Not everyone has found it a comfortable mix, the curvy swoops that are Mazda's signature look melded onto the more traditional profile of a ute, but in the metal it looks good. Different, but good.
On the road, the new BT-50 is a revelation. The 3.2L 5-cylinder I5 20-valve turbocharged, intercooled diesel is all torque and nonchalantly throws the Mazda up hills and down straights without raising an eyebrow.
Power is a healthy 147kW, maximum torque is 470Nm generated at 1750-2500rpm – right where you want it for off roading and towing – and the five-cylinder growl makes the BT-50 far more interesting than a four-pot diesel.
The chassis dynamics of the BT-50 and its close cousin the Ford Ranger have drawn much praise from the motoring press (the mechanically identical Ford was named Autocar magazine's Car of the Year).
The steering is accurate and the chassis, within the limitations of a cart-sprung rear – comfortable and capable in a way most commercial vehicles are not.
A spirited drive up Highway 16, between Helensville and Wellsford, took in a mix of straight and winding sections of road, and some indifferent road surfaces, all of which the BT-50 easily took in its stride. It lopes along in the most effortless fashion.
Off road it was only stopped by its road-oriented rubber. Among the many active safety features is hill descent control which will safely 'walk' the truck down steep terrain, requiring the driver to do no more than steer. To help it get back up the hill is a diff lock.
Tick the automatic gearbox option, as fitted to the Limited test vehicle we drove, and you'll get the excellent ZF 6-speed automatic. Manual buyers also get six cogs. The higher gearing offers better fuel efficiency when cruising, the claimed average being 9.2L/100km, although Dairy News' lead-foot driving technique saw consumption closer to 10.5 – still good considering the grunt on tap. The praise heaped on Ford/Mazda's new ute is largely deserved.
Prices for the base 4WD double cab start at $51,295 and stop at $61,895 for the leather-lined Limited.
