Mazda Bt-50

The Mazda Bt-50 is a Mazda truck mostly sold outside of the United States, and though made by a Japanese manufacturer, is not sold in Japan, either.

History

The Mazda BT-50 has been built by Mazda since 2006. The Mazda Bt-50 is larger than the similar B-series pickups. The second generation of the Mazda BT-50 came out in 2011.

Design

The Mazda BT-50 shares many of its design elements with the Ford Ranger. The Mazda Bt-50 is mechanically related to the JMC Yuhu.
The Mazda Bt-50 is a 4x4 truck available with a single cab, freestyle cab (without a solid metal truck bed but an open metal frame instead), dual cab, and dual cab utility versions. The Mazda Bt-50 is available with a 4x2 drive and 4.4 drive. The 4x2 (two wheel drive) single cab is available with a hi-rider equipment package. The 4x2 (or 2WD) freestyle cab chassis only comes with a hi-rider equipment package; the hi-rider package raises the vehicle up like a jeep. The 4x2 dual cab chassis only comes with the XT high rider, and a 6 speed manual transmission. The 4x2 dual cab chassis is available with an XT hi-rider and XTR hi-rider package, and either a manual or automatic transmission.
The 4x4 single chassis cab is available with automatic and manual transmissions and the XT equipment package. The 4x4 drive freestyle cab chassis comes with a 4x4 XT equipment package and either manual or automatic transmission. The 4x4 freestyle cab utility version only comes with a 4x4 XTR equipment grade (as of 2015), and either an automatic or manual transmission. The 4x4 dual cab chassis only has the 4x4 XT equipment grade and manual transmission.
The 4x4 (4 wheel drive) dual cab utility has three equipment grade levels: the XT, the XTR, and GT.
The main 4x4 I5 diesel version of the Mazda Bt-50 has a 3.2 liter engine and six speed manual transmission. The automatic transmission option was added in 2013.
The base model of the Mazda Bt-50 can tow 3.5 metric tons.

Fuel consumption for the Mazda BT-50 4x4 is 8.9 (l/100km) *4. The Mazda Bt-50's maximum power is 147 kW @ 3,000 RPM.
In 2012, there was a recall by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for the Mazda BT-50 dual cab for defects on the rear seatback latch not being fitted correctly, which could cause the rear seat back to fall forward during a collision.
In 2010, there was a recall for the Mazda BT-50 for a problem with the automatic transmission shift cable bracket. In the same year, there was a recall for the Mazda Bt-50's “bonnet striker”, also known as the hook that holds down the car hood. The recall was for bonnet strikers sometimes breaking due to fatigue as the hood bounced against the striker.
In 2007, the Australian government had a recall due to incorrect Compliance Plate Approval numbers embossed on the compliance.

The Mazda BT-50 costs around $5,000 in Australia less than a similarly equipped Ford Ranger.
The 2014 Mazda BT-50 XTR cost roughly $49,000 new in Australia.

Rivals

The main rivals to the Mazda Bt-50 are the Ford Ranger and VW Amarok. However, the Ford Ranger that is a rival to the BT-50 is not the same truck sold in the US under the same name, “Ford Ranger”.

Trivia

The first generation of the Mazda BT-50 truck was sold as the Ford Ranger in the US, and also sold as the Ford Everest if the back was enclosed to make an SUV.
In Australia, the Mazda BT-50 truck is also called a BT-50 ute.