MAZDA UTE STEERS ITS OWN PATH

VALUE

Initially the starting price was more than $50,000 but there are now 2018 plate top-shelf BT-50 GTs available for $47,990 drive-away (manual). Basic spec includes black leather trim, tinted glass, tub liner, sports bar, 17-inch alloys, dual-zone aircon, eight-inch touchscreen with satnav and smartphone mirroring, six-speaker audio and power adjustment for the driver’s seat. Servicing intervals are 12 months/15,000km (up from 10,000km). As with most other key brands, Mazda has extended its warranty from three years to five.

COMFORT

Leather trim adds an element of class yet the seats are relatively flat and could do with additional bolstering. The Alpine touchscreen lacks cohesion and is clunky to operate when not using the smartphone apps. The USB plug on top of the dash is also awkward. Rear passengers go without aircon vents and the engine needs to be working to cool down the cabin fast.

SAFETY

Five-star rating from 2015 would not be replicated now due to more stringent requirements. The GT comes standard with six airbags, rear camera, trailer sway control and emergency brake assist — some rivals now have autonomous emergency braking, radar cruise control, rear cross traffic and blind spot warning.

DRIVING

The BT-50 initially was a twin under the skin with the Ford Ranger but didn’t get the updates to the latter a few years back. Shared with the Ford, the BT-50’s 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel is burly and smooth but can feel sluggish when cold. Almost silky on the highway, the ride borders on refined — it gets bouncy when unladen on below-average bitumen, not that the BT-50 is alone in that regard. Steering feels slow and laboured in the city but is more accomplished on the dirt.

ALTERNATIVES MITSUBISHI TRITON GLS 4WD $46,990 D/A

Just released with a completely new look. This price is for the automatic, matched with the carry-over 2.4-litre diesel (133kW/430Nm). Ups the safety quotient with AEB and rear cross traffic alert. Seven-year/150,000km warranty.

FORD RANGER XLT 4WD $52,990 D/A

Australia’s second most popular vehicle for good reason, with a car-like ride and more refinement than the Mazda while using the same engine.

TOYOTA HILUX SR 4WD $45,990 D/A

Australia’s top-selling vehicle and the current deal is with free auto. The SR with 2.8-litre diesel (130kW/450Nm) is bereft of any luxuries and doesn’t have the greatest on-road finesse — but the HiLux is tried and trusted with excellent resale.

VERDICT

The new look extends the appeal of Mazda’s adept ute. Ride is of a high standard on the freeway or in town, though in the latter the vague and heavy steering can be challenging.