Mazda BT-50 4x2 AT

In a segment where decals, graphics, and brawny designs are the norm, the much-anticipated BT-50 is a refreshing sight. Relying mostly on the 12-year-old Kodo design language, this third-generation model is the best example of minimalist exterior on a vehicle.

Despite sharing the base structure, body shell and the wing mirrors from the all-new Isuzu D-Max, the panels laid over by Mazda still give it a distinctly smooth look. It doesn’t usually work on trucks, but somehow, it’s done just right on the BT-50.

The new Mazda grille has finally caught up with it too. I thought it would be bigger because that would be more stunning. There’s plenty of thick chrome around it and even stretches a bit under the LED headlamps. The bumper is a bit of an odd shape but it works and on either side are the fog lamps.

I like how the hood isn’t flat, and the striations make it appear even thicker. Here is where you’ll see the most lines on the body. There’s a faint character line but it’s barely noticeable.

It doesn’t have roof rails but comes with aluminum side steps and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Mazda avoids making the BT-50 appear like just another pickup, especially after the fact that it’s actually a shared product with Isuzu. Stare at it all you want, there isn’t a hint that it isn’t a homegrown model. It’s a masterful job by the designers staying true to the design philosophy.

It's a little disappointing for a mid-level trim to not have a smart-entry system and worse, key-in ignition. It sounds a little jaded but the market is spoiled rotten so expectations have gone up.

The black fabric (with leather inserts) six-way manually-adjustable seats are understandable. I was half-expecting leather on the multi-function steering wheel just so the cabin can somewhat match the sophisticated styling. Unfortunately, it’s only urethane.

Contrary to the exterior, cockpit design is rather plain. Nothing fancy here except for the seven-inch LCD display. It comes with Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto and even wireless Apple CarPlay. Audio is piped through six speakers. It doesn’t use the same operating system as the brand’s SUVs, crossovers, and cars. It feels inferior and the fact that there’s a touchscreen is weird because Mazda just removed that very feature in the 3 (it uses a Commander Control knob).

There’s a small leather trim on top of the dashboard but most surfaces are hard plastic. It has silver accents, around the vents and the gear shifter, and a rotary single-zone, manual climate control system.

Headroom is good and while the seat could get better bolstering, I like how it’s very easy to adjust to the proper driving position. There are enough holders/storage spaces for a five-seater cabin and there’s even an upper glove box for valuables. It isn’t a plush cabin by any measure but the basics are there.

The 3.0L 4JJ3-TCX engine it shares with Isuzu is powerful and combined with the unusually light steering makes this 2.5-ton truck feel remarkably light — even on a three-point turn. And it even gets lighter on the highway, like a tall sedan with a grunty engine. Power output isn’t at the top of the segment, but it isn’t in last place either. At 190 PS and 450 Nm of torque, it’s just 14 PS and 50 Nm shy of the top-spec Hilux. Transmission is a six-speed AT gearbox.

Acceleration is good and if you hit 3,000 RPM, prepare to feel some of that Mazda ‘zoom-zoom’. Regardless of the high revs, in combined driving conditions, it still returned a thrifty 10.1 kilometers per liter.

Ride is typical of a modern pickup truck. It delivers SUV comfort on well-paved roads but the stiff suspension is palpable over rough asphalt and humps. Rollover resistance isn’t very high, which is also normal for vehicles of this type.

Safety features include a reverse parking camera, ABS, electronic stability control, and dual front airbags. The top-of-the-line Mazda Active Safety Technology is only available on the 4x4 AT.

Mazda only offers the BT-50 in three trims and as mentioned, this is the middle. At P1.430 million, it lacks some of the cabin features its competitors offer like dual-zone climate control, smart entry, Push-Start system. And it definitely needs to import the Commander Control knob so the infotainment system operates like all the other Mazdas.

This collab with Isuzu gave it a great engine and the designers laid over a really nice body on it. It’s short of a few more amenities that I expect to see in the facelift, but when it comes to looks, efficiency, and capability, the Mazda BT-50, it’s got game.