A BEAUT UTE
Originally launched in 2006, Mazda’s mid-sized BT-50 ute is co-engineered with Ford. Ford’s Ranger shares the same engine and drive train.
Afull upgrade of the Mazda was released in 2011 and the company has just launched a facelift model for 2016. Engine specifications remain unchanged but there are several equipment upgrades.
The current line-up comes in 2WD (popular with tradies) and 4WD versions, with 13 variants in Single Cab, Freestyle Cab and Double Cab body styles, in GLX, GLX Sport and GSX grades.
The BT-50 is powered by a five-cylinder 3.2-litre DOHC intercooled turbo-diesel engine with 147kw of power, 470Nm of torque and a braked towing capacity of 3,500kg. It’s available in six-speed manual or six-speed automatic (with manual mode) transmissions.
With such an impressive tow rating in a package that’s not outrageously large or fuel hungry, the BT-50 looks ideal for towing trailer boats in the 6 to 7.5m class. So, with a boat test scheduled on an Extreme aluminium boat (weighing 2.25-tonne on its trailer) in Whakatane, it seemed a good opportunity to try out the ute’s towing ability.
Mazda loaned us a BT-50 4WD Double Cab GSX automatic model in the ‘True Red’ colour (the range has seven colours: Titanium Flash, True Red, Aluminium Metallic, Deep Crystal Blue, Blue Reflex, Cool White and Jet Black).
First impressions? The recent facelift has the BT-50 looking a little more muscular than the previous version. It’s fitted with a heavyduty polyethylene ‘tub liner’, alloy mags and built-in fog lights.
The trip involved a bit of town and city driving, a decent openroad stint from Auckland to Whakatane and back, and tow and launch duties for a 2.25-tonne trailer boat rig while in the Bay of Plenty. As this was a towing test, I didn’t attempt any off-roading.
According to the Trip Computer the total distance covered was 688km at a fuel consumption of 10.8 litres per 100km (that’s around 25mpg in old-think) – not too bad considering the price differential between diesel and petrol.
Most of the trip was easy, open road travelling, but included climbing the Bombays and the Kaimais twice, towing the boat about 50km (including over the Port Ohope hill) and travelling
twice across Auckland with its stop-start rush hour traffic.
Don’t mistake me for a ‘proper’ vehicle reviewer, though; although I have been driving for 45 years and have owned 4X4s for the last 15, boats are more my field. Apparently the BT-50 is fitted with such features as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Hill Launch Assist (HLA), Roll Stability Control (RSC), Traction Control System ( TCS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Load Adaptive Control (LAC).
I don’t know how most of these work, or even what they do, although I can make some guesses from their names.
A Locking Rear Differential (LRD), Antilock Braking System (ABS), front, side and curtain airbags, and a five-star ANCAP safety rating I can understand – and it is comforting to know they are there.
BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN
What I do know is that the BT-50 is a pleasure to drive. Having driven the allied Ford Ranger before, I found many of the controls familiar and it really was a case of jump in and go. The GSX models have eight-way driver’s seat adjustment (including lumbar) and before the main trip I spent a little time setting it up to suit me.
The excellent sound system has Bluetooth connectivity, which can give hands-free phone connection and no doubt hook up to the i-device of your choice. It was great having controls for the sound system mounted on one of the steering-wheel spokes – easy adjustments without taking attention off the road or a hand from the wheel.
The double cab is spacious and there is decent storage in the doors, a lockable glove box and consoles. Travelling on my own, I just put my bags on the back seat, as this was the open-topped ‘wellside’ model with a heavy-duty polyethylene ‘Tub Liner’. Those who want their rear load protected from rain, dust or thieving hands should invest in a lockable tonneau cover or canopy.
New features in GSX vehicles include: an auto day/night rear-view mirror; reversing camera; automatic headlights and rainsensing wipers (cool!). Apparently there is also satellite navigation in there somewhere, although it was not immediately apparent and I didn’t go looking for it – I knew where I was going and didn’t need it.
I soon got to appreciate some of these features when backing up the ute to hitch on the boat, especially the reversing camera (which shows the tow ball) and the rear proximity alarm – another device that makes life easy (and safer). The rear image shows up on one side of the reversing mirror.
HOW DID IT DRIVE?
On the open road it was competent at cornering at reasonable speeds and stable in bends. The 3.2-litre engine had plenty of power – impressive without being unmanageable.
Rated to tow up to 3.5 tonnes on a braked trailer meant the BT-50 was able to accelerate up the steep pitches in the Kaimai 3.2-litre in-line 5 cylinder DOHC intercooled turbo diesel
6-speed manual or automatic with manual mode 4x2 Hi-rider or 4x4