MY24 Mazda BT-50 SP 4x4 Review

Famed for their tough, work-ready platforms, versatility off-road and family-friendly interior packaging, dual-cab utes have become a one-stop-shop for Aussie buyers.

Enter the Mazda BT-50 SP, a high-ranking member of the range that aims to compete with the hottest-tickets in the dual-cab ute segment, packing a heap of bells and whistles.

Within the BT-50 range, the SP version picks up a number of premium interior upgrades, visual enhancements and practical improvements for its family and work-ready ute.

The only problem is that Mazda has just taken the wraps off its MY25 BT-50 range, a launch headlined by some key equipment upgrades, though these improvements come with price hikes attached.

Are you better off getting the refreshed BT-50 or getting behind the wheel of the MY24 BT-50 SP while pocketing some savings in the process?

We got behind the wheel of the MY24 Mazda BT-50 SP to find out how it stacks up as a capable, civilised and family-friendly dual-cab ute package and whether it deserves a spot on your shortlist.

Mazda BT-50 Competition

How Much Does the Mazda BT-50 Cost?

Prices for the MY24 Mazda BT-50 dual-cab 4x4 range kick off from $52,730 for the entry-level BT-50 XT 3.0 Manual and stretch out to $74,095 for the range-topping BT-50 Thunder.

Our review vehicle, the BT-50 GT 4x4 sits at the pointy end of the lineup wearing a price tag of $68,660 before on-road costs.

Prices for the full MY24 Mazda BT-50 3.0-litre dual-cab 4x4  range can be found below.

• XT Dual-Cab 3.0 Manual - $52,730

• XS Dual-Cab 1.9 Auto - $53,080

• XT Dual-Cab 3.0 Auto - $55,230

• XTR Dual-Cab 3.0 Manual - $56,780

• XTR Dual-Cab 3.0 Auto - $59,280

• GT Dual-Cab 3.0 Auto - $62,660

• SP Dual-Cab 3.0 Auto - $68,660 (tested)

• Thunder Dual-Cab 3.0 Auto - $74,095

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Mazda BT-50 SP 4x4 Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Mazda BT-50 GT Have?

The Mazda BT-50 SP sits at the pointy end of the lineup and picks up a hefty list of interior improvements to make it a more refined family hero.

The list of SP-specific touches is headlined by black 18-inch alloys, a black grille, mirrors, door handles and side steps, a tub liner with a manual black roller tonneau cover, a black sports bar, black wheel arches and upgraded leather and faux suede upholstery.

This is in addition to the family-focused touches from the BT-50 GT trim level, which adds heated front seats and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, as well as remote engine start and heated side mirrors.

The BT-50 SP also picks up features you’ll find in lesser versions, which means it comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloys and receives LED headlights with LED fog lights and daytime running lamps, side steps, keyless entry & start, dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and tyre pressure monitoring.

Buyers also pick up adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with front-mounted parking sensors, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster, rear air vents, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a locking rear differential.

Mazda BT-50 GT 4x4 Connectivity & Infotainment Features

The MY24 Mazda BT-50 range comes packaged with a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system sitting atop the dashboard.

It’s a reasonably-sized display snatched from the previous-gen D-Max range, but lacks the best in the segment when it comes to the resolution of the display.

Likewise, user enjoyment is a little bit stifled from the absence of rotary dials for the tuning and volume controls, which Isuzu has since fixed with the latest D-Max lineup, but the BT-50 retains the previous layout.

The BT-50 GT’s infotainment system receives satellite navigation as well as AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio and is paired with an eight-speaker sound system.

Once again, infotainment tech is something that has been optimised in the upcoming MY25 BT-50 range which receives the updated head unit with simple shortcuts and volume dials.

Does the Mazda BT-50 Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

While the infotainment system is getting a little bit long in the tooth, the Mazda BT-50 still offers buyers wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, though Android owners miss out on the hands-free tech.

That said, the Mazda BT-50 still offers Android Auto connectivity via a USB-A port.

This is one area that Mazda has addressed directly with the latest MY25 BT-50 range which offers both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity.

Is the Mazda BT-50 Comfortable to Drive?

On the road, the BT-50 is par for the dual-cab ute course - it feels big, tough and rides pretty firm when unloaded… a testament to its road-ready platform.

Under the bonnet, the Mazda BT-50 SP comes powered by a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit that pushes out 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque to the rear or all-four wheels via a part-time four-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic.

On a cold start, the BT-50’s power plant has a fairly agricultural note, while acceleration is pretty decent thanks to a heap of readily-available torque that comes on at 1,600rpm. 

This gives the BT-50 a nice amount of push off the line and fairly refined shifts thanks to the six-speed automatic that blends ratios together nicely.

The powertrain’s torque curve flattens out as you pick up the revs, though with ample torque at lower engine speeds, you’ll have enough motivation to take off from the lights or make a brisk overtake when needed.

The BT-50 passes the power test with a nice, confident tick in the engine department.

As for the driving experience, the BT-50’s steering rack is remarkably lightweight for a work-ready ute. 

At low speeds, it’s incredibly easy to throw the BT-50’s steering wheel around which feels somewhat counterintuitive for such a large package, though it comes as a pleasant surprise when it’s time to park or make a quick three point turn.

Aside from the BT-50’s substantial footprint, it’s a pretty well-mannered package to drive around town which lends itself nicely to more mundane trips to work or tackling the school run.

One detraction, however, is the firm suspension package which not only impacts the BT-50 but pretty much every dual-cab ute platform out there.

The reality is that it’s difficult, if not impossible, to make a package with suspension that can confidently handle nearly a tonne of cargo in the tray while remaining refined over the bumps.

The end result is a firm ride that transmits more than its fair share of bumps and road expansion joints through the cabin, though once again, it’s pretty much par for the course in terms of the urban ride.

Those putting their BT-50 to work and loading up the tray with some heavy cargo and tool boxes will see a lot of this jitteriness disappear, or at least behave itself over smaller bumps.

Leave the urban jungle in the background and the BT-50 offers a pretty solid package in the bends and on the highway, with ample torque and fairly responsive handling making it a solid long-distance tourer.

That suspension package does tend to magnify bumps on the road, though the BT-50 feels both sturdy and well-planted over bumpy sections of road, adding to confidence behind the wheel.

All in all, the BT-50 holds its ground well for the segment when it comes to the driving experience and while it suffers from the same firm ride quality, you can’t fault a cargo-hauler for confidently ticking its original and perhaps most important design brief.

How Much Can the Mazda BT-50 SP Carry & Tow?

Thanks to its D-Max underpinnings, the Mazda BT-50 offers solid payload figures for the family-friendly dual-cab ute segment and 3.5 tonnes of towing power if you’re looking to put it to work on a trip around Australia.

We’ll list all relevant payload, towing, gross vehicle mass and gross combination mass figures for the Mazda BT-50 SP below.

• Kerb Weight: 2,208kg

• Payload: 892kg

• Gross Vehicle Mass: 3,100kg

• Gross Combination Mass: 6,000kg

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Unbraked Towing Capacity: 750kg

Is the Mazda BT-50 Fuel Efficient?

For such a big and brash package, we were quite surprised with the fuel efficiency of the BT-50 when we weren’t too heavy with our right foot.

On a combined cycle, Mazda says the BT-50 range with the 3.0-litre powerplant is rated at 8.0L per 100km which we were able to match pretty easily on a mix of town, highway and country driving.

Over a total of 800km spent on the highway, putting around town and some light off-roading, including many hours with a cabin loaded with five adults, we averaged 8.4L/100km.

This gave us the confidence to say that you can easily match Mazda’s official claims, particularly if you’re spending time on the highway where you can expect to see fuel economy figures drop from 9.8L/100km in town to just 6.9L/100km.

• Mazda BT-50 (Claimed) Combined Cycle Fuel Economy: 8.0L/100km

• Mazda BT-50 (Tested) Combined Cycle Fuel Economy: 8.4L/100km

• Mazda BT-50 (Claimed) Town Cycle Fuel Economy: 9.8L/100km

• Mazda BT-50 (Claimed) Highway Cycle Fuel Economy: 6.9L/100km

Is the Mazda BT-50 SP Practical and Spacious?

The Mazda BT-50 SP offers a far more refined and luxurious cabin than the rest of the range, though look a little closer and it’s clear the BT-50’s interior is due for an upgrade.

Step inside and you’re greeted with a spacious cockpit that picks up some nice interior touches from Mazda, though there’s certainly no hiding its D-Max DNA inside.

Everything from the infotainment display, dashboard, centre console, steering wheel and door trims are snatched directly from the D-Max which isn’t necessarily a bad thing… but does illuminate some of the shortfalls of the previous-generation Isuzu infotainment tech.

Mazda has already announced some details of the updated BT-50 which, thankfully, has picked up an updated tech suite that brings it closer in line with major rivals when it comes to interior tech.

The same can be said about the diminutive 4.2-inch digital driving display which is set to expand to 8.0-inches in the upcoming BT-50 update.

That said, fundamentals like headroom in the front of the BT-50’s cabin are excellent, even for the tallest of drivers, while ergonomics also tick some important boxes thanks to multiple soft finishes for important touchpoints.

There’s also some faux leather covering the top edges of the dashboard that make you stretch quite far before you can find any cheap, scratchy plastics.

It’s also nice and easy to adjust the climate control settings on the move thanks to some toggle switchgear beneath the display.

The driver’s seat picks up eight-way power-adjustment with both lumbar and thigh support, which, combined with the telescopic and tilt-adjusting steering wheel, means you won’t have much of an issue finding your preferred driving position.

Mazda’s interior upgrades for the seat upholstery also make a bold first impression and help justify the SP’s lofty position on the BT-50 totem pole thanks to the driftwood leather with nice contrasts and some leather covering the sides of the console.

In terms of storage, the BT-50 has the bases covered pretty confidently.

There’s two gloveboxes positioned in front of the passenger’s seat as well as a pair of cupholders, added storage inside the folding armrest and a large tray hiding behind the gear lever.

Unfortunately, there’s no tradie-spec pop-out cupholders on the edges of the dashboard, though you will find a little storage cubby to the right-hand side of the steering wheel and bottle holders with added real estate for loose items hiding inside the door sills.

Move to the rear of the cabin and things can get a bit cramped if you’re an adult seated behind a tall driver, though on the whole it’s once again just par for the dual-cab course.

The BT-50’s second row seats are quite elevated over the first row which gives kids the chance for a better view but does eat up headroom potential for tall rear occupants.

That said, there’s more than enough space for kids back here, with two pairs of ISOFIX anchors and three top tether mounts on offer to accommodate child seats.

In terms of amenities in the rear, the BT-50 SP picks up a coat hook, a single USB-A port, a small storage cubby, a folding armrest with cupholders, map pockets and small bottle holders inside the door sills.

How Big is the Mazda BT-50’s Tray?

With its platform carried over from the Isuzu D-Max, the Mazda BT-50 range is a strong contender when it comes to carrying large, heavy loads in the tray.

Mazda’s BT-50 SP picks up the black manual roller tonneau cover as well as a tub liner, with a pair of tie-down hooks in the rear of the tray to help secure loose cargo.

In total, the BT-50’s tray measures 1,571mm long and offers 1,530mm total width, with 1,120mm on offer between the rear wheel arches and 490mm of height on offer for buyers.

• BT-50 Tray Length: 1,571mm

• BT-50 Tray Width: 1,530mm

• BT-50 Tray Width (between arches) 1,122mm

• BT-50 Tray Height: 490mm

Is the Mazda BT-50 SP Safe?

Mazda packages the BT-50 range with a decent amount of active safety kit and, perhaps more importantly, doesn’t reserve any important safety features for higher-ranking members of the lineup. 

This means that the second-from-the-top BT-50 SP variant picks up the same safety equipment list as the entry-level dual cab offering.

The BT-50’s list of safety gear includes an autonomous emergency braking system, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure alerts.

Buyers also pick up a lane-keep and turn assist system, a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors, curtain airbags, traffic sign detection and tyre pressure monitoring.

Does the Mazda BT-50 Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Mazda BT-50 range has picked up a five-star ANCAP safety rating after tests in 2022 saw it score the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 86%

• Child Occupant Protection: 89%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 67%

• Safety Assist: 84%

ANCAP’s five-star safety rating for the BT-50 range does not apply to Thunder and XTR LE variants and is set to expire in December, 2028.

What Warranty does the Mazda BT-50 SP Come With?

Mazda offers the BT-50 SP with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Buyers also pick up a five-year roadside assistance membership.

Mazda’s BT-50 range comes with five-years of capped-price servicing included, though totals vary between trim levels and engine options.

Five years’ worth of servicing for this BT-50 SP comes to a total of $2,496 with service intervals sitting at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Mazda BT-50 Worth it?

The Mazda BT-50 is a great dual-cab ute package that receives some significant hardware improvements over lower-ranking members of the range.

It’s a powerhouse that can confidently handle a heavy load of cargo, tackle an off-road challenge and putter down the street on a school run with ease, remaining a deserving staple of Australia’s dual-cab ute segment.

That said, the BT-50 SP specifically sees is value proposition weakened amid a range of more affordable versions that pick up the same engine and work-ready nature - and that’s before we even mention the arrival of the updated MY25 BT-50 range.

If infotainment tech is an important concern, we’d recommend you hold out for the updated BT-50 range which lands in the first quarter of 2025.

If, however, you’re looking to get a great deal right now, we’d suggest you get in contact with one of our car-buying experts who can help you take advantage of Mazda’s current run-out specials for the BT-50 range.

Five Mazda BT-50 Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (140kW / 450Nm)

3. 892kg payload figures, 3,500kg braked towing capacity

4. 12-month / 15,000km service intervals

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating