2024 Mazda BT-50 update: What to expect

With the arrival of an updated Isuzu D-Max ute imminent, its Mazda BT-50 twin-under-the-skin is expected to receive similar upgrades.

While Mazda Australia remains tight-lipped about timing for the updated 2024 Mazda BT-50, it will likely follow closely behind the facelifted D-Max due imminently.

“You'll have to wait and see on that one”, said Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi when asked if the BT-50 will soon mirror updates applied to its D-Max donor car.

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The current Mazda BT-50 launched in Australia in September 2020, weeks after the D-Max, while additional driver’s knee protection was introduced almost simultaneously for both vehicles in mid-2022.

Exterior changes are unlikely to be as extensive as the latest D-Max (revealed in Thailand in October 2023), which has revised bumpers, new headlights, and updated tail-light internals.

However, the BT-50 could feature new alloy wheel designs and more pronounced flared wheel arches for the SP variant – which has a similar treatment to the D-Max X-Terrain flagship model.

If the BT-50 were to follow the latest D-Max, it would receive wireless Android Auto, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, ventilated front seats, a 7.0-inch semi-digital instrument cluster (up from 4.2-inch), and front and rear USB-C charge ports (replacing USB-A).

The updated D-Max also features simplified, touch-sensitive shortcut controls for the infotainment system, and new volume and tuning dials to replace hard buttons.

First seen in the Isuzu MU-X off-road SUV, the BT-50 could also receive the same ‘rough terrain mode’ coming to the D-Max, which is said to sharpen the brakes and transfer torque to the wheels with the most traction when rock-crawling. It can also automatically engage the rear differential lock.

A “wider and more accurate” view has also been touted for the front camera module that enables the active safety technology to work, including autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.

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The BT-50 is yet to receive a damped tailgate gas strut for tubbed ute models and automatic deactivation of the blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts when a trailer is connected, which were added to the D-Max line-up in Australia in 2022.

Ahead of the likely new model, Mazda Australia is currently offering 2023-plate examples of the BT-50 SP for $66,670 drive-away for ABN holders or $67,990 drive-away for private buyers.

This discounted price is less than the usual $68,510 before on-road costs, meaning the current national offer is around $6000 less than the standard drive-away price once on-road costs are added to the BT-50 SP’s recommended retail price.

The D-Max X-Terrain, the most equivalent model to the BT-50 SP, is permanently offered for $64,990 drive-away nationwide – less than its $67,500 recommended retail price.

It is unclear if Mazda plans to offer the SP or other BT-50 variants at a similar discounted price once 2023-built stock is cleared.

“No offer is permanent, but yes, there is a pretty good offer [on BT-50 SP] at the moment,” said Bhindi.

The Isuzu D-Max was Australia’s third most-popular vehicle in 2023 (31,302 sales), while the Mazda BT-50 (17,526) was the fourth best-selling ute – behind the Ranger (63,356), HiLux (61,111) and D-Max – and the nation’s 13th most-popular car.

As with most product upgrades, expect price increases for the updated 2024 Isuzu D-Max and 2024 Mazda BT-50 ute twins when both models arrive in Australia.