thirsty at a claimed 10.0L/100km. On-theroad returns will blow that out to about 12-13L. The six-speed auto (as in the Navara, a six-speed manual is standard; no one buys it) is a syrup-smooth performer though there’s a bit of noise when you hit the accelerator.

SAFETY

ANCAP tested the Ranger on which the BT-50 is based in 2011 and gave the Mazda five stars, though it noted design differences meant the Mazda’s pedestrian protection wasn’t tested. Standard gear includes six airbags, cruise control, camera, trailer sway and hill ascent/descent contols.

DRIVING

The Mazda is the pick of this pair for on-road manners. Firm dampers make the ride mildly jittery over corrugations if there’s only a driver on board but it’s far from uncomfortable. Add some weight and the BT-50 settles on to its rear leaf springs and absorbs the worst our sub-standard roads can throw at it.