2021 Mazda BT-50 debuts with Isuzu D-Max innards

In the pickup-friendly Australian market, the Mazda BT-50 midsize pickup wears a new frock, along with new underpinnings shared with the new Isuzu D-Max.

The 2021 Mazda BT-50 gets a new design that brings it closer to its sister SUV, the Mazda CX-9. The new look is more fitting on the pickup than the old Mazda 6-like face worn by the previous generation BT-50. The 2021 Mazda BT-50 sits on the platform from the new Isuzu D-Max that was launched last year in Thailand.

The platform is not the only thing shared between both midsize pickups. The Mazda BT-50 offers a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and climate control system borrowed from the Isuzu. But if the Mazda makes it to the Middle East, it remains to be seen if these features will be offered, as mid-size pickups are not accepted for anything but commercial purposes here.

The engine of the BT-50 in the Australian market comes from the Isuzu D-Max as well, namely a new 3.0-litre turbodiesel with 188 hp and 450 Nm of torque. This engine displaces the old Ford engine. A smaller engine is expected to be added to the portfolio soon. Six-speed manual or automatic transmissions are offered along with 4X4 or 4X2 drivetrains.

The 2021 Mazda BT-50 will be built alongside the Isuzu D-Max in Thailand and is expected to go on sale in Australia first by the end of this year. While the Mazda pickup used to be offered in the UAE and wider GCC, it is unlikely to make a comeback any time soon.

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