The facelifted Mazda BT-50 bakkie has been revealed, though with this nameplate having been discontinued in SA earlier in 2024, we won’t see it on local roads…
In March 2024, Cars.co.za broke the news that the Mazda BT-50 nameplate had been discontinued in South Africa after an 18-year run. Now, the facelifted version of the Japanese firm’s bakkie has been revealed overseas.
Of course, since the BT-50 is no longer a part of Mazda Southern Africa’s line-up – with the automaker’s local division having cited an “extremely challenging landscape for imported vehicles” and a struggle to compete directly with locally manufactured products, such as the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max – this facelifted model won’t be seen in Mzansi.
So, what are we missing out on? Well, styling changes on the double-cab bakkie include a refreshed front end, which sports a new lighting signature for the LED headlamps as well as a redesigned grille and bumper (the latter now incorporating an “air curtain”). Around back, the tailgate gains a ridge along its bottom edge, while new LED taillamps and a larger “Mazda” logo have been adopted.
The facelifted BT-50 furthermore scores redesigned alloy wheels, while 3 fresh paint colours – Red Earth Metallic, Geode White Pearl and Sailing Blue Metallic – have been added to the colour palette. The cabin upgrades to what Mazda calls a “completely new infotainment system” presented within a “responsive central touchscreen interface that now integrates touch switches below the display for better usability and visibility”.
The largest available touchscreen measures 9 inches in diameter, while physical volume and tuning dials are positioned on either side of the screen. There’s also a new 7-inch instrument cluster. In addition, the refreshed bakkie now features USB-C sockets, as well as the integration of wireless Android Auto (to join its existing wireless Apple CarPlay functionality).
Meanwhile, the interior door trim, console lid and dashboard trim benefit from what Mazda calls “subtle yet effective” material updates, including a move from brown to black leather for some grades. The list of driver-assistance systems has been bolstered, too, with the BT-50 now featuring front stereo cameras, traffic jam assist, rear cross traffic brake and intelligent adaptive cruise control.
Moreover, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system gains motorcycle detection and pedestrian detection at intersections. The digital reverse-view camera scores a hydrophobic coating, while dynamic guidelines have been added to the display and a new USB port positioned near the rearview mirror.
As a reminder, the pre-facelift BT-50 range in South Africa had comprised 4 double-cab derivatives, last priced from R630 400 and running through to R818 400. The line-up kicked off with a pair of 4×2 Active variants using a 1.9-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine (110 kW and 350 Nm), and available in either 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic guise.
There was also a 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine (producing 140 kW and 450 Nm), offered in either 4×2 Dynamic or 4×4 Individual form but exclusively with a 6-speed self-shifting transmission in either case. The SA-spec BT-50 had been imported from Thailand, where it was produced by Isuzu (and based on the latest-generation D-Max). Though the TF-series BT-50 was revealed in mid-2020, it touched down in Mzansi only in July 2021.
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