Mazda Australia has given its BT-50 a mid-life makeover for 2025, and we liked it so much on the launch drive, we’ve now added one to the 4×4 shed.

JUMP AHEAD

Part 1: BT-50 GT joins our long-term garage

The BT-50 we have is actually one of the cars used for the launch, where we were impressed by the range of quality accessories now offered by Mazda – so we opted for one that has been suitably accessorised for our uses.

Our car is the GT-spec BT-50 that has a RRP of $66,170. The team at Mazda has then added almost $16K worth of factory-backed accessories, some of which are from known and respected 4×4 aftermarket brands. 

While the single-hoop steel front bumper is a product developed in Australia for Mazda, the driving lights mounted on it come from well-known brand, Lightforce. In fact, they are Lightforce’s premium ‘Beast’ LED lights that offer multiple beam patterns and exceptional performance.

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Similarly, the colour-matched canopy is unbranded for Mazda; the slide-out drawer system comes from US-brand Decked; and the seal-kit to keep dust out of the tray and drawers was developed locally. 

The BT-50 GT comes very well-equipped with standard equipment including but not limited to black leather seats; eight-way power adjustment on the driver’s seat; heating on both front seats; a blacked-out interior; nine-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless and USB); rear seat air-con; remote engine start; front parking sensors; reversing camera and sensors; adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go; Emergency Lane Keeping with road edge detection; Rear Cross Traffic Brake; LED headlights, sat-nav; TPMS; and 18-inch alloys. It’s a fully loaded package befitting the model that sits second on the model line-up.

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The powertrain is the familiar Isuzu 3.0-litre diesel backed by a Aisin six-speed auto and part-time/dual-range 4×4 with a rear diff lock and Rough Terrain mode button. It’s well proven and, while it might not be at the pointy end of performance, it gets the job done without messing around.

Initial impressions tell us we’ll appreciate the luxury features and spec of the GT model, as well as the added functionality and security that the accessories add to the car. We’re hitting the highway for an interstate road trip with the Mazda over the Easter and Anzac Day break, so there are a few adventures planned to break up the day-to-day workload the BT will be helping us out with. 

  • Total kilometres: 2211km
  • As-tested price: $66,170

Factory-backed accessories

  • Paint: $695
  • Accessories: $15,864
  • Tub drawers: $4597
  • Canopy (lift windows): $4688
  • Bull bar (Premium single hoop): $3940
  • Lightforce LED Beast driving lights: $1811
  • Dust seal kit: $828

Part 2: Quick camping getaway

With an unusually long dry Victorian summer, It was an opportunity, making the quick decision to grab a night away in the Mazda before life returns to more indoors activities.

Searching for a location a few hours from Melbourne that’s dog friendly and scenic I found a campground that looked the perfect fit, in Loch Valley, Gippsland. Whilst solo camping is okay, having a buddy for Cleo and I would be more fun. Karen, who often minds Cleo enthusiastically accepted, bringing Piper, for furry buddy adventures. 

Camping regardless of the amount of time away requires “Stuff”, and with the BT-50’s  Canopy and large Decked draw, it’s a throw it all in affair. Tent, sleeping mats, chairs, water, tables, large esky and dog paraphernalia. With all this the canopy was fairly full but not Tetris level and the draws still empty.  If the Mazda was a permanent car I’d kit out the draw set up with all my standard camping requirements, pantry, kitchen utensils, jet boil and the like. I love the side lockable windows, being able to access things towards the back of the canopy without having to repack has huge benefits. 

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Of course, the weather decided to turn for the worse belting down rain overnight prompting some additional gear to be packed, Morning rises and still drizzling I duck around the corner collecting the fellow travellers. With dogs on board the DOOG Car seat cover was essential for keeping the rear clean of dogs wet feet and hair.  Immediately after climbing in Karen notes I can’t charge my phone, it’s the wrong plug type. There’s no standard USB fitted nor a charge pad, its plug in Carplay only in the BT-50. The technology is changing quicker than the weather, resulting in turning back home to collect usb-c cords. 

Finally heading down the M1 towards Druin, hitting the adaptive cruise, it sets easily with a touch of a couple buttons. The lane assist is active, it’s noticeable in the Mazda’s but not annoying and with a simple one touch, it can be deactivated. 

With pooches in the rear seat who love hanging out sniffing the air, one definitely needs a front window open to avoid the thumping noise that most new cars create. 

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After an easy run we turn off heading into the hills towards Noojee, the BT-50 handles well on the twisting roads, it feels confident with all the terrains gripping the wet black top, unfortunately there’ll be no real off-roading on this trip. The leather steering wheel feels nice to grip and the seats are really comfortable, which I’m sure will be great on longer trips. 

We roll into Noojee village hoping to grab some firewood, but there’s no servo, opps should’ve planned a bit better, we’ll have to hustle to find dry wood, but we’re starving so head straight to the recommended lunch stop, Toolshed Bar & Bistro. 

Chowing down on a towering Steak Sanga and huge country sized Parma we get chatting to local farmer Baz and his pooch Tex, conveniently he happens to be the local wood chopper/collector. Minutes later he kindly offers us free DRY firewood, even drops it at the BT-50 on his way out. Loading it in the only remaining space,  the draw, the large logs fit easily in its deep well. The only thing I wonder is how do you keep the draw from sliding closed?  Must work that out at somestage. 

It’s late arvo and we head to camp. The Poplars campground has tall towering gums, a meandering creek, large grassy camp areas, fire pits and drop toilets makes for a great quick weekend away.  I set up tents while Karen, a self proclaimed fire manic,collects kindling and cranks an awesome fire. 

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The drizzle has stopped but both pooches are suitably wet and we huddle in close for a quiet night around the flames, snacks and a glass of red or two.

The morning brings fog, lifting late as we’re in the valley this  means a slow start, fending off the pooches while cooking the bacon is a laughing affair.  Finally packed up we head for some sight seeing at the speccy Toorrongo Falls, after the loop walk we decide to head home, stopping off at a winery for a tapas lunch as the sun shines all afternoon.

Whilst this was a short stint behind the wheel, thus far the BT-50’s so user friendly and certainly comfortable to drive and live with, bar one gripe. I like auto locking systems as I mentioned with the previous long termer I tend to carry too much at once and the auto lock/unlock helps but in this case with the key in hand it autolocks way too soon.. Getting out, walking away you’re not even a metre away from the vehicle. Just walking round the back the Mazda auto-locks and before my passenger or pooches can get out. 

This aside, enjoying the ride the BT-50 is heading north for a long road trip stay tuned. 

  • Kilometres since last update: 1342km
  • Average fuel use: 9.2L/100km
MORE 2025 Mazda BT-50: Midlife makeover put to the test