Mazda BT-50 3.0L gets fuel-saving tech, new 2.2L engine added to lineup

While work remains ongoing on an electrified BT-50, the diesel range has been tweaked to cut fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions

Mazda has tweaked the powertrain lineup for its BT-50 ute range in a move designed to reduce fuel consumption (and related CO2 emissions) of the popular 3.0-litre engine and new 2.2-litre unit, the latter replacing the outgoing 1.9-litre motor at the entry point to the BT-50 line-up.

All variants of BT-50 sold in Australia see improvements in their official fuel economy because of the changes, with the fitment of a new auto start-stop system for the 3.0-litre slashing fuel use by as much of 11 percent on paper.

While that appears to be a modest change, it will make a helpful difference to Mazda’s emissions penalties position under Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) laws which penalise carmakers that fail to offset sales of high-CO2 vehicles with EVs and hybrids.

Mazda’s changes do not come for free, however, with BT-50 prices adjusted upward by $450 to $1500 depending on variant while three low-end XS configurations have been added back into the range.

The BT-50, which is a badge-engineered cousin to the Isuzu D-Max, currently ranks sixth in the ute sales race in Australia for 2025, with 10,115 deliveries (2104 4×2 and 8011 4×4) to its name to the end of August. Isuzu, meanwhile, has sold 18,730 D-Max units this year.

Small fuel economy gains make a big difference under NVES

Fuel economy for the lightest, cheapest BT-50 variant equipped with the new 2.2-litre engine (120kW/400Nm) is 6.9L/100km, producing 183g/km of CO2. This compares to the 2025 ‘headline limit’ for utes of 210g/km—which ratchets down to 180g/km in 2026.

That’s a modest improvement of 0.1L/100km (1g/km) compared to the old 1.9-litre engine, but the 2.2 makes 10kW/50Nm more grunt while also shuffling through a more flexible eight-speed torque converter automatic.

Meanwhile, the updated 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel (which produces 140kW/450Nm) retains its six-speed auto’ but its idle-stop system sees it slash as much as 0.9L/100km (or 20g/km) compared to BT-50s without this tech.

Both the 2.2-litre and 3.0-litre engines, sourced from Isuzu, can be had with 4×2 (rear-wheel drive) or part-time 4×4 drivelines.

Hybrid BT-50 likely in future, electric version avoided for now

Mazda and Isuzu are understood to be exploring options for a future hybrid powertrain to be used in the BT-50 and D-Max cousins in a bid for NVES compliance.

Isuzu, which does not have a low-CO2 passenger car lineup to offset diesel ute emissions, will import an 4×4 electric D-Max to Australia with 1000kg payload, 3500kg towing, but with a small battery (to preserve payload) limiting driving range to approximately 260km.

Mazda is not understood to be interested in rebadging a version of the electric D-Max to create a BEV BT-50 with such specifications.

BT-50 equipment: XS, XT, XTR, GT and SP

The new 2.2-litre diesel engine is only available in conjunction with the entry-grade BT-50 XS variant (from $37,900 plus-on road costs). The XS grade can be had in single or dual cab-chassis form factors, or a dual cab pick-up shape.

XS versions include 17-inch silver steel wheels, an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, LED headlights, DAB+ digital radio, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning.

From the second-tier XT (from $40,400 + ORCs) upward, only the 3.0-litre engine is available. The XT adds 17-inch black alloy wheels while pick-up versions also pick up a reversing camera. XT is also where the Freestyle cab becomes an option.

Third-tier XTR (from $54,240 + ORCs) brings silver/black alloys, dual-zone climate control, a larger nine-inch touchscreen, integrated satellite navigation, keyless entry to the front doors, folding mirrors, side steps, a leather steering wheel/shifter and included tow bar into the mix.

Stepping into the GT (from $64,520 + ORCs) adds further luxuries in the form of genuine leather trim, heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, remote engine start, front parking sensors, and heated mirrors and front parking sensors.

The ultimate BT-50 spec, the SP, costs $71,950 + ORCs in dual cab pick-up format only. SP gains unique black alloys, black/terracotta vinyl/suede seat upholstery, an exterior black pack (roof rails, side steps, door handles, sail plane sports bar and grille), and a roller tonneau cover.