With two badges about to disappear from our ute lineup, Mazda New Zealand could use this opportunity to get new buyers and put pressure on the top players in this segment with the launch of its all-new BT-50.

Priced from $47,490 for the two-wheel-drive GSX to $60,990 for the Limited four-wheel-drive, all of the BT-50s have a 3-litre, diesel engine producing 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed auto transmission and with 3500kg towing.

Mazda is re-entering a busy segment with one out of four new vehicle sales a ute, and 94% of those double cab utes.

Heading the segment is Ford with its Ranger, but Toyota NZ has pushed back with the recent launch of the Hilux, while Mitsubishi is currently third with its Triton.

But gone soon are Holden’s Colorado double cab ute as the brand says good-bye Downunder, and Mercedes-Benz’s X-Class with the German brand ceasing production of its pick-up truck.

Mazda sees its BT-50 has a major point of difference; it’s the safest ute available thanks to a myriad of passive and active features that you’d find in most Mazda SUVs. Actually, Mazda says the BT-50 is the safest vehicle in the whole of its fleet and is class-leading.

But there’s an important factor to remember with the BT-50; it shares the same underpinnings as the recently launched Izusu D-Max, as the two Japanese companies have been working together since 1995.

But Mazda has literally made it its own thanks to the family grille and interior styling.

And here comes the kicker: the top range D-Max X-Terraine is $15,000 more than the Limited BT-50 with the Isuzu gaining Tonneau Cover & Tray Liner and Roof Racks but in all other aspects they the same between the two top-spec utes. 

So, how did Mazda achieve this? 

Planning for the third-generation BT-50 has taken two years, according to Mazda NZ’s product manager, Tim Nalden, who worked closely with the factory on the price. 

Mazda NZ also has wiggle room due to its successful SUV range while Isuzu only two vehicles in our market: the MUX and the D-Max.

Mazda’s design team added Kodo design features to the BT-50, and they wanted to create a ute that was “built for dress and jeans”. Meaning it could be a “nine to five workhorse” that you drive wearing jeans, but in the evening it was fancy enough to park outside a restaurant, like a SUV.

They also see potential BT-50 customers as a “user-chooser buyer” who uses it during the day, but in the weekend it tows the boat, goes to the tip or the hardware store. 

And like the Mazda CX-9 large SUV, it has passenger comforts.

Mazda NZ’s managing director, David Hodge, says the Mazda designers have created a stunning looking vehicle that far exceeds the normal expectations of a truck.

“The exterior of the Mazda BT-50 quietly states class and quality that surpasses others in the segment and one that buyers will be proud to own. We are extremely excited to have the all-new BT-50 as part of the Mazda range and believe Kiwi motorists, who want the versatility a truck offers combined with car-like comfort and refinement, will find it hard to ignore,” he said.

It also gets the Mazda five year “bumper to bumper” factory warranty, five year fixed price service of $250 maximum per service and five-year roadside assistance.