Our Favourite Upgrades in the New 2025 Mazda BT-50
Posted in Vehicle Reviews
Our Favourite Upgrades in the New 2025 Mazda BT-50
If you're already a BT-50 owner or just someone who appreciates a solid, no-nonsense ute, then you've probably heard whispers about the new 2025 Mazda BT-50.
No, it’s not a full overhaul—but calling it “just a facelift” sells it short. This one’s packed with smart tweaks and solid upgrades that make a difference where it counts.
Let’s run through some of the most interesting changes, from head-turning design shifts to stuff you’ll actually feel on the worksite or trail.
That Bold New Front End? Yep, We Noticed
Right off the bat, you’ll clock the redesigned front grille.
It’s chunkier, sharper, and that oversized Mazda badge? Not subtle—and that’s the point.
The new bumper has an integrated air curtain, which sounds fancy but basically just helps cut through the air better and saves you a bit on fuel.
Pair that with the updated LED headlights and fog lights (which now match the style of Mazda’s SUV range), and you’ve got a ute that actually looks like it means business.
Red Earth Metallic Paint—A Nod to the Aussie Bush
Here’s where Mazda gets a little poetic.
The new hero colour, Red Earth Metallic, is clearly aimed at the Aussie crowd. It's got that dusty, rugged tone that looks just as good parked outside a job site as it does kicking up red dirt out bush.
Mazda clearly knows its market—they’re not trying to reinvent the wheel. They're just making it look damn good.
Inside the Cabin? It’s Still Tough, But Smarter Now
Mazda hasn’t gone soft on the interior, but they’ve made some tweaks that’ll make long days in the cab a bit easier. For starters, the infotainment system finally catches up to the times—wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is now standard across the board (no more dangling cables in the console, thank you very much).
Touchscreens have also been bumped up in size, and there’s now a 7-inch digital driver display in most models. Add in retained physical knobs for volume and climate (thank god someone’s still doing that), and you’ve got a setup that’s smart without being annoying.
Oh, and the new off-road display? You can check your diff lock status, tyre pressures, tilt angles—you name it. Handy for those "let’s just send it and see what happens" tracks.
More Eyes on the Road—And Behind It
Mazda’s throwing serious tech at safety this time around.
The stereo front cameras have had their field of view doubled, which just means they can see more of what’s going on around you.
More importantly, there's now Traffic Jam Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Braking—ideal for the city-bound tradie dodging delivery vans and clueless drivers.
The enhanced AEB can now spot motorcycles and pedestrians, which is a big deal in real-world driving. Basically, the ute’s now got a second pair of eyes—ones that don’t blink.
Rough Terrain Mode Is a Quiet Game-Changer
Look, this one’s a bit under the radar, but if you’ve ever found yourself halfway through a boggy paddock or rocky track wondering if you’re about to spend the next hour digging yourself out, this matters.
Rough Terrain Mode is only on 4x4s, but it fine-tunes traction control for slow-speed off-roading. It won’t turn the BT-50 into a LandCruiser, but it will get you out of spots that used to require momentum (and sometimes a prayer).
And the locking rear diff is now standard on all 4x4s. That should’ve been a thing years ago.
The Little Stuff? Actually Pretty Handy
Tailgate assist is now standard from the XT upwards, and yeah, that sounds small—until you’re juggling gear in one hand and trying not to drop the tray on your toe.
The redesigned tailgate also features a soft-damped ‘easy-down’ system and some mountain-inspired ridges, which are apparently for looks but might also help with grip.
It's the sort of low-key improvement that makes life smoother in small ways.
No More Manuals, But More Kit for Everyone
Here’s the one that might divide the crowd: manual transmissions are gone. Like, completely. It’s auto-only from here on out. Mazda reckons most people had already moved on—and honestly, for tradies crawling through traffic or towing heavy loads, they’re probably right.
On the upside, every trim level now gets more standard gear than before. Even the base XS comes better equipped, and the SP is now the top dog since the Thunder's been retired.
Plus, over 100 genuine accessories are available, and if you fit them at delivery, they’re covered under warranty. Not bad at all.
Final Thoughts: Not Revolutionary—But Definitely Better
The 2025 BT-50 isn’t about flashy reinvention. It’s about tightening the bolts, shaving off rough edges, and giving drivers a smarter, safer, better-looking ute without messing with what already works.
And if that’s not what most ute buyers actually want—well, we don’t know what is.
Are you in the market for an upgrade? Drop into Browns Plains Mazda to check out the new BT-50 or book a test drive today.
