Mazda BT-50 2013 review

You can see why dual cab utes are so popular. Not only can they cart the family around, but they can also double as a work or play vehicles when required.

The Mazda BT-50 is a case in point. The styling might be polarising, but like it or not it's soon forgotten once you're behind the wheel.

Range

A range of 19 different variants including a choice of two different engines and three body styles also ensures that buyers can find a BT-50 fit for any task. Our test vehicle was the mid-range XTR, powered by a 3.2-litre five cylinder diesel along with a six-speed automatic.

Prices start at $32,590, but the XTR will set you back $48,810 plus another $2000 for the auto, bring the total to well over $50K once you add in on-road costs.

Diesel

There's a choice of two diesels: a 2.2-litre four and 3.2-litre five cylinder engine. Our 3.2 develops 147kW of power and 470Nm of torque, the latter from a low 1750 revs. It has an 80-litre tank and fuel consumption for this model is rated at 9.2 litres/100km (we were getting 9.0 after 500km).

4X4

It's a part-time system, but you can switch between two and four-wheel drive on the fly up to a speed of 120km/h. This is achieved via a rotary knob mounted in the centre console -- not transfer lever.

The tray

It's a big car at more than two tonnes and 5.3 metres in length and stands over 1800mm high, with 237mm of ground clearance and a wading depth of 800mm. The all-important tub is bigger than before at 1549mm long, 1560mm wide and 513mm deep, with 1139mm between the wheel arches and a payload capacity in this model of 1097kg.

There are some tie-down points inside the tub, but nothing to tie off to outside. A tonneau cover is optional as is a mat or tray liner (a soft tonneau should at the least be provided).

Tow capacity 

It sits on 265/65 17-in alloys and has braked towing capacity of 3500kg --which is as good as it gets. Gross Combined Mass (GCM) is 6000kg and maximum towball download is 350kg.

Safety

The BT-50 scores a full five stars for safety from ANCAP, with six airbags and a whole suite of safety technologies including DSC, ABS, EBD and EBA. Load Adaptive Control (LAC) and Trailer Sway Control (TSC) are also fitted. The latter controls the speeds of rotation of the vehicle's left and right-hand wheels in order to suppress swaying.

Goodies

All grades get cruise control, Bluetooth, power windows and mirrors, air-conditioning. XTR models add 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, dual-zone climate control, leather gear shift knob and steering wheel and chrome trim, not to mention satellite navigation (but no speed camera warnings).

Driving

It's big, loud and truck-like but none of this should come as a surprise -- it is, after all, a ute. Without a tonneau cover or exterior tie down points carrying a load, in this case a mountain of garden cuttings to the tip is a challenge -- keeping them from blowing out is anyway.