2016 Mazda BT-50 XT 4×2 REVIEW | Fit, Capable, And An Auto Bonus
MID-LIFE VEHICLE-UPDATES CAN BE EITHER SLIGHT OR SIZEABLE, AND THE 2016 MAZDA BT-50 DEFINITELY ERRS ON 'SLIGHT'.
The polarising front-end styling of the former model has been tweaked to be more appealing, but there are no major engine nor chassis changes. That said, given the BT-50 consistently places among the class leaders to drive, maybe Mazda is right to rest on its laurels.
Here we’re testing the entry-level 4x2 cab-chassis model, with diesel engine and automatic transmission, priced from under $30,000. It is actually rare in this class to find a diesel/auto combination with a price starting with a ‘2’ in front of it.
So is Mazda’s BT-50 XT 4X2 right in the sweet spot for tradies on a budget?
Vehicle Style: 4X2 Cab/Chassis Ute
Price: $28,815 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 110kW/375Nm 2.2 litre 4cyl turbo-diesel | six-speed automatic
Fuel Economy claimed: 8.9 l/100km | tested: 11.2 l/100km
OVERVIEW
The 4x2 ‘pickup’ segment collectively sold 40,657 units last year, which is less than one-third of the volume of the more expensive 4x4 segment.
For its part, the BT-50 snared an 11.2 percent share of the two-wheel-drive ute class, versus only 6.5 percent of the 4x4 pie.
By contrast, the Ford Ranger, a near-twin to the BT-50, and built in the same Thailand factory, secures 14.2 percent of the 4x2 class and 15.5 percent among 4x4 rivals.